R.S. from Hartford County, Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Do I need an attorney to represent me? There was a fire in my building. The building will be knocked down and rebuilt. My unit received smoke and water damage. I have homeowner’s insurance for my contents but not sure if I need an attorney to represent me.
Mister Condo replies:
R.S., I am sorry that you and your fellow unit owners experienced such a loss. I hope there were no injuries. While it wouldn’t hurt to consult with an attorney, I am not sure you will need one if everyone does what they are supposed to do. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be able to get reimbursement for your temporary housing while your condo is rebuilt. Provided the rebuild goes smoothly and quickly, you may be back in your new home before your insurance coverage runs out. This may sound strange but you still owe common fees and assessments even while you do not have a physical unit to live in. That is because your ownership of the property means you are still a member of the association. As such, you still need to pay common fees and assessments even though you are not physically in the property. Additionally, as long as your insurer pays for your losses to your satisfaction, you may have no need for an attorney. I am a big fan of protecting your legal rights and I have an attorney on retainer as a matter of course. You might want to SPEAK to an attorney just to make sure you don’t NEED an attorney. If it turns out you do, the attorney you consulted with would be familiar with your case and would likely represent you if needed. Good luck!