What is the role of your CAM (Community Association Manger) versus that of your Association Board? Ask any homeowner or Board Member what they think the role of the CAM is and undoubtedly based on how many people were asked you will get that number in different answers! If you live in a community … [Read more...]
Mediation – and Your HOA
Oftentimes when someone mentions mediation, divorce instantly comes to mind, not how it applies to your HOA. Some states have adopted mediation as the “go to” standard in HOA disputes prior to entering litigation. The State of Florida Homeowners Association Act requires presuit mediation before … [Read more...]
The Effective Mediator
Robert Angyal SC writes a great series on LinkedIn about the qualities one should expect in a great mediator. This week he discusses expertise in mediating versus knowledge of the subject in dispute. Why do I gravitate toward this post in particular? Because as a non-attorney mediator aka “The … [Read more...]
What Goes Around Comes Around
Football moms can be a great bunch of women to hang out with and can be brutal during game day, particularly to their opposing teams’ moms. I speak from first-hand experience at a spring league travel game double header when the mom’s from the ‘other’ team just couldn't help themselves and decided … [Read more...]
A Brief History of the HOA…Ever Wonder Where It All Began?
Depending upon your age or chosen profession, or where you grew up, curiosity or love of American history, you may or may not know of Levittown, New York. In 1947 the construction firm Levitt & Sons began building the first development of tract housing. This development occurred in response … [Read more...]
5 FAQ’s re: Mediation vs. Litigation in Less Than 60 Seconds
Quicker Process: Mediation is a scheduled conference which may last a few hours or 1 to 2 days and is much quicker than going to trial; which can take weeks or months to prepare for, prior to your case being heard. More affordable: When you use a Mediator, you avoid the fees that accompany going … [Read more...]
Passenger Means “LIVING” Person
I prefer to write articles geared toward cases involving social change, issues that are meaningful and affect our lives or the lives of others, in a positive way. I also seek to find where mediation, particularly civil mediation, would assist in resolving the issue presented or could have offered a … [Read more...]
A Nice Old Man Just Wants To Do Good Deeds
A nice old man just wants to do good deeds and feed the homeless. The only problem is that as of October 31, 2014 the City of Fort Lauderdale in Broward County, Florida enacted law restricting where “outdoor feeding sites can be located” and that those distributing food must obtain the permission of … [Read more...]
A comedy of errors…dream come true or worst nightmare?
Earlier in October I posted on Facebook a link to a great story out of Flagler County, Florida “A comedy of errors...an attorney's dream, and the perfect opportunity to engage a Mediator. Unbelievable all this was built in 6 months and alas...on the WRONG lot!!!” The story, a debacle in a community … [Read more...]
Why Choose Mediation? It is more affordable than litigation
A lawsuit can be an expensive (and stressful) process! Using a mediator can ease this process. Legal disputes are charged with emotion and uncertainty - no one goes into court knowing the outcome. Mediation empowers the parties because they come to the table with self-determination and with a … [Read more...]