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Q: How to mitigate tax increase from property revaluation after trust transfer in FL?
I recently transferred a residential single-family rental property into a land trust in Florida. This transfer triggered a property revaluation to current market value, thereby increasing the tax. Given that there were no existing exemptions, such as homestead exemptions, what steps can I take to... View More 
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Nov 8, 2026
answered on Nov 8, 2026
A jump in property tax after a transfer is a frustrating surprise, and the key question is whether the transfer legally counts as a change of ownership. Under Fla. Stat. 193.1554(5), nonhomestead residential property of nine or fewer units that is assessed under the 10 percent annual cap is... View More
Q: Can my SSA funds be garnished if transferred to checking account after a judgment?
I live in Florida and I have funds in a savings account where my Social Security benefits are deposited. I'm considering transferring this money to a checking account within the same bank. However, I'm facing a judgment from an accident in 2021, requiring me to pay $13,867, which I cannot... View More
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Nov 8, 2026
answered on Nov 8, 2026
Worrying about a judgment when you are retired and living on Social Security is stressful, and the good news is that Social Security benefits carry strong protection. Under 42 U.S.C. 407(a), Social Security benefits are not subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal... View More
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Civil Litigation, Family Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Real Estate Law
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Q: How can I correct my husband's death certificate to reflect me as the spouse in Florida?
I am in a complex situation where my husband, who recently passed away while in a Panama City prison, has a death certificate naming a Philippine woman as his spouse. We were married in the United States and never divorced, and we lived together in France. I need my name to be on his death... View More
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Nov 8, 2026
answered on Nov 8, 2026
I am very sorry for your loss and the loss of your husband, please accept my condolences for you and your family at this sad time. Generally, it would appear that you will need to contact and work with a Florida Probate Attorney, if there is no Will and any assets are in your husband's name... View More
3 Answers
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Civil Litigation, Family Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Real Estate Law
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Florida
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Q: How can I correct my husband's death certificate to reflect me as the spouse in Florida?
I am in a complex situation where my husband, who recently passed away while in a Panama City prison, has a death certificate naming a Philippine woman as his spouse. We were married in the United States and never divorced, and we lived together in France. I need my name to be on his death... View More
Andrey Mangushev
answered on Nov 8, 2026
answered on Nov 8, 2026
I am sorry for your loss, and this is a difficult situation when official records name someone else as the spouse. Under Fla. Stat. 382.016(2), the Department of Health may not change the name of a surviving spouse on a death certificate except to correct a misspelling or an omission, unless a... View More
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Divorce, Employment Law, Family Law, Legal Malpractice, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law
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Pennsylvania
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Q: How can I protect myself financially in a divorce in Pennsylvania?
I am experiencing financial abuse from my soon-to-be ex-spouse in Pennsylvania. I have filed for divorce and have an upcoming APL hearing. I had to borrow money to retain a lawyer who provided little assistance and charged me a large sum, leaving me unable to afford a new lawyer. I've reached... View More
Peter Christopher Lomtevas
answered on Nov 8, 2026
answered on Nov 8, 2026
This is a classically structured question here on Justia: the other spouse is a cheat and the asker is destitute and abused. A reorientation is required to survive an APL hearing. We are not told of any children so we must assume there are none.
Temporary alimony Pennsylvania courts award... View More
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