Michael S Neall Law Offices

I had a dispute with my HOA over a $220 bill that I received for 4 months of dues during a period where we went without a management company. I explained to my HOA, Legacy at Lincoln Park, that it does not seem right to charge our residents for 4 months where no services were rendered. As a result, I was sent to collections at this law firm. I had never been sent to collections before, so the experience was already pretty unsettling. That is my issue with LaLP, not Michael Neall and Associates.I explained to American Management Company exactly why I was unwilling to pay the bill and told them that if they wished to pursue this further, to have their attorney's contact me. Yes, I said that.I received a notice that they would be putting a lien on my property NOT JUST for the $220.48 but for an additional $369.50 in various legal and administrative fees. I called the law offices and told them I was willing to pay the $220.48 but these fees are ridiculous, especially since our HOA already budgets a substantial amount of our fees to attorney's hired specifically to collect this money. To me, it seems like I'm paying twice. I called the law offfices, left a message and got a prompt return call from someone named Richard. Did not get his last name. He informed me that I must pay the full amount. I asked Richard why I was never informed that these additional fees would apply. I told him that I was willing to pay the $220.48 (even though, it seemed crazy to pay a management company for doing nothing for 1/3rd of the year) but that I was never told that these additional fees would be assessed if the matter was turned over to an attorney. I wanted the matter turned over to an attorney. In my mind, I felt the charges were unjustified and I wanted a lawyer to tell me exactly why I should pay. That's not what I got. What I got was an additional bill and what Richard said to me is: "You were told. It's written in your HOA agreement." I asked him where specifically it says that. He said: "Listen, you're going to argue with me. You're going to do your little dance..." That's when i stopped listening to Richard. All I wanted was for someone to explain to me why it makes sense to pay for services that were never rendered. What I got was a self-righteous, condescending little man telling me: "It's in there." Nice job, Richard.