Recent Blog Posts
Handling, and Objecting to, Creditor Claims in Probate
If there is a probate case after someone passes away, the estate will have to give notice of the passing and of the administration of the estate, in the way that Florida probate law requires. Part of the reason for doing this is to alert creditors, so that they can make claims on the… Read More »
How Much Does Probate Court Cost?
When it comes to estate planning, many attorneys will tell you to get into that estate planning attorney’s office, in order to avoid probate. There are a number of reasons why this is a good idea, not the least of which is the avoidance of the cost and expense of the probate process. The… Read More »
Divorce Agreements and Support Obligations: What Happens To Them in Probate Court?
When people get divorced, they don’t think much about their estate plan, or about probate. They get divorced, and often do so with some sort of settlement agreement made between the spouses. But at the same time, those spouses may also have estate plans, and what is written in those estate plans may conflict… Read More »
Your Home Failed Inspection. Is the Deal Dead?
You keep your home in good, working order. You maintain it regularly and repair what’s needed. So, when it’s time to sell your home, the last thing that you’re concerned about is the inspection. But then it happens—your home has problems revealed by the pre-closing inspection, or worse, your home “fails inspection.” Or, if… Read More »
Understanding and Recognizing Common Fair Housing Violations
If you own property, whether it is residential or commercial, you may be looking to sell the property, or rent or lease it out. In doing so, you are likely to try to market or promote the property. But be careful, because even if you don’t intend to discriminate, it’s easier than you may… Read More »
Leaving and Inheriting Shares and Stocks in An Estate Plan
Among the many things that we plan to leave to our loved ones, or that we may expect to inherit from loved ones, are intangible assets—specifically, shares or stocks. But unlike other assets that are left and inherited through an estate plan, stocks can create some special situations that should be dealt with, when… Read More »
Handling and Identifying Municipal Liens Before Closing
When you are closing on property, your real estate attorney will conduct a title or lien search on the property. The purpose of this search is to identify any outstanding liens on the property, which could affect your ownership, ability to take title, or your ability to take title free and clear of owing… Read More »
Repair and Maintenance Provisions in Commercial Leases
When you review or sign a commercial lease, there is a lot of information to pay attention to. We tend to be drawn to rent, expenses, and anything else that comes out of our pocket on a regular basis, understandably. But one thing that too many tenants may overlook, are duties to maintain and… Read More »
You Can Include ADR in Your Contracts, But Should You?
Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, includes things like mediation and arbitration, which are conducted in an effort to try to resolve disputes outside of court, or before a full blown trial. ADR can be a cost effective method of resolving disputes, without the time, cost, or necessity of extended business litigation. You can include… Read More »
Could a Beneficiary Controlled Trust be Right for You?
The way a trust works is relatively simple. You put property in the trust. The person who establishes the trust is called the settlor. Those who receive the property in the trust are beneficiaries. And the trust is the person who administers the trust, according to the instructions and directions given to them by… Read More »
