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Florida Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: Ejectment after being deeded property from a Will.

I was the executor of my father's will. He owned a non-homestead house in another county. I filed a probate case and was deeded the home after disposition. A half sibling (step brother to my father) has been living in the home for 17 years and was on the mortgage (not the deed). I am now... Read more »

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Mar 20, 2023

Yes, an ejectment action would be appropriate to remove the occupant. However, they may have an equitable claim for the amounts paid on the mortgage, assuming they paid some portion of the mortgage that they signed for. Please feel free to reach out for a free consultation.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: I need to find out if I am covered on my insurance for the sprinklers in my condo I have insurance

I was told anything inside the unit os the condo responsibility. Insurance company is not reliable. Can you help me I have little money want want to be insured. I live in the bluffs marina.sprinklers and pipes are breaking. Thank you

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Mar 20, 2023

A condo lawyer would have to read the Declaration of Condominium and Bylaws for your association to give a proper answer. Generally, anything from the bare sheetrock out is the condominium's responsibility and anything from the sheetrock in, including paint, floor coverings and other... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: I own a condo in Florida. The Condominium association is requiring all water heaters over ten years old to be replaced.

My water heater sits in a pan with a well maintained drain, so the risk of flooding in the event of a leak is mitigated. Can the board legally require replacement, under the threat of legal action to enforce? Our bylaws make no mention of an authorization to require replacement of water heaters... Read more »

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Mar 20, 2023

Probably. Most modern water heaters have a life of 10 years if you are lucky. The consequences of a water heater failing could be more than just a leak filling up a pan and could flood your unit, which would damage adjacent units. If the condo association adopted this under their Rules and... Read more »

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Is it legal in a real estate contract to inflate purchase price then have seller return money?

A buyer presented me with a contract with an inflated purchase price of $120,000 more. He is using a DSRC loan to buy it. He added an addendum stating I woud return $120,000 to him at closing for property management and maintenance. I was hesitant on signing and his broker told me because its a... Read more »

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Mar 19, 2023

If it looks like fraud and smells like fraud -- it's fraud. The realtor is not your agent and you should never buy or sell real estate without a lawyer. Don't sign anything without having a real estate lawyer review it.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Hello, I am looking to buy a property that is landlocked. I would like to know my rights for the access easement.

This property is located in Marion county, Florida

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Mar 17, 2023

If you buy that real estate, your rights to access it may well be addressed in Florida Statute 704.01 (way of necessity). For further information, review the statute here:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0704/Sections/0704.01.html

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: My father passed away in Florida. His widow became the Life Estate Owner & I as his son became the Remainder Owner.

Can I take legal action against her if she refuses to pay taxes, insurance & maintenance of property?

Please advise! Thank you!

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Mar 11, 2023

Consider suing her for "partition." You would ask the court to sell the fee simple (life estate plus remainder). The proceeds would be divided between the two of you.

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: My father passed away in Florida. His widow became the Life Estate Owner & I as his son became the Remainder Owner.

Can I take legal action against her if she refuses to pay taxes, insurance & maintenance of property?

Please advise! Thank you!

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Mar 11, 2023

You could bring an action for waste and include a request for an injunction that would prevent further waste by forcing the life tenant to make repairs, pay taxes, and otherwise keep the property in good order. A partition action may not always be available depending on how the life estate was... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: When does my co op board have to give specific dollar amount about for a special assessment before expecting payment?
Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Mar 10, 2023

The process is for the board to give notice of a meeting 14 days in advance of the meeting to vote on the special assessment. Once the assessment is approved the board needs to send out a notice to the owners of the special assessment. There is no specific law of when the assessment can be... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: I let someone stay with me a month for free, now they are trying to have mail sent to establish residency. What can I do

What can I do to stop them from ever entering the property again.

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 8, 2023

1. Give written demand to leave (either immediately or give a deadline of your choice), and keep a copy; good to give verbal demand as well;

2. If the person refuses, read Fla. Statutes Section 82.035 (which is online) - that provides a remedy of having the police order the person to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What remedies available to seller if title company did not pay & 30 days has lapsed & no proof of payment or tracking no

Seller sold property and title company handle closing. On Feb 7th 2023 title company assured seller that a Cashiers Check was Prepared and sent to him via regular mail.

30 days has elapsed and seller did not receive his check nor can the title company provide copy of Cashiers Check or a... Read more »

Jane Kim
Jane Kim PRO label
answered on Mar 8, 2023

There are legal remedies available, of course.

The title company must follow the acceptable accounting principles, applicable Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code to maintain accurate records of their financial transactions, including records of all escrow transactions, and...
Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: HOMEOWNERS ARE BOTH DECEASED without a will. Mortgage was with USDA with a recapture sole surviving son and daughter in

Son and daughter in law cared for aging parents (homeowners) until their deaths. No WILL. Son continued to pay the mortgage payments until mortgage was paid off. Home developed a slab crack and insurance was cancelled. Home burned to the ground Jan 1 2018. there is no building just land. My... Read more »

Jane Kim
Jane Kim PRO label
answered on Mar 7, 2023

Here is from a basic Google search:

Please call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-414-1226 or 1-800-438-1832 (TDD/TTY Hearing Impaired Only) to find out if your loan is subject to recapture or to receive payoff information.

