Sammi Goldstein has gone through more trials in life than most of her neighbors in the quiet bedroom community of Stevenson Ranch, north of Los Angeles, California. Her daughter Stephanie suffered for years from IBD. Sammi fought for her daughter’s life through 16 agonizing surgeries at the best hospitals in the country. But the trial that really broke her down was the one she was never allowed to attend until she had to defend herself from a contempt of court charge. You could say it was a case of color. When her homeowner’s association, Southern Oaks Society, asked Sammi to paint her house, she complied by painting it almost the exact same color as a neighbor with the same tract model, with the exception of a blue door and shutters. But, according to Southern Oaks, the color was all wrong. So wrong, that they sued Sammi for it, and got a judgment against her without her even knowing about it.
While Sammi was in Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic during several of her daughter’s surgeries, the HOA served her husband, with whom she was separated at the time, with the summons and complaint, took Sammi’s default and she didn’t find out about it until the HOA wiped her children’s savings accounts out to the tune of $5,000 on a $13,000 judgment. The HOA finally did succeed in personally serving Sammi, but it was with a contempt of court citation, threatening her with imprisonment if she didn’t repaint her house.
But justice was finally served when her lawyer, Kenneth Eade, succeeded in a motion to set aside the default judgment in L.A. Superior Court on July 10, 2012. According to Eade, “This case concerns a critical issue in today’s society; to make sure the color of one’s house is exactly the same as everyone else’s. The Plaintiff in this case, as the Defendant’s homeowner’s association, has the right to Big Brother the Defendant, but can only do so in the Courts after notice and the opportunity to be heard.” The judge agreed, and vacated the judgment and the contempt citation.
About Kenneth G. Eade
Kenneth G. Eade is an attorney, based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in international law, transactional and corporate law, complex business litigation, securities litigation, Contract Law, Corporate Law, General Commercial and Business Law Matters. , Licensing Agreements, Mergers & Acquisitions. He is a member of the Bar of California, the federal District Court for the Central District of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. His previous experience over the past 30 years includes licensing, mergers and acquisitions, securities, collections, real estate, and bankruptcy. He holds a Juris Doctor in Law from Southwestern University School of Law, and a B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University, Northridge. Mr. Eade is a member in good standing of the California State Bar, the federal Bar of the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. He is also an accomplished filmmaker.
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