Litigation-I Win, You Lose vs. Mediation-Win/Win

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  Litigation is a zero-sum game.  It destroys relationships and fosters enmity between the parties.  Parties rarely walk away happy.  Even if they win, the expense of litigation is enormous, and collecting on judgments is difficult. Disputes ultimately resolve, but the focus on winning at any cost can lead to prolonged legal battles.  Living with a lawsuit causes ongoing stress, which can distract you from your business and even have an effect on your health. In a courtroom, the final decision lies with a judge or jury who may not fully grasp the complexities of the case. Parties relinquish control over the outcome, potentially leaving them dissatisfied with the final judgment. Mediation has the opposite effect.   Rather than polarizing people, it enables the parties to attack the issues and not each other.     The process promotes open communication, collaboration and problem-solving, which enables parties to actively participate in crafting ...

The Difference Between Mechanic's Liens and Real Estate Attachments

Someone recently searched the web about the difference between mechanic's liens and real estate attachments. The effect of both is the same. The lien or attachment gives the holder a secured interest in property that protects the party if a judgment is obtained. The difference, however, is the means used to obtain the lien.

A mechanic's lien is an automatic right that a contractor has that is afforded by statute. As long as a contractor who has worked at a property complies with the procedure, the lien can be filed on the property for the amount owed.

A real estate attachment is not automatic. In Massachusetts, a party must demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of his or her case, and show that the defendant does not have liability insurance to satisfy a potential judgment against him. If the attachment is obtained "ex parte," without notice to the other side, then he must show that there is a likelihood that the property is going to be conveyed or the property is beyond the jurisdiction of the court.

So, mechanic's liens are much easier to obtain than real estate attachments. From the perspective of the property owner, however, the result is exactly the same. More on liens to come...

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