Searching legal cases

1.
To keyword search all the case law (meaning appellate court decisions) in Virginia that mentions say the Virginia Property Owners' Association Act, type the following in the google search bar:

"property owners' association act" site:https://law.justia.com/cases/virginia/

Be aware that what the case law offers are general "rules of law. Most importantly, most importantly the case law helps one to understand //how// the courts think about the law and particulars of a situation. One of the biggest mistakes laypeople make when they read the case law is thinking that they have found something that "proves" they can win a case. By contrast, the best attorneys will emphasize to their clients that there is no such thing as a slam dunk.

2.
Go to a Law Library. Ask for the "Restatement (Third) of Property (Servitudes)." The Restatement has a section on "Common Interest Communities." This section can help introduce a person to the general principles of law that the courts are applying nationwide to HOA and condo situations. It is easy reading but in no way will do anything more than help prepare a person for a meeting with an attorney.

The Restatement is a compilation of case law nationwide. It summarizes trends in the courts and is regularly updated. Along with a summary of the law nationwide, the Restatement cites specific case law, state by state, on each topic it treats.

Hi Shelia,

What I have observed: Sometimes posting state statutes helps an OP. But then often a few days or weeks later, the same person will start another thread; the state statute is relevant; and they demonstrate they have not even checked the statute. Rinse and repeat the next week, with the same person.

I know the nature of learning is that people have to see a concept a few times times before the concept sinks. Still.

I think just getting people to read their covenants and bylaws, and getting them to not assume and instead ask questions when they do not understand something, is difficult.

I know there is the occasional "success story," where substantive learning has taken place. Readers here see a person's comprehension evolving, in a good way.

For many people who come here, if all they take from the forum is better writing skills (as they communicate with their boards or manager), then this is //a lot.// I think a lot more learning goes on with those little sample letters I post than with the links to statute sections.

If I thought a guide like you describe would help, then I would do it. But I am afraid I am not convinced it would help.

ElleN -- thank you so much for your very helpful answer. I hope to educate myself on a tough real estate issue (thankfully not HOA related but covenants COULD come into play). In addition to better understanding my issue, I hope to use this research to backtrack into a good lawyer who has won cases like mine so hopefully I wont have to go to court at all. Really appreciate it!