[WSBARP] Timeshare Attorney Referrals?

Fri May 5 08:43:19 PDT 2017

I got these calls occasionally as well so thanks Doug.

Marc Holmes

Holmes Law Group PLLC

808 5th Ave N

Seattle WA 98109

HolmesLawGroup.com <http://holmeslawgroup.com/> 

marc at holmeslawgroup.com

Ofc: 206-357-4224

Cell: 206-849-0853

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com
[mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Wheeler, Doug
Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2017 8:23 AM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv
Subject: Re: [WSBARP] Timeshare Attorney Referrals?

Unfortunately, I am not aware of any attorney in Washington who regularly
handles this type of work.  However, I would be extremely wary of referring
a client to any timeshare exit company – most of them are scams.  A common
outcome is that they will purport to transfer the timeshare, but never get
the transfer recorded on the books of the timeshare association or club,
with the result that the original owner is still on the hook for annual
maintenance fees.

As for Timeshare Exit Team/Reed Hein and Associates, they apparently charge
around $3,500 and, as far as we can tell, all they do is refer the matter
out to an out-of-state attorney, who sends a letter threatening legal action
due to alleged fraudulent conduct in the original sale of the timeshare.
After receiving multiple letters that are exactly the same, it is obvious
that it is a form letter, and equally obvious that more often than not, the
attorneys have not even talked to their reputed clients.  In our opinion
Timeshare Exit Team is a predatory company that engages in scam-like
transactions with vulnerable consumers.

Rather than going to a timeshare exit company, I would suggest having your
client look into giving it back to the original seller/developer, or the
current owners association or timeshare program.  They may or may not be
willing to take it back, or they might require payment of all current
assessments and fees before they are willing to accept the timeshare.  

At Vacation Internationale, if one of our owners can no longer use their
timeshare and they want out, we let them relinquish their membership without
any fee or charge.  We understand that other timeshare clubs/organizations
may also let the owners out.  They may charge fairly significant fees, but
is worth exploring.

If all else fails, your client could try simply mailing a deed for the
timeshare to the owners association or timeshare program conveying it to
them.  They might still try to collect any unpaid dues, fees or assessments,
but if your client owes only a relatively small amount, it might not be
worth their while to try to collect (especially if it is a Canadian company
that would have to try to enforce a foreign judgment in Washington).  Of
course, however, they could bring legal action and/or file a negative report
with the credit reporting agencies.  Accordingly, this should not be
undertaken lightly, and make sure your client understands all the risks
before doing so.

Doug Wheeler

General Counsel

Vacation Internationale, Inc.

(425) 454-3065 (Ext 1208)

(206) 356-8350 (Cell)

 <mailto:DWheeler at VIResorts.com> DWheeler at VIResorts.com

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com
[mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Grifan Cayce
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 2:16 PM
To: wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com
Subject: [WSBARP] Timeshare Attorney Referrals?

Good Afternoon, Listmates: Clients are in need of a referral to get out of a
timeshare up in Whistler, BC. I would appreciate any referrals for proven
firms/attorneys who handle such matters. I know of Timeshare Exit Team,
however am nervous to send the client that way – would also appreciate any
insight there either pro or con. Feel free to respond offline to
grifan at caycegrove.com. 

Much appreciated!

Grifan Cayce, M. Ed. | ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

ESTATE PLANNING × PROBATE × REAL ESTATE × BUSINESS

cayce|grove LAW OFFICES

 <mailto:grifan at caycegrove.com> grifan at caycegrove.com 

 <http://www.caycegrove.com/> www.caycegrove.com 

425.255.0603 ext. 3

PLEASE NOTE: Cayce & Grove Law Offices is excited to announce we have moved
our main office  to Maple Valley. We are now located at 22443 SE 240th
Street | Suite 101,  Maple Valley, WA 98038.  Our telephone number remains
the same. 

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