( CORONA   in sync with   ALTACITIES ) Our common interest development, aka homeowner association (or HOA) has a monthly newsletter.  The November 2015 issue has a helpful chart about how and where our monthly dues are allocated. To be specific, $80.90 of our $273.00 base dues are allocated for administrative expense.  That expense category includes legal services, but the specific legal expenses are not detailed due to confidentiality and attorney-client privileges. Because an HOA is, in fact, a nonprofit community benefit corporation, legal services are necessary and vital, starting with the drafting of bylaws and the covenants, rules, and regulations (CC&Rs). But beyond tending to the creation and modification of these documents, legal counsel is always involved in dispute and conflict resolution within and around the association.  To learn more about the legal affairs of HOAs, read about the Davis-Stirling Law  (DSL) in California. Without...

Baby boomers today in California are notable for their purchases of retirement homes or second homes South of the Border and even in some South America countries. Smart buys outside the USA require some extra due diligence and inspection of legal pitfalls. As noted in the following clips, errors of judgment or failure to obtain all the details may result in a sudden loss of ownership after a significant investment of life savings. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES ® [ View the story "Beware of Mexican condo heists" on Storify ] "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear o... #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) May 21, 2015

The greatest problem with noisy neighbors in our HOA community of 1317 residents has not been on the streets and in our dwellings, but in our board meetings where, from time to time, the noise level rises due to some political or governance issue. However, we know from the following accounts, this is not the typical "noise problem" for HOA and condo living. [ View the story "Condos: The silent spring?" on Storify ] Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner Not sure what to do next? Get a legal roadmap with Avvo Advisor. get a quick, free response to your legal question today!