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3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My brother and his adult daughter were living in a 55 and over condo when he passed away. . Can she be evicted

The condo has no leans or mortgages, taxes are paid yearly, and condo fees paid monthly. She is his beneficiary

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Sep 25, 2024

I am sorry for your loss.

Very possibly. Hopefully your brother had a Will or trust; if so either the PR or successor Trustee needs to move quickly. "55 and over" communities are not just advertising words; they are either deed restrictions or by-laws which the owner agrees to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Florida on
Q: If my aunt got my child in a open adoption, can she refuse me any and all communication with my daughter?

I was under the understanding I would be able to call, write, minimal visits when I got sober. That was back in 2011-2012. 2014 I got sober and have reached out multiple times through messages and other family members. I have 2 other children now that want to know their sister. Do I have any leg to... View More

Pamela J. Fero
Pamela J. Fero
answered on Sep 25, 2024

Review and check for any explicit terms in the adoption agreement regarding your rights to contact. If you don’t have a copy of this agreement, obtaining one would be crucial. If possible, consider proposing mediation to your aunt. A third-party mediator can help facilitate a discussion and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Construction Law for Florida on
Q: I bought a house recently and had to to some electrical work on it before I can get the power turned on, I explained to

I had to get a certified electrician to do the job which I did, I explained that this is a business that I am trying to set up and I really need the light quickly and he assured me that if I hired him with in a week I would get the light, I was excited and hired him, he drew up the application and... View More

Erik A. Perez
Erik A. Perez
answered on Sep 24, 2024

This matter arguably falls under a "construction" defect claim. Florida law provides "in actions brought alleging a construction defect, the claimant shall, at least 60 days before filing any action...serve written notice of claim on the contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or design... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Florida on
Q: Hi,I'm Onur and I'm based in Turkey. I want to form an LLC in Florida, is there any ways that I can do that as a foreign

Is there any way that I can form an LLC as a Turkish citizen. I am not a US citizen, can I form an LLC there and if yes; how's the process goes and what are the prices, tax info et.?

Erik A. Perez
Erik A. Perez
answered on Sep 24, 2024

Yes, regardless of your citizenship, you can create a Florida corporation. There are only a few requirements to do so. They include, but are not limited to, registering the corporation with the Florida Department of State, registering with the IRS to obtain a tax identification, and submitting a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights for Florida on
Q: Can some one video record me and my children coming into our apartment while we are conversating in the state of Florida

The neighbors who couldn't be seen yet his phone could be was recording us while we were talking after school coming into our apartment.

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Sep 20, 2024

It depends on how public or private the setting is. Audio recording a conversation in a place where there's an expectation of privacy is a crime in Florida. That is something that should be reported to the police. Video (without sound) may or may not be lawful depending on the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Florida on
Q: Do I have to respond to an unsigned Complaint? And all exhibits against me are not signed?

The Complaint has a typed name but no signature. The exhibits all have my name added to the top of the page but are not related to me in any other way.

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Sep 20, 2024

If you received a SUMMONS with the court complaint, you must comply with the instructions in the summons, which notifies the named defendant that failure to file a response may result in the defendant's money, wages, or property being taken without further notification. Any defenses or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: Can I legally break my lease due to a neighbor in Florida?

My neighbors fight all night long. We’ve got documentation to prove we’ve talked to our property manager multiple times and we’ve had to call the cops on them multiple times due to domestic violence. Is there anything I can do that constitutes leaving early?

Joseph Raymond Schwantes
Joseph Raymond Schwantes
answered on Sep 19, 2024

There may be a way for you to terminate the lease due to a breach of quiet enjoyment. You should bring up the issue to the landlord and keep a record of the disturbances (the time and the type of noise). You should not just stop paying rent or move out quietly though as the lease and/or state law... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: I live in Florida. My children live in ny. How do I go about getting custody or at least scheduled visits?
Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 19, 2024

If your children have lived in NY for longer than six months then you need to file for timesharing in NY in the jurisdiction where the children live. If you were never married to the other parent and have never been to court then it would be a paternity case. Speak with a local family lawyer for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What are my protections when selling my portion of parents estate to my sibling? He will pay me over 7 year period.

I am concerned about what happens if he dies or sells the home before the 7 years of payments are made.

The estate is in Georgia. I live in Florida and the brother and a sister live in Georgia.

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 18, 2024

In order to adequately protect yourself, you will need to secure the repayment against the property through a promissory note and security deed. It is the only legal way to ensure you are paid as scheduled. This will not only give you the ability to foreclose on the property if not paid as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Florida on
Q: Is transferring money from a trust to caregiver account a thing to get approved for Medicaid?

I have looked all over internet and all I see is getting paid as a caregiver but not this caregiver account transfer.my husbands step dad says it is needed to avoid look back to get Medicaid. His attorneys told him to transfer trust into caregiver account under my husband and I. Eventually after... View More

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Sep 17, 2024

Please make sure that you are working with a knowledgeable Medicaid Planning/Elder Law Attorney. There is a contract called a Personal Services Contract that when executed properly allows a front loaded payment to a caregiver or care manager (usually a trusted family member) based on the actuarial... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Construction Law for Florida on
Q: I bought a house recently and had to to some electrical work on it before I can get the power turned on.

