There may be a time when you need to sue a neighbor. Are you having problems with the neighbors? They may be playing their music too loud or setting off fireworks at all times of the night. It may be an issue related to them putting a fence where you don’t think they ought to. It may even be a problem arising from changes they’ve made that lower your property value.
Whatever the reason for the dispute may be, it’s up to you to handle it in a mature and professional manner. This is not a time for childish screaming or threats. You certainly don’t want the matter to come to blows. Your best bet in such a case may be to consult a lawyer concerning filing a legal claim.
A Lawyer Can Negotiate a Fair Resolution in Arbitration
The first thing that your lawyer will typically try to do is to arrange for an arbitration. This will be a meeting that sees you sitting down with your neighbor in conjunction with your lawyer. The purpose of such a meeting will be to try to negotiate a resolution to the issue that avoids you going to court.
Provided that neither of you really want to go to court, the outcome of such a meeting should be positive. It shouldn’t be too hard for your lawyer to come up with a settlement that suits both of your basic needs. This will be a way for you to solve your problems without having to drag in the long arm of the law.
A resolution of this type would obviously be the most desirable outcome. You will end up paying your lawyer a fee to haggle out the terms of the agreement. However, this may be a paltry sum compared to the amount of money that you can potentially waste during a long, drawn-out, and highly contentious court case.
If You Can’t Arbitrate, Go to Court
There are only so many compromises you can make to keep your neighbor happy. If nothing you offer seems to meet with their approval, it may be wise to conclude that you are wasting your time. And if this is the case, you may have no other choice but to file a claim in court.
Your lawyer can help you file the right kind of claim in the most timely manner. They will also help you come up with the amount of damages you ask to receive. Finally, they will stand by you to the end of the case.
Make Your Decision Whether to Sue a Neighbor
You may well be torn over whether or not you really want to spend the time and money that it takes to see a court case through. You may even be unsure whether you have the energy to fight all the way to the bitter end. This is the kind of decision that you should make after getting aid and counsel from an expert.
If there is no other way for you to resolve the issue, you should certainly go to court with your attorney in tow. This is not the kind of situation where you want to be without the presence of an experienced legal counsel. If you are serious about winning, you will need to do all in your power to make it happen.