Winter 2002

pineconePine Tree Case Summaries pinecone

Table of Contents

Property Taxes
Parental Rights and Responsibilities
Personal Property

The following are summaries of some of the cases Pine Tree Native American Unit attorneys have handled over the last six months. You can call attorney Mike Guare or paralegal Danny Mills at 1-800-879-7463.

Case One: Property Taxes

The Native American client called Pine Tree Legal Assistance after the town where she lived had already foreclosed on her home for failing to pay her property taxes The town was in the process of evicting her from the premises. We were able to intervene and negotiate a payment plan with the town officials. The town agreed not only to allow the client to stay in her home while the past property taxes were paid off, but also agreed re-convey ownership of the property back to the client once the past property taxes were paid in full.

Case Two: Parental Rights and Responsibilities

This Native American client had been represented by Pine Tree a few months earlier in a case involving a modification of parental rights and responsibilities. The client called again to report another substantial change of circumstances. As in the prior case, both parties again hotly contested this matter. The Court, in light of its past experience with the parties, had already waived mediation and was proceeding directly to hearing. Nevertheless, in the process of preparing for the hearing, Craig was able to negotiate a "win-win" solution to the parties' difficulties that was later accepted without revision by the Court. The Court praised the parties for having put the best interests of their children before their own, and for working together to solve their problems rather than having to rely on the authority of the Court to impose a decision for them.

Case Three: Personal Property

The client came to Pine Tree when his previous landlord refused to return his personal property after the client had vacated the premises. We initiated a Personal Property Forcible Entry and Detainer action against the landlord and, after the hearing, were able to get most of the client's property back to him. We and the client are currently evaluating bringing a small claims suit against the landlord for the items that were "lost."