Jeannette C.C. Darrow
Attorney at Law
Business Law Attorney - Business Litigation AttorneyAttorney ProfilePractice AreasOutside General Counsel ServicesDisclaimerContact UsAnswers to FAQs and Not-So-FAQs

Business Law - Business Litigation
Civil Litigation and Disputes, Personal Injury and Premises Liability
Construction Industry


Construction Industry
Ensure Compliance with California's Mechanic's Lien Laws

Contractors in California not only need to make sure they are in compliance with their licensing, bonding, and insurance requirements, but need to be aware of the strict requirements and often-changing laws regarding commonly used forms, including 20-day preliminary notices, mechanics' liens, waivers, and releases.  In the event of a dispute, contractors risk not getting paid if even the simplest of forms is filled out incorrectly or not properly served on a construction lender, property owner, or contractor. 

Important changes have recently been made to California's mechanic's lien laws, and if you are a contractor and are relying on the same forms and procedures you have been using for years (or even just one year), or are relying on pre-printed forms found on the internet, there is a good chance that you may not be complying with recently-enacted laws.  Even more changes are slated to take place in 2012, so having an attorney assist with notices, liens, stop notices, waivers, and releases, could protect your interests if you find your company involved in a dispute. 

I can assist with or take care of preparing, serving, and recording your preliminary notices, mechanics' liens, stop notices/stop payment notices, bonded stop notices, waivers, and releases, ensuring full compliance with California's mechanic's lien laws. 

Collection Litigation and Enforcement of Liens, Stop Payment Notices, and Bonds 

If you need to enforce a lien, stop payment notice, or payment bond, your time to file a lawsuit is extremely limited and you risk losing your rights to enforce your lien or stop payment notice if you do not take action quickly.  I can handle all of your litigation needs in connection with pursuing your claim.

Homeowner/Contractor Disputes and Relationships

If you are a homeowner entering into an agreement with a contractor for a home improvement project, or vice versa, I can assist with contract formation and review to help document expectations and prevent problems and disputes before they arise.  California has requirements regarding the terms and information that must be included in a home improvement contract (price, payment schedule, scope of work, etc.).  If the agreement is lacking in detail, both the homeowner and the contractor can be harmed by misunderstandings, incorrect assumptions, and inconsistencies.  If you are a homeowner involved in a dispute with a contractor, or vice versa, I can assist with contract interpretation, negotiations, and litigation of disputes.

For a free consultation, please call (877) 838-5521 or email me at 
jdarrow@darrowfirm.com.


Business Law Attorney - Business Litigation AttorneyAttorney ProfilePractice AreasOutside General Counsel ServicesDisclaimerContact UsAnswers to FAQs and Not-So-FAQs