Emergency Legal Fees

Hi,

My name is Molly, I'm a theatre artist and I need help with emergency legal fees.

UPDATE ON THE PROCEEDINGS:

My attorney filed our response to the lawsuit. We are hoping for a dismissal. In the event dismissal does not happen, the next steps are: litigation, which could include depositions, discovery (written questions) I must answer, hearings, joint reports, requests for documents, and a trial (my attorney is going to ask for a jury).

My GoFundMe Story:

I live on my dream property in a simple, one-bedroom, southwestern home, with an attached suite I rent as an AirBnB/Short Term Rental (STR). It has long been a dream to own such a property with STR income to reduce my mortgage as I continue to work as a theatre artist. I purchased this property two years ago with two co-owners. The property has 3 buildings: one for each of the owners to renovate into Short Term Rentals (STR), and one for me to live in full time, adapt a guest suite into an STR, and manage all 3 of the STRs, receiving a percentage of their profits as my management fee. As a theatre artist with an admin job supporting nonprofits, I don't make a lot, but we were on the verge of turning our very successful 1st year of STR business into a bigger venture. Because of my hard work in the first year of rental, I earned us 5-star ratings and super host status on AirBnB. We were about to expand into other STR platforms. At this turning point, co-owner 2 felt they had ready rentals elsewhere & the renovation was more than they wanted to invest and expressed a desire to exit the property investment. I found friends who were willing to step into that investment. In the process of coming to terms with them, co-owner 3, negotiating for higher profit, decided to sue instead, ceasing all forward motion and STR business. The litigating partner also owes thousands of dollars to the property in taxes, etc. Since the co-owners are not renting their units, I am not receiving my property management percentage of their profits. As mentioned, co-owner 2 is willing and interested in selling that third of the property to old friends of mine who will finish the renovation & begin renting the unit. My friends are dedicated and devoted to sharing my dream for this beautiful property.

One goal of the litigating co-owner 3, is ultimately selling, forcing us to abandon the partnership and property.

Now, because I am a good administrator, I have a lot of documentation, from meeting minutes to emails to texts to WhatsApp messages, proving the lawsuit is full of false information and out & out lies. However, I have the most to lose - my home and retirement dream - if it's not handled LEGALLY. I received sound advice from lawyer friends who insisted I must obtain representation. Representation who knows the unusual laws in my state so that I don’t risk losing the property I worked for years to own. I met with several local real estate attorneys and found the right fit: one who really believes we can win, who doesn't cost a new mortgage to retain and pay court costs. We filed my response to the lawsuit in a timely manner with the court.

What needs funding? The advance/retainer of $2500 was raised but there have been fees spent by my lawyer in filing our response, so the advance must be topped up. Moving forward, there will be more hourly fees, court costs for filing all documentation, and paying the fees to do so. The upfront expenses are estimated at $8000 and, as you might imagine, could easily be more. I've learned it's expensive to get wrongfully sued.

I invested my savings buying into the property, renovating my suite, making this STR business a success, and I've proved a very capable manager.

If you can help in any way, this artist would deeply appreciate it.

With all my heart,

Molly

PS. Please know, too, that in the two years I have lived here, I have fallen in love with this land. I have learned that the original builders were a bird surgeon and animal rescuer, who were actively involved in developing a local desert museum. In cleaning up the property, I have discovered water bowls and other signs of caring for the desert fauna. All flora growing on the property is native to the Sonoran desert.

The land is teeming with birds of all kinds from Great Horned Owls to Quail to Hummingbirds, as well as rabbits, coyotes, bobcats, javelina, and more. As I am maintaining the water and flora, I see more fauna, and I feel more and more connected to the amazing life of the desert.

My potential new co-owners are committed to renovating and restoring the property in an eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle. Of course, any forward progress on that new collaboration is stopped by this lawsuit.

Please help me preserve my dream and give back life to this land.

If you’re interested in details about the lawsuit or would like links to the STR/AirBnB listing, or YouTube channel starring our local wildlife, please don’t hesitate to ask.