OUR FIRM'S MISSION: To advise associations on how to govern their community responsibly and efficiently in a way that will promote harmony among residents; and to do so in compliance with the Board’s obligations and authority under the law.

Please click the button at the bottom of this page to schedule a consultation

What the Law Office of Denise M. DeBelle Can Do for Your Condominium community:

Advice and Guidance to Solve Problems

Examples of assistance our firm can provide to your community:

• Review and interpretation of the governing documents of the Condominium
• Advice on rule making, and how to amend your declaration and by-laws
• Drafting amendments to documents and Board rules
• Drafting of policies to help the Board achieve its desired objectives
• Advice as to how to comply with all applicable laws, including federal and state Fair Housing law and City of Chicago ordinances.

Aid in Resolving Disputes

The disputes which arise among Condominium unit owners and the Board of Directors may ultimately require litigation to resolve. However, as a first step, the parties are well served to first attempt an alternative approach to address the dispute.

This is especially true where there is animosity between the parties. In such cases, intervention from an attorney who can chart a path forward is essential.

Some alternative approaches:

• Clear but firm communication in writing to the unit owner
• Convening a meeting between the Board and the affected unit owner
• Mediation between the parties to the dispute by hiring a professional outside mediator.

Through a preventative law approach, our firm assists the Board in drafting sound and realistic policies, which fully comply with the law.

Well drafted and enforceable policies will likely reduce the number of disputes with owners, thereby enhancing harmony and livability within your community. The resulting advantage to your association is reduced cost and a lower risk of liability.

Enforcement of Condo Association Rules

Condominium associations must hold a hearing with the offending owner before assessing a violation and/or a fine. Many condominium Boards neglect this step, exposing their association to the risk of costly litigation and frustrated goals.

Our firm can advise you at all stages of the proper procedures and communications that are required. If the Board desires it, we will conduct the hearing between the Board and unit owner.

Litigation

In the event that litigation must be filed, our firm will vigorously defend your association in court:

• To collect delinquent assessments
• To enforce association rules and regulations
• To defend the association when sued by other parties

Fair Housing Law

We are experienced in claims under federal and state fair housing laws including claims for failure to accommodate a disabled resident. We can assist your association in negotiating such an accommodation.

If you have been unfairly sued for housing discrimination, we are well equipped to defend you against a frivolous claim.

We take a different approach – our advice gives utmost consideration to what serves the interests of your condominium community!

Our Condominium Association sought Denise’s help to deal with an irascible owner … .he regularly ignored the governing documents of the Association. We finally had no alternative than to hold a disciplinary meeting. She managed to get him to agree to adjust his behavior and pay the fines due if he did not. There is no doubt we would again seek Denise’s assistance if needed.

Having worked with Denise on a variety of different condo issues, I could not recommend anyone more qualified to help out an association. Not only did she keep us informed about everything she was doing, but she also helped us with everyday issues that came up. She is very knowledgeable concerning Chicago and association laws and procedures.

We encourage you to make an appointment for a consultation,
Our consultation involves in-depth discussion of your legal issue, including a review of relevant documents, in order to recommend to you the best steps you can take.

The video on our Condo Law page explains what is involved in a consultation.
Let us demonstrate how our firm can help your condominium or cooperative association!

Our consultation involves in-depth discussion of your objectives and the issue,  including a review all relevant documents and explanation of the law applicable to your specific problem.

A fee of $300.00 is payable in advance or at the beginning of the consultation. This is a flat fee which does not vary by the time needed for the consultation.

Please schedule a consultation by clicking on the button below. Once you schedule the consultation, you will then be directed to a questionnaire to complete so we are better prepared for the consultation. 


schedule a consultation ($300)

Please understand that neither the provision of information nor the receipt of any person's information to this website or through electronic mail, is intended to, or shall create an attorney client relationship. Any information given on this website is general information. It should not be relied upon as legal advice and is not a substitute for legal counsel. We recommend to all persons viewing our website who are seeking legal advice that they schedule a consultation with our office. We supply a simple questionnaire to permit this office to contact you directly, and so that you may supply us some preliminary information about your concerns. We are happy to communicate with users of this website via electronic mail. However, we recommend that no private or confidential information should be sent via email as there is no guarantee of confidentiality of information sent via the Internet. All sensitive and confidential information, and all legally required information, should be sent via the United States Postal Service. Some of the information contained in this website is advertising material. We note that such information is one source of information about a law firm, and should not be the only consideration given in the choice of legal service provider.