I need a recommendation for a lawyer that can give me advice and/or represent me (as landlord) in a dispute with a former tenant.

The check maker(s) should file a dispute at their bank.

I called the county regardless and it appears that given that he did pay for the repair he is not on breach of lease (being that he paying would be the resolution to the breach of breaking my appliance).I also told him he does not seem to be happy in my unit and if he wants out, he can pay a penalty and leave.I just replaced the fridge and all other appliances are in good condition and I am afraid he will destroy them.

We are continuing to make payments on a house that is not being worked on with no end resolution in sight.

I would track and call animal control every time as the home owner as Corby suggests.If you are not prepared to do this as a necessary resolution then live with it or sell th eproperty.

I will not be able to build capital funds quickly enough through rent charges  to handle these expenses - so am seeking advice on how others have handled similar situations (the resolution of the large capital expenses) upfront, during the sale - and the impact of one way v. the other.

Let’s say they report it and I dispute it as “not my debt, please confirm”.

Thank you for your reply ~ I do consider this a LessonLearned; but still need resolution to the current situation :/

For example, if there is some dispute about whether someone has an interest in a property, they can sign over their rights without ever establishing what those rights are if any at all to clear up the issue.

Both purchase price taxes and expenses could be disputed as higher or lower though I think they are pretty reasonable.