Category: Real Estate Law
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DEBT COLLECTION: A BASIC SUMMARY
January 19, 2015 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.by: Karen Kurth and Timothy Erb For most homeowners associations, owners of property within the association are bound to pay annual or monthly assessments to the association to cover common expenses incurred by the association to operate the association. The amount and nature of the common expenses will vary depending upon whether or not the association is a condominium, attached town-home, detached town-home or single family home association. Such common expenses often cover costs incurred by the association related to insurance, maintenance, property management, and other costs incurred by the association to own or maintain common elements. The declaration, which is recorded against title to the property, not only typically requires each owner to pay assessments, but also specifies the items the association is to maintain, insure or otherwise address. These expenditures comprise the common expenses. The declaration may specify that each property owner is to pay an equal share of common expenses or some other allocation of common expenses which is based upon differences in square footage, architectural product or other similar rational distinctions. The declaration and/or statutory authority may also specify that the owner is also required to pay late payment fees and attorneys’ fees incurred by the association to collect the unpaid assessments and that such fees become part of…
Read MoreAttorney Thomas R. Wentzell joins Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
December 15, 2014 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.Barna, Guzy & Steffen LTD. announces the addition of a new associate to our firm. Thomas R. Wentzell has joined the firm’s Real Estate and Banking Law departments. He will be working closely with attorneys practicing in the firm’s growing Real Estate and Banking areas serving existing clients and enhancing the firm’s ability to serve new areas of the community. Tom was a law clerk for Barna, Guzy & Steffen’s Business and Employment Law Litigation group from January 2012-April 2013 while he was completing his law degree at University of St. Thomas School of Law. He is returning to the firm from his recent position as a Compliance Analyst at Ameriprise Financial in Minneapolis. Tom graduated cum laude from University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2013 ranked 18 of 156. He was a recipient of the Dean’s Award (highest grade in class) – Lawyering Skills I, made the Dean’s list and received a President’s Scholarship. Tom earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from St. John’s University in 2007 where he graduated magna cum laude, received All-College Honors and played Varsity football. He is excited about this new opportunity in his legal career and says, “Coming back to BGS, I am looking forward to helping clients and growing professionally. I…
Read MoreThorson, Seykora, and Erb Re-certified as Real Propert Law Specialists
May 22, 2014 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.The Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) announces the re-certification of Steve G. Thorson, Charles M. Seykora and Timothy D. Erb of Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd. as MSBA Board Certified Real Property Law Specialists. This Certification program is administered by the MSBA and approved by the State Board of Legal Certification. The certified specialist designation is earned by leading attorneys who have completed a rigorous approval process, including an examination in the specialty area, peer review, and documented experience. Certified attorneys have demonstrated superior knowledge, skill and integrity in their specific field and can use the designation of specialist to advertise their credentials. The MSBA has been accredited as an independent professional organization for certifying attorneys as Criminal Law Specialists, Real Property Law Specialists, Civil Trial Law Specialists and Labor and Employment Law Specialists. This achievement has been earned by fewer than 3% of all licensed Minnesota attorneys. More information about Certified Legal Specialists is at MSBA Certification. With over 16,000 members, the MSBA is the state’s largest and most influential voluntary organization of attorneys, providing continuing legal education and public service opportunities for lawyers, and assistance to the legal system. The MSBA has been accredited as an independent professional organization for certifying attorneys as Real Property Law Specialists since 1988. 600 Nicollet…
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