Legal Help with Church-Related Disputes
Church Litigation in Property and Liability Matters
The law office of Collins & Bellenghi provides legal advice and courtroom representation for a variety of complex business matters. One of the more specialized areas of law in which our attorneys represent clients is church law involving property ownership, liability, and employee conduct.
Church-related disputes are infrequent and few lawyers have experience with the complexities these cases present. The trial attorneys at Collins & Bellenghi have handled several cases, including a noteworthy trial case resulting in a verdict by which the Southern Pacific Latin American District recovered real property worth $18 million after a church schism.
While our firm provides powerful trial court representation, we also possess the good judgment to know when a dispute can be more effectively and sensitively resolved through negotiation or mediation. Church issues strike at the heart of communities and individuals and can be extremely hurtful. We seek first to help parties arrive at a negotiated resolution.
Our law firm can assist your church, congregational group, or denominational office with the following types of church-related disputes or litigation. Contact our Newport Beach, California law office to discuss your particular situation.
Church Dissolution
In church schisms between a local and national office due to doctrinal disagreements, or within an individual church body over pastoral leadership, disputes will arise over the use and/or ownership of church property.
- Who owns the church?
- Who has a right to use the church?
- And if the church building is sold, who will receive payment?
In addition to business-related issues, we have also aided churches and denominations with pastor discharge matters.
Inappropriate Conduct on the Part of a Church Employee
Like any business with employees, churches can face employment problems relating to harassment, discrimination, or employee misconduct. The church and its pastor and board members can be held liable for church worker misconduct, although few volunteer board members understand their liability in such matters.
The employment law attorneys at Collins & Bellenghi provide legal counsel and trial defense. We can help your church set up procedure manuals to help your church board understand it's responsibilities, to put policies in place to minimize the risk of misconduct, and minimize church liability.
Contact Collins & Bellenghi to schedule a consultation.
Church Property Litigation Attorneys / Pastor Discharge Lawyer
