Witkin & Neal

Witkin & Neal is a law firm operating from 5805 Sepulveda Blvd #670, Sherman Oaks, CA 91411, USA. They can be reached by phone at (818) 845-8808 or via mobile at +1 818-845-8808. The firm specializes in the collection of delinquent assessments for homeowners associations (HOAs) and various common interest developments across California, primarily utilizing the non-judicial foreclosure process. This introduction aims to provide an objective overview of Witkin & Neal's services, environment, and features, drawing on available public information and client feedback within the "Lawyers Near Me" platform category.

Witkin & Neal's office is situated in Sherman Oaks, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. The address, 5805 Sepulveda Blvd #670, places it within a commercial building, typical for law firms in urban settings. Sherman Oaks is a well-established area with a mix of residential and commercial properties, offering accessibility to clients within the greater Los Angeles area. The firm's physical location suggests a professional office environment, common for legal practices that handle real estate and collection matters.

Witkin & Neal primarily focuses on assessment collections for HOAs. Their services are designed to help HOAs recover unpaid assessments, and they leverage non-judicial foreclosure as a key method. Their comprehensive collection services encompass the entire non-judicial foreclosure process. These services include, but are not limited to:

• Pre-Lien Letters: Initial communications to homeowners regarding delinquent assessments before a formal lien is placed.
• Liens: The formal recording of a lien on a property to secure the outstanding debt.
• Notices of Default: Official notifications to homeowners that they are in default on their assessment payments, initiating the foreclosure process.
• Notices of Sale: Public notices indicating that a property is scheduled for a foreclosure sale.
• Trustee's Deeds Upon Sale: Documents issued after a foreclosure sale to transfer ownership of the property.
• Post-Sale Redemptions: Handling procedures related to a homeowner's right to redeem their property after a foreclosure sale.
• Surplus Funds Claims: Managing claims for any excess funds generated from a foreclosure sale after the debt and costs are satisfied.
• Payment Plan Processing: Assisting with the establishment and monitoring of payment plans for delinquent assessments.
• Bankruptcy Monitoring: Keeping track of bankruptcy filings by homeowners to ensure compliance with legal procedures and protect the HOA's interests.
• Senior Lien Default Review: Reviewing situations where a senior lien on a property is in default, which can impact the HOA's collection efforts.

The firm emphasizes that many cases are successfully resolved at the lien stage, indicating a structured process aimed at recovering funds for their clients.

The firm is led by Richard G. Witkin, Esq., and Audrey L. Neal. Richard G. Witkin is a graduate of UCLA School of Law and has been a member of the California State Bar since 1975. His background includes experience as a litigation attorney and a decade on the faculty of the UCLA School of Law. He also served as Vice-President and General Counsel of Fidelity Trustee Service, where he supervised numerous non-judicial foreclosures. Mr. Witkin is a member of the California State Bar Real Property Section and the United Trustee's Association, and has lectured on foreclosure issues to various groups. He is also a licensed California Real Estate Broker and Notary Public. Audrey L. Neal has been practicing in real property secured collections since 1979, with extensive experience in foreclosure and asset management. Their combined experience in non-judicial foreclosure, specifically for homeowners associations, is a key feature of the firm. They state a business philosophy of representing HOAs' interests while aiming to maintain standards of honesty and fairness to all parties in the collection process.

Witkin & Neal promotes itself as "California's most experienced delinquent assessment collection company." They highlight their specialization in recovering unpaid assessments for condominiums, homeowners associations, and all forms of common interest developments throughout California, by utilizing non-judicial foreclosure. They also maintain a client login portal on their website, suggesting dedicated resources for their HOA clients to track cases. Contact information for various inquiries, including those from homeowners, board members, and association managers, is provided on their website, along with their toll-free number: 888-845-8808. Their hours of operation for customer service representatives are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

It is important to note that public perception of firms specializing in collections, particularly for HOAs, can be polarizing. Some online reviews for Witkin & Neal express significant concerns from homeowners who have faced collection actions. These reviews frequently describe the firm as an "enforcement arm" of HOAs, with accusations of overcharging and not strictly adhering to proper nonjudicial foreclosure procedures. There are claims suggesting a system where HOAs and firms like Witkin & Neal might identify properties for foreclosure to generate fees or facilitate property flipping. Reviewers mention situations where homeowners allegedly accrue fees faster than they can pay them, leading to foreclosure proceedings. Specific individuals associated with the firm, such as Susan Paquette, are mentioned in these critical reviews. Some homeowners allege that their rights were violated, specifically regarding the inability to record a lien without complying with requests for resolution, such as IDR (Internal Dispute Resolution) and ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), before a neutral third party. These reviews strongly advise homeowners who believe their rights have been violated to consult their own lawyer and consider suing the firm. It is crucial to understand that these are expressed viewpoints from individuals who have had negative experiences as subjects of collection actions, and they represent one side of the client interaction. As a law firm specializing in collections, their role is to represent the interests of their HOA clients in recovering debts.

In summary, Witkin & Neal is a law firm with a specific focus on delinquent assessment collections for homeowners associations in California, offering a suite of services designed to navigate the non-judicial foreclosure process. Their long-standing experience in this niche area, led by seasoned professionals, is a key characteristic. However, prospective clients and individuals interacting with the firm should be aware of the firm's specialized role in collections and the nature of the services they provide, as reflected in both their self-promotion and the diverse public feedback.