AboutPaul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. Expertise I have been a practicing civil trial attorney since 1989 and have a master's degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy in comparative ethics of law, medicine and business.
I am Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and am Certified as a Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.
Experience Experience in the area I have been a practicing trial attorney since 1989 and I have a masters degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy regarding comparative ethics.
Organizations belong to State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of Colorado (inactive)
District of Columbia Bar (inactive)
Federal Bar
Licensed in Arizona District Court
Licensed in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Licensed in the United States Supreme Court American Bar Association National Board of Trial Advocacy
American Association for Justice
Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Kennedy Institute of Ethics National Association of Realtors
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts 1985
Juris Doctorate 1989
Master of Arts in Bioethics 2004 Doctorate of Philosphy 2006
Awards and Honors Phi Beta Kappa
Multiple Who's Who
Publications A list of my copyrighted publications and presentations is contained at WWW.EXPERTETHICS.COM
Question I rented a house that required an inspection every 90 days. Each time the management company came and did the inspection and everything was fine. When my lease was just about up I turned in a letter of intent to vacate. The leasing company came and did a final inspection and all seemed to be fine. I then received a notice from them stating that they were charging me 3500.00 to repaint the interior of the home. After receiving the notice I read my lease and there were no provisions to repaint or have me pay for repainting. I called them on it. They then notified me that the house smelled of "smoke". I am not a smoker and told them such. Now they are threatening to forward the account to collection. What can I do?
Answer Monique,
Most likely, they cannot take you to collections without a judgment. First, look at the lease to see if there is a prohibition regarding smoking in the house. If there is not, you should notify them of the lack of provision. Also, let them know by certified letter that you are not a smoker. Finally, you may wish to put in writing that they never brought this issue up with each 90 day inspection. It sounds as if they wish you to paint their property. You may wish to consult with a landlord tenant attorney in your area.
