Legal Question in Business Law in California

$100 Assessment By An Association

I belong to the American Shire Horse Association. They have a $60,000 lawsuit for something that occurred in 2001 (at which time, I was NOT a member). In January, they put out a ballot to vote on assessing members an extra $100.00, and they say this ballot passed. They claim that now we're all required to pay the extra $100, and if we fail to do so, they will take 'aggressive legal action' against the non payers. Can they do this? Note also that they decided to assess members the $100 at a board meeting in December, but didn't tell the membership about it until January. Coincidently, our membership dues had to be paid by 12/31, I would not have renewed had I known of this proposed assessment. The association was created in the State of Washington.


Asked on 2/27/07, 12:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

Re: $100 Assessment By An Association

Aggressive legal action? Yes, they could take it, but would they? It makes no sense to sue someone for $100. Whether your non-membership at the time the obligation arose, or when the judgment was entered, is a defense or not would depend upon the terms of the membership agreement and (probably) Washington law.

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Answered on 2/27/07, 12:30 pm


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