Real Estate Disputes & Litigation

Owning property in New York—whether it's a co-op apartment, a family home, or a commercial building—is a significant investment. When disputes arise with neighbors, co-owners, boards, or insurance companies, it can threaten that investment and cause immense stress.

Our firm provides clear, practical, and effective legal guidance for property owners facing complex disputes. We understand New York's unique real estate laws and are dedicated to protecting your property and your rights with a common-sense approach.

Who We Represent

We act as trusted counsel for a wide range of clients in real estate matters, including:

  • Homeowners

  • Condo Unit Owners & Co-op Shareholders

  • Condo & Co-op Boards

  • Commercial Property Owners & Landlords

  • Joint Property Owners (including family members, unmarried couples, and heirs)

  • Business Partners who jointly own real estate

Our Real Estate Services

We handle all facets of property-related conflicts, from negotiation to litigation.

Condo & Co-op Disputes

Living in a condo or co-op means being part of a shared community, which can lead to complex disagreements. We provide guidance to unit owners, shareholders, and boards in a wide range of matters, including:

  • Bylaw & Proprietary Lease Disputes: Helping you understand and enforce your rights under the governing documents.

  • Alteration & Renovation Disagreements: Representing you in disputes over approval, scope, or damage related to construction projects.

  • Maintenance & Repair Issues: Assisting when the board fails to make necessary repairs to common elements or your unit.

  • Nuisance & Quality of Life Complaints: Addressing issues like excessive noise, smoking, or pet-related problems.

  • Financial & Assessment Disputes: Reviewing special assessments, challenging unreasonable common charge increases, and resolving fee disputes.

  • Board Election & Governance Issues: Advising on improper election procedures, conflicts of interest, and breaches of fiduciary duty.

Boundary Disputes & Adverse Possession

Disagreements over property lines are among the most stressful conflicts a homeowner can face. We handle all facets of these conflicts, including:

  • Boundary Line Disputes: Representing you in disagreements over the true location of a property line, often arising from conflicting surveys or deeds.

  • Adverse Possession Claims: Vigorously defending you against a neighbor's claim to own a portion of your land through "squatter's rights," or prosecuting a claim on your behalf.

  • Easement Disputes: Assisting with conflicts over rights of way, driveways, and utility access.

  • Encroachment Issues: Seeking the removal of a neighbor's fence, building, shed, or other structure that has been built on your property.

  • Quiet Title Actions: Filing lawsuits to obtain a clear court order that resolves all competing claims and confirms your undisputed ownership.

Partition Actions & Co-ownership Disputes

When co-owners (family members, partners, or unmarried couples) disagree on the property's use, management, or sale, it can lead to a stalemate. A partition action is a legal right that allows any co-owner to force the sale of the property. We handle all aspects of these conflicts, including:

  • Partition Lawsuits: Filing an action on your behalf to force the sale of the property, or defending you if you have been sued in one.

  • Negotiated Buyouts: We are skilled negotiators who often help clients arrange a private buyout agreement, which can be faster and less expensive.

  • Accounting & Reimbursement: Ensuring a fair division of the proceeds by accounting for each co-owner's contributions, such as mortgage payments, taxes, and repairs.

  • Fair Market Rent Claims: Pursuing claims if one co-owner has been exclusively using or living at the property.

Construction Access & License Agreements

If a neighbor needs to erect scaffolding or place protective measures on your property for their construction project, they must obtain a formal license agreement. We represent property owners to ensure you are fully protected. Our services include:

  • Negotiating & Drafting License Agreements: We craft comprehensive agreements that mandate insurance, provide for pre-construction surveys, and compensate you for the access (license fees) and your engineering/legal fees.

  • Defending Against Access Petitions: If a developer has failed to negotiate in good faith, we will defend your rights in court (under RPAPL 881) to ensure any access granted fully protects your property.

  • Resolving Access Disputes: We represent clients when a party violates an existing agreement, including claims for property damage or unauthorized access.

Our Approach: Common Sense, Powerful Advocacy

We apply our firm's core philosophy of common sense to every real estate matter. We are down-to-earth professionals who prioritize practical, cost-effective solutions.

For our individual and family clients, we are acutely aware that affordability is a critical issue. We take a transparent, step-by-step approach. We explain the legal process, provide you with clear options, and offer the ability to pay one stage at a time, keeping you in control of the costs.

We are skilled negotiators who seek to resolve disputes efficiently. However, when a fair agreement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to be your powerful advocates in mediation, arbitration, or court.

Protect Your Property

Don't let a property dispute threaten your investment or your peace of mind. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your situation and learn how we can help.

Get in touch.