[Frupal]

In August 2019, two of my neighbors and I filed a suit against our condo homeowner’s association over parking spots. I did not see an invoice until May, 2020, when I got a bill for over 7K. Last week the bill increased to almost 14k. My intake agreement clearly stated that we would get periodic statements. I plan to object, of course on the basis that had I been advised, monthly, or even quarterly, I would have withdrawn from the case, long before the fees got so high. The lawyers lost the case, and now the HOA is about to hit the three of us up for their lawyers fees as well. Should my lawyer hold firm, would it do any good to go to bar association arbitration?

[chassis]

Time to get another lawyer, to fight the legal fees.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by chassis

Time to get another lawyer, to fight the legal fees.

Nevada laws. But yeah, buy an hours consultation with a good lawyer.

[TheWatchGuy]

it always amazes me when people file suits and dont realize the cost to go through with them or that if you lose, youre probably gonna have to pay the other sides fees as well.

[2000cs]

Itemized bill, then either dispute or work with the atty to get it adjusted down. I’ve found law firms to be pretty good to work with on billing, and in your case if as described you have a legitimate reason to question the amount, process (lack of interim bills), and amount. Hopefully your atty will work with you.

[dreamingat30fps]

What I really want to know is wtf was the HOA doing to warrant spending that kind of $$ to MAYBE get it resolved?????

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Itemized bill, then either dispute or work with the atty to get it adjusted down. I’ve found law firms to be pretty good to work with on billing, and in your case if as described you have a legitimate reason to question the amount, process (lack of interim bills), and amount. Hopefully your atty will work with you.

Yes. Try to remain calm but i'd be explaining that this was over billed for what it is and that you're not rich and they did not give you periodic statements as agreed. Don't think you'll need to arbitrate this puppy - aint worth it for anyone. I will bet dollars to donuts you can get it down to near half. Also ask for a payment plan or something if you need it. Remember for the future you can cap the fees to $x dollar so they won't just keeping working and billing.

[BimmerDimmer6]

Get it knocked down and tell them the most you can afford is $1 per month. Play hard ball with them. Their just lawyers.

[Frupal]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

What I really want to know is wtf was the HOA doing to warrant spending that kind of $$ to MAYBE get it resolved?????

For over 40 years, the parking spots in our building were traded and sold among the homeowners. This was technically against the bylaws, as spaces are all owned by the association and they can technically assign them as they wish.

One day the board decided that they would take them all back and reassign them. Many of us lost our spots. Three board members acquired extra spots, as did a friend of theirs that doesn’t even live in the building. It was reprehensible, immoral, and wrong.

Three of us decided to sue. I think we should have won, but we did not.

not only did we lose, but the court awarded the board attorney fees. So now I’m on the hook for that too.

Problem is, the board has access to all of the money in the association. It’s like fighting city hall. My advice - my LESSON. Don’t do it. If an HOA board pisses you off, move.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by Frupal

For over 40 years, the parking spots in our building were traded and sold among the homeowners. This was technically against the bylaws, as spaces are all owned by the association and they can technically assign them as they wish.

Seems pretty cut and dry to me... might be a dick move, but unfortunately it's not illegal to be a dick. We lucked out with our HOA it's pretty chill, however I have seen some real disasters. The HOA at the condo my mom owns is completely insane. I remember going to one of their meetings once while I was living there for college. The board literally started yelling at the owners who were asking questions, told them to fuck off and left.

I remember my gf use to work for a big law firm at the time in the area and she talked to them about what could be done. They basically told her that the HOA was already a client of theirs so it would be a conflict of interest. So these fuckers already had a big law firm on retainer for them.

[RickFLM4]

Did one of your neighbors engage the attorney. Are you sure it’s being truly split 3 ways?

[David70]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Itemized bill, then either dispute or work with the atty to get it adjusted down. I’ve found law firms to be pretty good to work with on billing, and in your case if as described you have a legitimate reason to question the amount, process (lack of interim bills), and amount. Hopefully your atty will work with you.

Last thing they want to do is to take it to court as they realize how time consuming and expensive it can be to collect. Same reason everyone else should use court as the last resort and be pretty sure they will win or don't bother.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by David70

Last thing they want to do is to take it to court as they realize how time consuming and expensive it can be to collect. Same reason everyone else should use court as the last resort and be pretty sure they will win or don't bother.

Aint exactly good for optics either!

[MisterF80M3]

Is your neighbor's name on the suit as well or just yours? 5k per person is a lot better than 15k.

[IrishNoodles]

Did your intake agreement state what the definition of periodic statements was? If not, you are SOL. You got an invoice in May 2020 and one in August 2020 - so that is "periodic statements".

Also, you had no chance of winning this law suit because the HOA did exactly what they were entitled to do.

[eluded]

Fight but the HOAs are run by lawyers. Good luck

[EL Jeffe 5]

hire someone to have polite conversation with you layer if you catching my drift
maybe after hours when they leave law firm office
you can settle this for less than 5k

[unluky]

Best way to deal with asshole HOA boards? Vote them out.