[ValkyrieWings]

Is there a way to tell if an area you want to claim is or may overlap an area that is already claimed by someone else? for example is there a command that would display a grid of selected areas? I'm so paranoid that the area I'm building and planning on expanding into will start to be claimed or part of it is already claimed by another player.

[Brianetta]

Yes, there is. You will need a stick. Right-clicking on a claimed block with a stick will identify the owner, and will highlight the edges and corners of the claim.

There is no equivalent of /towny map, if that is what you're used to.