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Florida Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: Bought house me as borrower mom coborrower what happens to property if one out live the other both no will
Anwar Elias Hadeed
PREMIUM
Anwar Elias Hadeed
answered on Feb 7, 2025

If you and your mother bought a house together and both names are on the mortgage, what happens to the property when one of you passes away depends on how the title (ownership) was set up. Since there is no will, the way the property is titled will determine the next steps:

Joint Tenancy...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: Bought house me as borrower mom coborrower what happens to property if one out live the other both no will
Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Feb 7, 2025

I would encourage you to have the current deed reviewed, based on how the deed is held it may transfer upon death (review needed). In addition, I would encourage you to consider having a proper estate planning done with respect to a Will and or other documents as well as a Deed with survivorship... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My husband passed away, his name is on the loan but both of our names are recorded on the deed. I am assuming the loan,

I made contact with the mortgage company, I'm assuming the loan and have been making monthly payments. What steps do I need to take with my Florida Courts?

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Feb 7, 2025

I am very sorry for your loss on the passing of your husband, please accept my condolences for you and your family at this difficult and sad time. As a surviving spouse and with your name on the property deed, you should be able to assume the mortgage, no refinance or similar needed. You should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: Can my condo board demand to have a key to allow an unlicensed (CAM LIC) maintenance employee to have access my condo ?

The bylaws state owners must give a set of keys to board who then allows a maintenance employee to have access to my condo & they don't give me 24 hrs notice the or regularly scheduled maint like changing fire alarm / voice call batteries. Don't I have the right of exclusion ?

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Feb 3, 2025

Maintenance people are not required to have a CAM license. Florida Statutes grant associations the right to enter into a unit during reasonable hours. There is no exemption for the statute and if you refuse the association can change the locks and bill you for the charges.

The association...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My neighbor wants to tie into my fence ( she will have a post beside mine and use my fence for her side). State of FL.

We have an HOA and they are allowing it. My fence was installed 4 inches short to my property line. I can’t move my fence as her gas line is on my property and they are not moving or it will be a minute. I have requested but I am still waiting. I don’t want them using my fence without... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Jan 31, 2025

Your neighbor is installing their own post, which is not the same as tying into your fence. Tying into your fence would be if the neighbor attached their panels to your post.

You cannot demand compensation from your neighbor for your fence after you installed it. You should have...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Animal / Dog Law for Florida on
Q: We live in a 55+, gated community, which contains 2 separate communities. (2 different HOA's plus 1 common area HOA)

One community has declared that the other community is not allowed to walk their pets in their community. We all share a common road that provides ingress and egress to the entire development.

Is each community considered private or public land? If public, can such a restriction be enforced?

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Jan 31, 2025

An attorney would need to read the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Easements and Restrictions to determine if the HOA is overstepping its authority. HOAs generally have the ability to adopt reasonable rules and regulations as well as long as the rule has a legitimate business need. It may... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Can an HOA require you to take down a fence that you previously got permission to install from prior HOA

I have had a fence up for four years. The previous property manager gave me verbal permission to do so, even suggested it, helped me figure out where to put it. New HOA, property manager sent me a letter saying they know I got permission but it’s against The bylaws and will allow me to keep it... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Jan 29, 2025

Most HOA documents require written permission and some assert even if granted permission they must comply with the HOA documents. You would need to consult with a lawyer, who you should have if you're selling real estate anyway, to read your HOA documents, including any amendments to them and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: Can I keep homestead status (not exemption) on a property that was specifically given to me in a Will if I am a friend?

There was no spouse, no children, and no other heris. It was specifically given to me in a Will. I understand that I don't get homestead exemption from creditors. But, I wanted to know if the status of the homestead stays on the property itself, and if so, does that mean it's protected... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Jan 25, 2025

Since you are not an heir in accordance with Florida Statute, Homestead protection will not apply to you, see below:

Fla. Stat. 732.103 includes as “heirs” the following persons: descendants of the decedent, decedent’s father or mother, decedent’s brothers or sisters and their...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: Can I keep homestead status (not exemption) on a property that was specifically given to me in a Will if I am a friend?

There was no spouse, no children, and no other heris. It was specifically given to me in a Will. I understand that I don't get homestead exemption from creditors. But, I wanted to know if the status of the homestead stays on the property itself, and if so, does that mean it's protected... View More

Anwar Elias Hadeed
PREMIUM
Anwar Elias Hadeed
answered on Feb 3, 2025

Great question! Here’s the breakdown:

Homestead Status vs. Exemption

Homestead Status refers to the legal characterization of the property as a homestead, offering certain protections.

