Comments on: Representing Yourself – Flash of Genius or Shower of Stupidity?

By: htsyl

htsyl — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:41:27 +0000

I certainly hear you and you have clearly had a string of bad experiences. Most of your observations are correct, albeit emotionally charged! I would be very careful about posting anything other than actual court documents on the Internet. It is best not to do things that could subject you to possible criminal or civil claims – it can end up making a bad situation even worse. Tape recordings are great, but check your local state laws about taping conversations without notice or permission. It is easy to be controlled by your own anger and frustration in these circumstances, but there does come a time when it serves your own psyche best to put it behind you. Yes, they will have to notify their malpractice insurance carrier if you sue them; that is, if they carry malpractice insurance. I have found that a simple letter to the attorney stating that they need to put their carrier on notice of a possible claim can work wonders, too. Hope your situation gets resolved – just don’t burn yourself out fighting the fight – live to fight another day.

By: Moi

Moi — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 01:08:23 +0000

By all means if you can get a lawyer you should. Sometimes though, the only way they will ever be sued or exposed is to do it yourself unfortunately. This is especially true if you’re a female. Women are a lot more likely to fall victim because they’re not as afraid of you. and the good ol’ boys make it especially hard on women by putting the word out you’re “crazy”. With the misogyny and double standard in the south, that is nearly insurmountable when you had a smaller case to begin with, and CHANCES ARE you DID or they would have handled it properly to begin with!. Whose gonna screw up a lucrative case?! Lawyers who sue lawyers are few and far between as it is but the big malpractice lawyers with the necessary resources are like rock stars who don’t even publish a phone number. You fill out the email form and when they find out the underlying case was less than $300, 000, you never hear back no matter how egregious it may have been. I’ve heard of a few who will take a case for as little as $100,000, but that’s only when it’s a very simple case of negligence per se or something easily as proven and inexpensive. Clients with cases less than that are the ones who need the protection of the Bar because there is no incentive for another attorney to take the case and these sleaze balls KNOW it going in. This is made especially more burdensome because he doesn’t DO Discovery in the underlying case and then you are left having to try to backtrack and try two entire cases in one, adding to the strain and expense.

By: htsyl

htsyl — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:57:31 +0000

As you know, I am not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice. You also do not provide any information about your personal background or experience. While I am not always a big fan of lawyers and frequently find their tactics or motives to be suspect, they do serve a purpose. Homeowners associations are difficult beasts as well. They probably have legal counsel on retainer, so you would not be in court against the jerk that runs the HOA, you’d be up against a lawyer getting paid by the hour with your HOA dues. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to at least consult with an attorney who has experience with HOA’s to see if you really have a case that is worth your time and aggravation. Good luck either way – I don’t envy someone in a dispute with their HOA!

By: MikeR

MikeR — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 13:16:12 +0000

Hi,
I am thinking about suing my homeowners association without a lawyer.
I think the case would end at the motions phase.
The only thing I worry about is some obtuse judge who would side with the HOA. I have heard that this is the rule, not the exception.
Do you have any experience with HOAs? I have researched them nationwide and can not believe how abusive and 3rd worldish they are!
Thanks in advance for any information you may share!

Mike

By: government grants

government grants — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:01:45 +0000

Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article