There is no way anyone can address the rest of your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: If my partner moves in with me and pays rent and improvements is he eligible to received any profit from sell of my home

I own a home in manatee county Florida. I allowed my partner to move in with me. He pays half the bills in form of a rent check to me monthly. He also paid half of getting my main electrical box replaced ($2900.00).

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Mar 7, 2023

Were you to sell your house, he would be invisible to the title company, as he is not on the deed. He would not be entitled to share the profits of the sale, as he would be if he co-owned the home.

Whether he can sue you for some amount as compensation for the contributions he has made, and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Landlord - Tenant, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Florida on
Q: Is an HOA liable for known misrepresentations made by a home developer, on HOA controlled property?

If the HOA knew of the misrepresentations, intentional fraud, right? If they didn't know, negligence fraud, right? And any related parties aware and benefiting from said misrepresentations are conspirators, no?

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Mar 4, 2023

Generally, no, but that answer could change depending on the misrepresentations. If any of the misrepresentations conflict with the language in the HOA documents, which are public record, the HOA would not be liable because owners are deemed to have read the HOA documents whether they actually... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Can we have a lawyer make a contract to pay off the rest of the mortgage amount just between us and a mobile homeowner?

Basically, a lot of lenders do not want to give out loans for mobile homes. So as a solution, we want to have a lawyer create a contract between us and the owner of the mobile home so we pay him the deposit immediately. but pay off the rest of the amount with interest monthly. just like a bank but... Read more »

Jane Kim
Jane Kim PRO label
answered on Mar 3, 2023

Of course it is possible and advisable. A lawyer can advise you on the type of document needed, and it will depend on whether your mobile home is considered real property. Regardless, it can either be a mortgage or chattel mortgage, or a note to repay debt.

It is a good thing you asked...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Florida warranty deed. If either party passes away, does the survivor automatically receive the others 50%?

Single family residence in Miami-Dade county. The deed for the property is on my name and my mother's name, she lives there full time, claims homestead, while I live in another city in FL. If either party passes away, does the survivor automatically receive the others 50%? The deed identifies... Read more »

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Mar 2, 2023

Not under the current circumstances. You hold title as tenants in common. You would need to have a deed that shows you and your mother as joint tenants with right of survivorship.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Who is responsible for a drain clog in FL rental.

Plumber says “may be wipes” septic pumped and guy who pumped says “saw some wipes” in tank. Renter denying they use wipes and doesn’t want to pay bill. Plumber uncovered entire line to sewer. No cracks, tree branches in lines. Worked fine after clog removed. Septic guy pumped tank and... Read more »

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Mar 1, 2023

You should take your lease to an attorney to determine who might be responsible for that sort of thing.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What would be the estimated cost (legal & governmental) to divide a current HOA into 2 separate HOA's ?

Manatee county, Florida. Background: HOA of 99 residences, 66 single family homes, 30 villas, with dissimilar services, separated by a county highway. HOA Board controlled by SFHs. Services denied or delayed by HOA Board to the villas.

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Feb 27, 2023

It depends on the language in the HOA documents and any shared amenities. It's impossible to say how much it would cost because it would likely require litigation if the board is not in agreement. It could cost anywhere from tens of thousands of dollars to up to $200,000 or more if it goes... Read more »

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: Can an owner QC the deed of their property to someone if that property is listed in their Trust to go to someone else?

If someone has an irrevocable Trust for their home that is paid off, can that person sign over a quick claim deed on their home to a different person? My mother in law passed away last year. She has a Trust that gives the house to her 3 children. However in 2020, one of her grandchildren had... Read more »

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Feb 27, 2023

In order for the property to be considered part of the trust, known as corpus, the deed to the property must be in the name of the trust. In this case, it sounds like the settlor, the person who created the trust, had not transferred it to the trust and still owned it in her individual name.... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Florida on
Q: If I go to Supreme Court is there any way of getting an alidio title to property in fl. Or is there a way to lower -

Your property taxes for residential holme thats paid for in fl.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith PRO label
answered on Mar 4, 2023

The Florida Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and primarily handles appeals of cases from lower courts. The Court's jurisdiction does not typically extend to issues related to property titles or tax assessments, which are generally handled at the local level.

If you are...
Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Is an amendment to condo docs enforceable against an owner who votes against it?

Amendment requires 75% approval and passes but I vote against it. Am I grandfathered in under old docs?

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Feb 27, 2023

No, you are not grandfathered because you voted against the amendment. The amendment itself would have to specify those would be grandfathered under the previous rule.

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