Homestead Exemption offers tax benefits and protections from forced sale by creditors....
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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: If My parents left me and my brother their estate (home) and my brother died leaving no will, do his children inherit it

My brother took the money from my parents account and we agreed I'd keep the house, however we never formally filed any paperwork to document this, now his children want half the estate, are they entitled to it even tho thy never lived here or helped with it financially and he never left a... View More

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Jan 23, 2025

If there is some written documentation regarding the arrangement you and your brother agreed to, it is possible that you can keep the house. The written agreement can be in text messages, emails, or any other form of writing. Without that, your brother's children will inherit his 50% of the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: If My parents left me and my brother their estate (home) and my brother died leaving no will, do his children inherit it

My brother took the money from my parents account and we agreed I'd keep the house, however we never formally filed any paperwork to document this, now his children want half the estate, are they entitled to it even tho thy never lived here or helped with it financially and he never left a... View More

Anwar Elias Hadeed
PREMIUM
Anwar Elias Hadeed
answered on Jan 27, 2025

Since this is in Florida, your brother’s children likely have a claim to his share of the house if he passed without a will and the property wasn’t set up with rights of survivorship (which would’ve automatically made it yours). Without formal paperwork documenting your verbal agreement with... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Tax Law, Banking and Probate for Florida on
Q: FL judge determined I am heir to my dad's estate.Exempt from FL taxes.I live in MN.When I sell his house do I pay tax?

Am also wondering when I sell his house & car, do the funds go into estate account? Or because judge put everything into my name personally, & not "the estate of XYZ", does that mean funds go into my personal bank account. Am so confused, as am so used estate stuff being kept... View More

Marc J. Soss
PREMIUM
Marc J. Soss
answered on Jan 22, 2025

The house needs to be valued at its date of death value. If you sell the house for more than that amount you would be subject to taxes. But only if the net sales price is more than the appraised value.

If the Judge put everything in your name then nothing needs to go into an estate account.

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Florida on
Q: in florida can a notice of deposition duces tecum be done by an attorney to make me bring records and documents

if i want to serve the other party do i just notice them throught their attorney and does it need to say subpoena anywhere in the notice? i was looking for a template

Anwar Elias Hadeed
PREMIUM
Anwar Elias Hadeed
answered on Jan 24, 2025

In Florida, an attorney can issue a Notice of Deposition Duces Tecum to require you to bring specific records to a deposition. If you're serving the other party, you send the notice to their attorney—no need to use the word "subpoena" for parties to the case. However, if you’re... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: HOA Florida statute 720.3035 1. updated on July 1st, 2024 "limits or places requirements on the interior of a structu

Florida statute 720.3035 "1. limits or places requirements on the interior of a structure that is not visible from the parcel’s frontage or an adjacent parcel, an adjacent common area, or a community golf course." went into effect on July 1st, 2024. Does this mean HOAs can no longer... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Jan 18, 2025

The statute that was in effect at the time your restrictive covenants were recorded is controlling. New statutes generally do not apply retroactively.

You should consult with a community association lawyer to review your HOA documents (all of them) and the law that existed at that time...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Can one owner of a jointly-owned property ask a judge to force a sale due to code enforcement fines that can't be paid?

My friend does not want to file a partition suit against her brother, but she and her two brothers are unable to maintain the properties. On two of the jointly-owned properties, there are homes that are unlivable. They are being charged $100 a day by code enforcement. She and one brother want to... View More

Fernando A. Prego
Fernando A. Prego
answered on Jan 7, 2025

The siblings can file a partition action for the sale of the property, but the sale will not eliminate liens, violations, or encumbrances. A forced sale of the properties via partition would likely result in the satisfaction of the code enforcement fines, as the proceeds from the sale would be... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Florida on
Q: The house and property I have lived in for15 years has 3 years delinquent taxes. It's in my dad's name and he paid taxes

Never asked me to pay taxes. He is now in assisted living and doesn't have access to bank accounts. The property is going to be sold on Jan. 13, 2025,unless the taxes are paid. Just found this out.

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Jan 2, 2025

It is important that the taxes be paid before the date of the tax sale. Check the tax collector's website to see all the instructions for paying the taxes so close to a tax sale deadline. Anyone can pay the taxes, so it is okay for you to be the one to pay them. Typically, where there is... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Does a person who has the Power of attorney over someone have the power to change that person will and deeds?
Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Dec 31, 2024

It depends on the language in the Power of Attorney. You should consult with a lawyer who handles probate and real estate. If the person with the POA changes the will and deed to benefit themself at the exclusion of others it might be subject to challenge.

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Does a person who has the Power of attorney over someone have the power to change that person will and deeds?
Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Jan 1, 2025

Probably not, a review of the Power of Attorney would be required and an understanding of what you are doing and why, any actions as the agent of a Power of Attorney must be for the benefit of the person who gave you the Power of Attorney generally speaking, unless there is something in the POA... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Does a person who has the Power of attorney over someone have the power to change that person will and deeds?
Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jan 1, 2025

The will can only be executed by the testator (person who is leaving his or her property by will) or executed by another person in the presence of the testator and pursuant to his or her direction. So, unless it can be proven that the testator was present and told the person signing to do so, the... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Does a person who has the Power of attorney over someone have the power to change that person will and deeds?
Anwar Elias Hadeed
PREMIUM
Anwar Elias Hadeed
answered on Jan 27, 2025

No, a person with Power of Attorney (POA) cannot change someone’s will or transfer ownership of their property deeds for their own benefit.

Here’s why:

Wills: A POA only grants authority to act on behalf of someone while they are alive. It does not give the agent the power to...
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