I had to get a certified electrician to do the job which I did, I explained that this is a business that I am trying to set up and I really need the light quickly and he assured me that if I hired him with in a week I would get the light, I was excited and hired him, he drew up the application and... View More

Erik A. Perez
Erik A. Perez
answered on Sep 17, 2024

I am sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, these situations occur often with contractors. Florida law provides that you must provide the contractor with notice pursuant to the Chapter 558 process when there is a construction defect claim. Thereafter, the contractor is on notice of the issues and has... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Business Law, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: Can I get my application fee back if the application was not complete?

I applied for an apartment and was asked to pay an application fee of $290. Later the management team had a server change and I was asked to pay the application fee again. It was $60 this time. I paid another $60 because the front desk said they could refund the money back through bank or credit on... View More

Erik A. Perez
Erik A. Perez
answered on Sep 17, 2024

Yes, you appear to have a viable claim against the management company. There are several causes of action that seem applicable. I think you need to apply some pressure, as I'm not sure what their intention was, but the optics aren't great for them and this could be seen as stealing. I... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Florida on
Q: If I have one final hearing in my case, but I am missing evidence from the other side, can I still compel discovery

The final hearing is an evidentiary hearing

Erik A. Perez
Erik A. Perez
answered on Sep 17, 2024

The answer depends on the substance of evidentiary hearing and the case management deadlines. If the the discovery deadline has passed, then you may not be able to compel the production of evidence. Nevertheless, most courts require disclosures of the exhibits prior to an evidentiary hearing, as no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Selling an inherited property. How is the executor supposed to be reimbursed for estate expenses?

I am the personal representative named in the will. The will was admitted to probate and a summary administration order was entered in 2023. There was never anything in the "estate" - except the house, which is a homestead property. The reason probate was required was to have the court... View More

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 17, 2024

As the executor (personal representative) of an estate, you're entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred in managing the estate, including maintaining and selling the homestead, if the will allows you to be compensated. Here's how you can proceed:

Document all...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: What does reunification generally look like in Florida?

Father has been absent for 4 years (since birth) and now wants to petition for custody out of the blue. Is mental health counseling generally a part of the reunification plan? How long are the gradual steps for reunification? Will he ultimately get to 50/50 custody? I just want to understand whats... View More

Destardes Moore
PREMIUM
Destardes Moore
answered on Sep 17, 2024

Reunification varies based on the specific circumstances of each case. If mental health concerns are raised in the pleadings, evaluations may be ordered. Initially, supervised timesharing is often implemented when there is a significant gap in time, and the child is unfamiliar with the other... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Criminal Law and Libel & Slander for Florida on
Q: Family member has died. Family member named one person as beneficiary. Advice appreciated.

A close family member has died. Only one person was named beneficiary of the estate. The beneficiary truly loved the family member that died and took care of that family member with good intentions for a long time. Other people in the family did nothing to help the grantor when he was very sick and... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 14, 2024

There is nothing the toxic family members can do, but if they keep it up, the person being slandered can consider getting a civil litigation attorney and filing suit against them for these behaviors, at best it may be to just ignore them if possible and hopefully they will tire, if not, then... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Contracts, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: After a mortgage holder has died, what happens to the mortgage? Thank you.

If someone has extended and is holding a personal mortgage to another person for real estate, and receiving payment every month, and then they die, what happens to the mortgage? What is the process for that mortgage? Does it remain in the deceased persons name and still paid to them? Or Is the... View More

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 14, 2024

If the payee of a mortgage dies, the mortgage is still enforceable. The personal representative of the estate has the right to collect the mortgage payments, foreclose on the mortgage, and otherwise take actions that they deceased would have been able to take until such times as the estate is... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Contracts, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: After a mortgage holder has died, what happens to the mortgage? Thank you.

If someone has extended and is holding a personal mortgage to another person for real estate, and receiving payment every month, and then they die, what happens to the mortgage? What is the process for that mortgage? Does it remain in the deceased persons name and still paid to them? Or Is the... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 14, 2024

The mortgage stays with the property and the estate is responsible for it as part of probate, you to be sure should make a claim in the probate for what you are owed (statement of claim). In general, the estate will pay it, or the beneficiaries take it over and continue to pay it. Because this is a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Florida on
Q: Would like to know the steps to get compensation for Food Poisoning.

My family and I bought some food items from a Shell Gas station. We got home, and cooked them in the microwave. After consuming it, we noticed it had mold in the middle of it. The next day we experienced vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache. We checked the packaging, and noticed the date on... View More

Matthew Douglas Powell
Matthew Douglas Powell
answered on Sep 13, 2024

As the plaintiffs, you will have the burden of proof to prove the food you purchased caused the poisoning you and your family suffered. The important evidence you will need are: Proof you purchased the bad food from the Defendant. Proof that the food was unhealthy, which may be proved by the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: How do I know if I am actually divorced?

I got married in Florida in July 2005 after knowing my exhusband for only three months. After we were married I learned he is a criminal, has mental issues, and he became very abusive. He spent the majority of our marriage in and out of Jail & mental hospitals. I left multiple times but he... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 12, 2024

You may want to hire a private investigator for this. If the divorce happened in Florida then you should be able to find a record of it. If it in fact never happened then you can file a divorce now. In the final judgment you will need to include that he has no legal rights to any of your property.... View More

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