Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Seeking advice about forming community

[Mac Thomson (mac]

On 11/13/95, Ed Self wrote:

> I'm involved with a small group of people who are attempting to 
> form an intentional community in Boulder County . . .
>  
> Our group has recognized the complexities of formulating a
> comprehensive  legal agreement . . .  We have also recognized that
> there is a  relationship between our choice of legal structure and
> how that  could affect our efforts to obtain financing. 
> 
> We are seeking any advice or suggested resources (persons to 
> contact or publications) which could help us as we formulate a 
> legal agreement and pursue financing.  We are also potentially 
> interested in hiring a consultant(s) to help us hash out the 
> legal and financial aspects of forming community.

Ed,

Your situation indeed does sound complex, especially to me, having no legal
background.  Luckily, you're located in a resource rich area, at least as far
as cohousing is concerned.  I can't give you any specific recomendations
about legal structure, etc, but here are some resources you can check out:
----------------
Rocky Mountain CoHousing Association
1705 14th St #160
Boulder, CO   80302
(303)584-3237

Among other things, the RMCA can provide you with the most recent issue of
the Cohousing Journal, which had a very good introductory article to legal
structures.
----------------
Zev Paiss
Cohousing Consultant with expertise in membership, process, and financing
Zpaiss [at] aol.com
(303)499-8189

Zev has done some work for our group and we've been very happy with his work.
----------------
Bill Love
Real Estate Attorney
225 Canyon Blvd
Boulder, CO   80302
(303)-449-4400

Bill has been involved in the legal structring of 4 cohousing communites in
Colorado that I know of.
----------------

I hope this info is useful.  Good luck with your community.


    Mac Thomson                         San Juan Cohousing
    Mac [at] HappyValley.com           Durango, Colorado

  "Every child born into the world is a new thought of God,
           an ever fresh and radiant possiblilty."
                        - Kate Douglas Wiggin


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