Legal fees for Garden Flowers Farm
Donation protected
The Cha family have been farming in Western Washington for years and are long time vendors at Seattle area farmers markets. After many years of leasing farm land without the stability for perennial crops and irrigation, Zong and Lema purchased 31 acres in the Snohomish Valley to grow their beautiful cut flowers, vegetables, berries, and honey.
Unfortunately, they are at risk at losing this property due to a judgment of attorney fees that was entered against them. When the Cha family bought their farm, after working as janitors for years, the seller of the farm (and their neighbor) told them to not worry about water for irrigation. He said that if they needed water, they could just go ask him for it. After all, "You are small Asian women and those valves are dangerous for you to operate yourselves." After the purchase, he refused to give them water for years, using tactics of intimidation and confusion to dissuade them from asking.
The Cha family eventually hired an attorney to help get them irrigation. This attorney, although initially communicative, failed to let them know when their court hearing was until a week prior, during the busy farming season when farmers often work more than 14 hours a day, seven days a week. The attorney then advised the Cha family that they did not have to show up to their own hearing. Overwhelmed by farming responsibilities, they trusted him.
At the hearing, the judge said that if the Cha family really cared that much about getting irrigation, they would have shown up to the hearing. She ruled against them, entering a judgment against them of attorneys' fees. The opposing party has refused to respond to the Cha family's repeated attempts to pay. And as the years go by, the judgment accrues interest at 12% each year.
In order to address the judgment, the Cha Family has retained a lawyer. The Cha Family needs assistance with the legal fees, as well as with the satisfaction of the judgment.
The legal fees will likely be around $5,000 total. The judgment and associated costs amount to approximately $43,000. If this amount changes, this page will be updated.
About the Cha Family:
Leema and Zong resettled in Gig Harbor as Hmong refugees. At first, growing flowers was supplemental income to help pay for their children’s college education. They were shattered when their 19 year old son died from suicide. There were no resources to go to for therapy and support that spoke their language and understood their culture. They still suffer from PTSD today. Over time, farming began to heal them and give them a sense of purpose. Interactions with customers helped ease their suffering and helped them make community connections. Leema and Zong had hoped to continue to farm into old age. Being outside, physical exercise, and meeting their many flower customers has been the perfect prescription for good health and happiness.
Thank you for your support! Without your support, Zong believes that this ordeal will not be remedied in his lifetime.
All of the donations from this fundraiser will be for the Cha Family.
Unfortunately, they are at risk at losing this property due to a judgment of attorney fees that was entered against them. When the Cha family bought their farm, after working as janitors for years, the seller of the farm (and their neighbor) told them to not worry about water for irrigation. He said that if they needed water, they could just go ask him for it. After all, "You are small Asian women and those valves are dangerous for you to operate yourselves." After the purchase, he refused to give them water for years, using tactics of intimidation and confusion to dissuade them from asking.
The Cha family eventually hired an attorney to help get them irrigation. This attorney, although initially communicative, failed to let them know when their court hearing was until a week prior, during the busy farming season when farmers often work more than 14 hours a day, seven days a week. The attorney then advised the Cha family that they did not have to show up to their own hearing. Overwhelmed by farming responsibilities, they trusted him.
At the hearing, the judge said that if the Cha family really cared that much about getting irrigation, they would have shown up to the hearing. She ruled against them, entering a judgment against them of attorneys' fees. The opposing party has refused to respond to the Cha family's repeated attempts to pay. And as the years go by, the judgment accrues interest at 12% each year.
In order to address the judgment, the Cha Family has retained a lawyer. The Cha Family needs assistance with the legal fees, as well as with the satisfaction of the judgment.
The legal fees will likely be around $5,000 total. The judgment and associated costs amount to approximately $43,000. If this amount changes, this page will be updated.
About the Cha Family:
Leema and Zong resettled in Gig Harbor as Hmong refugees. At first, growing flowers was supplemental income to help pay for their children’s college education. They were shattered when their 19 year old son died from suicide. There were no resources to go to for therapy and support that spoke their language and understood their culture. They still suffer from PTSD today. Over time, farming began to heal them and give them a sense of purpose. Interactions with customers helped ease their suffering and helped them make community connections. Leema and Zong had hoped to continue to farm into old age. Being outside, physical exercise, and meeting their many flower customers has been the perfect prescription for good health and happiness.
Thank you for your support! Without your support, Zong believes that this ordeal will not be remedied in his lifetime.
All of the donations from this fundraiser will be for the Cha Family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Emily Tzeng
Organizer
Puyallup, WA
Chania Cha
Beneficiary
