Advice on Eviction in Colorado, hire a attorney?

[Kyle Lindsey]

Hello all, 

We are going through our first eviction.  We have a property in Grand County Colorado that we have a month-to-month lease to a local who has not paid in 4 months.  He was trying to get state assistance, but none of that has come through.  Now we are going to have to go through the eviction process because he is refusing to leave and feels that "someday" the state will come through.  We have gone through the checklist that is supplied by the county and have served the first few notices.  My question is should we work with an Attorney or is the eviction process manageable enough to take care of myself?

Thank you! 

Kyle 

[Nathan Fisher]

No matter where you are doing an eviction, get an attorney.

[Erin Colander]

I agree with hiring an attorney. This may feel expensive right now but in the long run you will be glad you did. I have handled a few evictions over the years and even with my 20 years of experience in property management will hire an attorney to facilitate the eviction process. Best of luck! Erin

[Michael Smythe]

@Kyle Lindsey lesson learned!

You should have started eviction process IMMEDIATELY to keep pressure on the tenant to get help or move. Now you've lost 4 months of rent you are UNLIKELY to ever recover:(

So, yes, hire an experienced landlord-tenant attorney. You can often find one by access online court records and contacting the landlord-tenant attorneys that appear numerous times.

[Erin Colander]

Hello Kyle, Absolutely hire an attorney. Laws and deadlines are very specific and missing something will end up costing your time and money. Best of Luck to you!

[Jamie O'Connell]

In New York State where most of my properties are I HAVE to use an attorney if the property is held in an LLC. If it's in my private name I can do without an attorney. But I definitely suggest the attorney. But pick a good one. The guidelines are very strict and if they mess one up it could set you back months. But you have a much higher chance of missing something than a trained attorney.

[Matt M.]

Call Tschetter Sulzer here in town edit: if you don't follow the law to a T, then you'll have to start all over.