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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>HOA member engages in violation behavior. HOA holds many meetings and starts the fining process. Both sides “lawyer up” and multiple letters are exchanged. Member backs down and fixes violation before any court action is taken. HOA spent about $5k in attorney fees getting to that point. The HOA’s CC&Rs state the “the party prevailing in any enforcement proceeding, whether in law or equity, shall have from his opponent any attorney’s fees that the court may deem reasonable.” So, for grins and giggles, the HOA took the member to small claims court to recoup its attorney fees. Court said “not so fast, there was no court action here so the CC&Rs atty fees provision and RCW 64.38.050 don’t apply”. (HOA has 30 days to appeal decision.) My research is reveals nothing regarding recouping attorney fees when there is no court action under these circumstances. All reported cases citing RCW 64.38.050 involve filed cases. Any cases out there? <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>