Condo Media - December 2018 - 52
The Region
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Battle Plans
Why Planning Applies to Legal Actions
[by Gary M. Daddario, Esq., CCAL]
I begin with the obvious acknowledgement-boards, unit owners, and
association managers really do not want
to be involved with litigation. For that
matter, even an association's attorney,
if they share genuine concern for the
association's best interests, should not
want to see an association embroiled in
litigation. In New Hampshire, the stakes
are higher because the New Hampshire
Condominium Act now includes a "to
the victor go the spoils" provision.
Unlike some other states, including
Massachusetts, where legal fees can
only shift in favor of the association
(meaning that the unit owner could
have to pay the association's legal fees),
in New Hampshire the prevailing party
may have their legal fees paid regardless
52
CONDOMEDIA December 2018
of whether the association or the unit
owner prevails. Despite any drawbacks,
however, litigation is a reality of life.
Sometimes, despite an association's
best efforts towards other alternatives,
litigation is necessary for dealing with a
problematic situation.
It is a truism that litigation costs
time, effort, and money. My point in this
article is to guide associations towards
minimizing some of those struggles. It
is almost always the case that the types
of situations leading to courtroom
litigation are "there's trouble brewing"
situations. In other words, very often
the parties to a litigation can see it
coming. So, how does one minimize the
pain? Through what I will call "litigation planning."
IMPLEMENTING A GOOD PLAN
If the association is going to be the
plaintiff (the party making the compliant) then the association is also going
to bear the burden of proof. Typically,
the association is the plaintiff. For
example, this is the case if the association is alleging: 1) a construction
defect by the developer; 2) a breach of
contract by a vendor; 3) unpaid assessments by a unit owner; or 4) misconduct by a unit owner or resident. One
way to take the sting out of preparing
the case is to do so gradually as the
situation progresses. Once a situation
that might lead to litigation is identified, I recommend that the association
locate and secure cooperation from
potential witnesses. I also advise that
Condo Media - December 2018
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Condo Media - December 2018
Contents
Condo Media - December 2018 - Cover1
Condo Media - December 2018 - Cover2
Condo Media - December 2018 - Contents
Condo Media - December 2018 - 2
Condo Media - December 2018 - 3
Condo Media - December 2018 - 4
Condo Media - December 2018 - 5
Condo Media - December 2018 - 6
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Condo Media - December 2018 - Cover4
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