Melyssa Davidson, partner at the law firm Morris Sperry, has seen the situation play out time and again between a homeowners association and its manager. The parties have a dispute, and the legal agreement they signed is poorly drafted, or they don’t have one at all.
A lawsuit typically follows, as do the legal fees. It’s a nasty situation for all involved. And that’s why Morris Sperry is set to offer a free seminar Tuesday on how it can be avoided.
"I don’t know that they’re super common, but when they do happen, they can be incredibly contentious and expensive," Davidson said. "The dispute can lead to litigation that can drag on for years. Legal costs can easily run you $60,000 to $100,000. If you’d spent a little more on the front end, putting together a clear agreement, you could have avoided the whole problem."
In addition to tips on how to ensure legal protection in the event of a dispute between homeowners association and manager, the law firm will offer free management contract templates. Robert Rosing, also a partner at Morris Sperry, which represents more than 350 homeowners associations, said the templates are written to ensure protection for both sides.
In addition to the legal advice, the event will include free appetizers, beer and wine. It is set to be held at Red Rock Brewery, 1640 Redstone Center Drive, at 6:30 p.m. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Carolyn Lott at 435-575-9000.