You're apt to fight a losing battle long after the troops are packed up and the money's gone. That's some kind of tenacity! But, when a potential legal issue surfaces in the near future, explore your options before hiring the big guns. Before you hire an attorney (and spend tons of cash), try to settle the matter amicably. Don't brush off the power of a polite phone call or a letter to solve the matter. If that doesn't work, look into mediation: it's a wonderful, cost-effective way to iron out legal kinks.