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By Anne T. Acuña, Esq.

This article first appeared in our Communicator Magazine, Winter 2026 Issue.

In 2025, several California court decisions offer valuable guidance for common interest developments. The four cases summarized below address key issues, including association boards’ fiduciary duties, the circumstances under which individual directors may be held personally liable for gross negligence, disputes involving insurance coverage and exclusions, the classification of association disciplinary fines under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and the types of evidence that may be used to prove emotional distress in disability discrimination claims. Practical takeaways from each ruling are also outlined to help associations navigate these important developments.

RIDLEY V. RANCHO PALMA GRANDE HOMEOWNERS ASSN.

114 CAL.APP.5TH 788 (2025)

This is a case where the appellate court found that the HOA failed to conduct a reasonable investigation into water intrusion unde