Governor Inslee issues Proclamation 20-51, Impacts all Washington Community Associations
By: Greg Coxey
On April 17, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 20-51. Proclamation 20-51 has far reaching impacts on all community associations in Washington. Proclamation 20-51 effectively amends the Nonprofit Corporations Act (RCW 24.03), the Condominium Act (RCW 64.34), the Homeowners’ Association Act (RCW 64.38), and the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act or WUCIOA...
COVID-19 and the Risk of Getting Sued
By: Scott Welker
In American law, there is a long, quiet history of the ill suing the people who made them ill. Dating at least back to the 1800s, defendants have been held liable in court for negligently spreading infectious diseases. These cases have run the gambit, including lawsuits for the spread of tuberculosis (1953), smallpox (1910), typhoid fever (1896), and whooping cough (1884),...
Fostering a Sense of Community During COVID-19
By: Greg Coxey
Given this unprecedented time in the history of the world, there is a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about what the future holds. Even though this is a global pandemic, with orders to stay-in-place and stay healthy, the focus shifts to our household and our communities. While practicing social distancing, we must think beyond ourselves and consider all of the members of our...
Caution in the Face of Coronavirus: Running a Washington HOA Without Gatherings
Whether you’re urging people to just start washing their hands or your closet is filled with toilet paper, one thing is certain: coronavirus continues to spread. According to health professionals, one thing we can do to slow the spread is avoid group gatherings. Unfortunately, that’s not always easy to do when you are trying to maintain a functioning community association. Regular gatherings...
VF Law Communication
Here at Vial Fotheringham LLP, we are closely monitoring the situation arising from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and we are ready to navigate the rocky waters of whatever life throws at clients, community associations and partners. Our hearts go out to the victims and families that are directly impacted by illness.
VF lawyers are ready to help associations and other clients navigate the...
VF Law’s Own Robert Fotheringham Appears on The Nicholas Cupps Show
“I had the pleasure of sitting down with the founding partner of Vial and Fotheringham, a multi-state law firm that helps in almost all areas of law, but excel in the Homeowner’s Association space. Rob is an estate planning attorney and his story of how he started his firm, how they grew it to where it is today, especially after he and his wife decided to start over and move to...
HOA Guidelines for Going Solar
Whether your HOA consists of detached dwellings, condos or townhouses, you can utilize solar to benefit your members, reduce energy costs and preserve the environment.
HOAs and their members that haven’t considered solar in the past are now attracted to the federal tax deduction – 30 percent of installation costs in 2018 and 2019, 26 percent in 2020, and 22 percent in 2021. As the fifth...
Reinvestment Fees Offset HOA Turnover Costs, Contribute to Reserves
Many Utah families have utilized their increased equity from the strong buyer’s market and healthy economy to upscale or downscale their housing situation. All of this movement in the housing industry is expensive for nonprofit homeowners’ associations and requires adequate budgeting and preparation for current and future market fluctuations.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 14...
Announcing Newest Partners
Vial Fotheringham LLP is proud to welcome Kathryn Battock, Jessica J. Maceyko, Quentin Phillips and Damien Bielli to the team of Vial Fotheringham Parnters. VF Law partners are an integral part of firm management and development. The existing partners look forward to welcoming these new additions.
Congratulations Kathryn, Jessica, Quentin and Damien!
Big Changes in Washington State HOA Law
The Washington Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) was passed by the Washington State Legislature on March 6, 2018 and goes into effect on July 1, 2018. This comprehensive legislation represents a significant change in community association law for Washington. The numerous statutes that previously governed community association law in Washington were vague, leading to disputes among...