Question: Is an Association
required to pay a yearly retainer to the Firm?
Answer: NO,
the Firm does not charge a yearly retainer fee.
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Question: Is an Association
required to advance costs or attorney’s fees in
collection matters?
Answer: NO.
The Firm advances ALL costs associated with collection
matters such as filing fees, process service charges and
recording charges. Under normal circumstances, attorney’s
fees and costs are collected directly from the property
owner(s). Unlike some Firms that may request several hundred
dollars to initiate a foreclosure action, we do not require
the prepayment of costs, thereby allowing the Association
the opportunity to maintain its cash flow.
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Question: Does the
Firm have its status reports available online?
Answer: YES!
The Firm provides internet based access to its status
reports at no charge to the Association. In keeping with
our philosophy of maintaining effective communication
with our clients, property managers and Board Presidents
or other designated individuals are provided with a secure
internet based username and password which is used to
log into our client database on the Firm's website. Status
reports are viewable online and can be read, sorted by
various means and printed at the will of the user. Most
importantly, the status reports are produced in "real
time" meaning that what is seen on the web site and
its reports are current and reflect the most up to date
information available. As always, status reports can also
be mailed and or faxed to our clients in the event that
they do not have a computer or internet access.
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Question: What type
of information does the status report contain?
Answer: Status
reports contain a chronology of each and every file from
the time the file was received to the time it is closed.
Matters include, but are not limited to collection files,
mortgage foreclosures, document amendment(s) bankruptcy
files and general counsel matters.
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Question: What type
of software will I need to access the Firm's status reports?
Answer: NONE!!
All access is provided online through the users browser
and does not require any special software or downloads.
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Question: Does the
Firm perform only collection functions for Community Associations?
Answer: NO.
In addition to collection matters which include demand
letters, claims of lien and subsequent lien foreclosures,
our attorneys handle most matters related to Community
Associations. Our services include, but are not limited
to: covenant enforcement, preparation of governing documents
and revisions, document amendments, condominium arbitration,
mediation, complaints for injunctive relief, construction
litigation, contract review, drafting of opinion letters,
interpleader actions, breach of contract claims, review
of Association loan documents etc. We also have of counsel
relationships through our Law Firm with attorneys who
handle personal injury, medical malpractice, wills, trust
and estate planning.
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Question: What rates
the does the Firm charge its clients?
Answer: Our
rates are market competitive and range from $135.00 per
hour for junior associates to $185.00 per hour for senior
partners. Attorney’s fees vary in rate depending
on the complexity of the matters being handled. Associations
should keep in mind however that with respect to the attorneys
fees charged on collection matters that all attorney’s
fees and costs are billed to the delinquent property owner(s)
and under most circumstances, are collected from the property
owner(s).
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Question: Does the
Firm require its clients to sign a contract for representation?
Answer: Yes, our
clients each sign an agreement for representation. Our
agreement for representation is structured so that the
Association may terminate the agreement at any time.
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Question: Will the
Firm work with property owners in collection by allowing
them to enter into repayment agreements to pay their delinquent
accounts?
Answer: Yes.
With the authorization of our clients, we do prepare and
monitor payment agreements. Generally, the agreements
are kept to a six (6) month maximum duration and also
require the property owner(s) to remain current with the
Association during the term of the agreement (which would
include payment of maintenance as well as any special
assessments and any new or changed assessments which come
due).
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Question: If a Board
member or property owner calls the office, will they be
able to speak with an attorney or paralegal?
Answer: Yes.
Our attorneys and staff pride themselves on a high level
of client contact and take every step required to facilitate
effective communication. Generally, when someone calls
the office, either the attorney or a member of his or
her team will personally handle the call and attempt to
answer the caller’s questions. Our phones are answered
by a bilingual receptionist who will identify the caller
and route them to the proper person. Our Firm does not
believe that calls should be answered by an automated
attendant advising callers to submit all questions in
writing. We believe that the most effective way to handle
calls is as they come in, as many of the calls require
just a simple answer to achieve the desired result.
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Question: How does
the Firm disburse funds to its clients?
Answer: As
payments come in, they are deposited into the Firm’s
Trust Account. Once the funds have cleared, they are distributed
to pay off attorney’s costs and then attorney’s
fees. Since the Firm has advanced all of the costs and
deferred collection of its fees, same are disbursed as
payments are received. Generally speaking, if an account
is on a payment agreement, the first payment usually covers
all, or a majority of the attorney’s fees and costs.
Once attorney’s fees and costs are paid, subsequent
payments received are processed with the funds being disbursed
directly to the Association. Since Associations are not
for profit, most Associations cannot afford to wait until
the conclusion of a case to receive their funds and the
timely disbursement of funds during the pendency of a
case greatly helps an Association to maintain cash flow.
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Question: How does
the Firm utilize technology to assist in the representation
of its clients?
Answer: The
Firm utilizes a customized office wide collection database,
calendar program and legal research programs which allows
for the efficient and accurate processing of accounts
from start to finish. Additionally, each team member has
their own email address within the Firm and frequently
communicates both with clients and property owners using
email.
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Question: How long
does it take to process a new account once it is turned
over to the Firm for collection?
Answer: The
Firm strives to open and process all accounts within forty
eight (48) business hours after receipt.
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