I bought "as is". Can I still sue for a hidden defect?

Often, yes. "As is" does not excuse a seller from disclosing known material defects; it only shifts the risk of unknown ones. What the seller knew is the question.

Can I force my co-owner to sell?

Usually. A partition action lets a court order a sale or division. Most settle once the co-owner understands that, with a buy-out at an agreed value.

My tenant stopped paying. Can I just change the locks?

No. Self-help eviction is illegal in California and expensive for landlords. The lawful route is notice followed by an unlawful detainer case, which moves quickly if done right.

The deal fell through and the escrow deposit is stuck. Who gets it?

The contract decides, and the standard California form has a specific liquidated-damages clause that must have been initialled to apply. Send us the contract and we will tell you.

Do you handle HOA disputes?

Yes, for owners and for associations, including fines, assessments, architectural disputes and enforcement of the governing documents.

What we handle · Los Angeles

Real Estate & Landlord–Tenant Dispute Lawyer in Los Angeles

Neva lose ground.

If you're bringing the claim

The seller didn't mention the foundation. The buyer walked away at closing. The co-owner won't sell and won't buy you out. The landlord kept the deposit or the tenant wrecked the place. A real estate litigation attorney in Los Angeles handles the disputes that come with property — buying it, selling it, sharing it and renting it — for owners, buyers, landlords and commercial tenants.

If you're defending one

Or you're the seller accused of hiding a defect, the landlord being sued by a former tenant, or the owner being told a neighbour has a right over your land. Real estate claims come with documents — disclosures, contracts, leases, title — and the documents usually decide them. We read yours and tell you plainly where you stand.

Common situations we handle

“The seller hid a serious problem with the house.”
“The buyer backed out and I want the deposit.”
“My co-owner refuses to sell or buy me out.”
“My landlord won't return my deposit.”
“A commercial tenant stopped paying rent.”
“A neighbour claims a right of way over my property.”

What the law says

California sellers of residential property must disclose known material defects in writing, and a buyer who discovers a hidden problem can sue for the cost of repair and sometimes more. Purchase contracts set out what happens to the deposit when a deal fails, and the standard form has its own rules about liquidated damages. Co-owners who cannot agree can ask a court to partition — to force a sale and divide the proceeds. Landlords must return a security deposit, with an itemised statement, within 21 days of move-out, and a landlord who keeps it in bad faith can be ordered to pay up to twice the deposit on top. Commercial leases are governed almost entirely by their own terms, which is why we read them first.

What's at stake

The cost of repairs, the lost deposit, the difference in value, a forced sale or a buy-out at a fair price, unpaid rent, or the right to use or protect your land. Real estate contracts very often include attorney's-fee clauses, so the losing side usually pays both sets of fees. That makes an early, honest assessment essential.

How long you have

Three years for fraud and non-disclosure from discovery, two years for negligence, four years for breach of a written contract. Deposit claims and unlawful-detainer matters move on much shorter timetables. Boundary and easement disputes can involve five-year possession periods. Tell us the dates and we will tell you where the clock is.

What happens next

1
Tell us what happened
The quiz, a text, or a call. Fifteen minutes, free.
2
We tell you straight
Whether you have a case, what it would take, and which way of working applies.
3
Clear terms in writing
If we take it, you get clear terms in writing before anything starts.

Three ways we work. Some cases we take on contingency — no fee unless we win; if there's no recovery you don't pay us a fee, though you may still be responsible for case costs, which we explain in writing before anything starts. Some cases we do for a fixed fee you know before we begin. Some are hourly. We tell you which applies in the first call.

Why Cirkveni 2.0

Trial training

Neva trained on the plaintiffs' trial team at a top Los Angeles litigation firm. Every case is prepared as if it will go to trial.

Direct access

You deal with the lawyer. Your calls and texts reach Neva, not a queue.

Straight talk

Plain English, honest about the odds, and a fee you know before we start.

Second generation

The first Cirkveni law office opened in 1992. Same instinct, rebuilt for now.

What a client said

“I would recommend Neva. She is knowledgeable, detailed, patient, and did a great job of explaining the process and answering my questions. I was very pleased with the experience and settlement.”

— Cathy P., Google review

5.0 on Google

Results depend on the facts of each case.

Questions people ask

Find out where you stand.

Text or call +1 (424) 230-3912, or take the five-question quiz.

Do I have a case?Text +1 (424) 230-3912 Call +1 (424) 230-3912