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I inherited a Florida homestead legally through probate court in 2024. I was already residing in the home with my mother before she passed away, and this is my permanent residence. However, the homestead property tax exemption was removed because the property appraiser claimed I did not own the... View More

answered on Mar 21, 2025
If the probate had been done and completed and the property transferred to you via Petition to Determine Homestead Status of Real Property, you should be able to record the court order and that will prove your ownership and you can apply for Homestead for tax purposes, you will not be able to carry... View More
My father passed away in 2018 while living in Panama City, Florida. There is no record of a will or probate case. I recently discovered that he has unclaimed property (a checking account) listed with the Florida unclaimed property division. I live in California, and I have one brother—there are... View More

answered on Mar 21, 2025
Generally, when there is no Will, the Florida Intestate Statutes (without a Will) are going to apply, this usually means to the surviving spouse, the children in equal shares and so forth according to Florida Statute. Whether a probate is required the Florida Department of Financial Services will... View More
I am still legally married but have been separated from my husband for 4 years. We have not signed any agreements regarding our house, which was purchased during our marriage. I am not on the deed, and I plan to file for divorce this year. I need to know if I am entitled to receive half of the... View More

answered on Mar 18, 2025
The answer to your question is not that simple. In a divorce the starting point for division of property is 50/50. However, there are many factors that can change that. For example, since you have been separated for four years I am assuming that you have not paid anything towards the house for the... View More
I am still legally married but have been separated from my husband for 4 years. We have not signed any agreements regarding our house, which was purchased during our marriage. I am not on the deed, and I plan to file for divorce this year. I need to know if I am entitled to receive half of the... View More

answered on Mar 19, 2025
A home purchased during the marriage is typically considered marital property subject to equitable distribution, regardless of whose name is on the deed. The percentage you are entitled to receive is determined during the divorce process based on various factors. If your husband made mortgage... View More
I am still legally married but have been separated from my husband for 4 years. We have not signed any agreements regarding our house, which was purchased during our marriage. I am not on the deed, and I plan to file for divorce this year. I need to know if I am entitled to receive half of the... View More

answered on Mar 18, 2025
Whether you are entitled to half the proceeds from a house bought during your marriage, even if you are not on the deed, depends heavily on the laws of your specific state.
Some states are "community property" states. In these states, assets acquired during the marriage are... View More
I am still legally married but have been separated from my husband for 4 years. We have not signed any agreements regarding our house, which was purchased during our marriage. I am not on the deed, and I plan to file for divorce this year. I need to know if I am entitled to receive half of the... View More

answered on Mar 18, 2025
Are You Entitled to Half the Proceeds? Yes, generally—If the home was purchased during the marriage with marital funds, it is a marital asset, and you likely have a claim to half of the equity. However, if your husband purchased the house with non-marital funds (such as an inheritance) and can... View More
I live in a residential property with an HOA in Florida. Currently, I display a service flag off my porch and have a 20-foot freestanding flagpole in my front yard with a 4' x 6' American flag and a 2' x 3' POW-MIA flag. The HOA property manager is telling me that I cannot have... View More

answered on Mar 18, 2025
Florida Statute Section 720.304(2)(a) allows you to fly up to two (2) flags that are no larger than 4.5' x 6'. They can be a US flag, Florida flag, POW-MIA flag, first responder flag, or any US military flag. The 20' flagpole is the maximum height allowed. This has been a Florida... View More
I have a Home Equity Installment (HEI) that was in the first lien position on my property. Recently, I discovered through emails that my mortgage lender instructed my homeowner's insurance agent to change their position to first lien without notifying me or the HEI company. No Subordination... View More

answered on Mar 17, 2025
Whichever lender filed their security instrument first has priority unless there is an executed subordination agreement recorded. Hire a FL to search the title and determine your title's exact status. Such a so called "HEI" mortgage is almost always second or third in priority, as... View More
In October 2024, I notified the company of a defective section of flooring in my house under warranty. The warranty covers repairs and replacements for one year. Despite numerous telephone conversations—eight in total, with the last on March 4, 2025, when the manager assured me that repair work... View More

answered on Mar 17, 2025
You may pursue a claim for construction defects and other causes of action that may apply. However, you must first comply with the pre-suit process under the statute which requires that a notice and opportunity to repair be provided to the contractor. Chapter 558 specifies "the notice of claim... View More
I am facing a partition action filed by a co-owner, who is falsely alleging that I am refusing to sell or vacate the property and preventing her from accessing it. In reality, she is guilty of these actions. I have met with several realtors, waiting for her to list the property, and I am currently... View More

answered on Mar 14, 2025
If you are facing a partition and you are willing to sell, you would likely be able to negotiate a settlement where the property is sold without intervention by the court. The competing allegations of exclusive possession, lack of access, etc. would be issues to settle in the negotiations. If you... View More
I'm experiencing issues with my HOA as they are ignoring my requests to update owner records and tenant dispute resolutions. I've tried communicating with them to update these legal documents, but they haven't responded. I've documented my communications, but the disputes with... View More

answered on Mar 13, 2025
It depends on what owner records you are trying to update and if you are the owner on the deed. More information is needed to provide you advice. Generally, in the community association industry, family members attempt to update information for elderly parents or other relatives and the HOA and... View More
My mom recently passed away, and I have been living with her for 15 years. During this time, I have been the one paying the mortgage, although I am not on the deed. There is no will, but my brother has no interest in the house. My mother intended to leave the house to me, and we were in the process... View More

answered on Mar 11, 2025
In order to get the property into your name, you will need to file for probate. If the house is the only asset of your mother, you can file for summary administration and establish the property as her homestead. The property will then transfer to you and your brother. Last, he will need to sign a... View More
My mom recently passed away, and I have been living with her for 15 years. During this time, I have been the one paying the mortgage, although I am not on the deed. There is no will, but my brother has no interest in the house. My mother intended to leave the house to me, and we were in the process... View More

answered on Mar 11, 2025
I am sorry for your loss on the passing of your mom, please accept my condolences for you and your family at this sad time. When there is no Will, the Florida Intestate (without a Will) Statutes are applied. This basically means that assets go to the surviving spouse, if there is no spouse it goes... View More
I'm owed $30,000 by a friend, and she wants to sign over a cashier's check for the same amount to me, which she received from selling land. There is no contract between us regarding the debt. Can this be done legally, and are there any potential issues I should be aware of? No one else is... View More

answered on Mar 10, 2025
To be safe, I would recommend having a settlement agreement prepared and signed by the parties. Simply signing over the check leaves the situation open to ambiguity and interpretation. It is highly advisable to have a proper settlement agreement prepared, reviewed, and signed by the parties... View More
I am currently going through a divorce that was filed in Canada, and we jointly own a property in Florida. The property is held in joint tenancy, and my spouse has been residing there for the past three months while I am in Canada. There are no existing agreements or court orders regarding the... View More

answered on Mar 10, 2025
To a certain degree it will surely depend on what you divorce decree states, I would encourage that you reach an amicable resolution and compromise as it relates to the property (buyout, refinance or agree to sell the property0, if none of that can be attained, then you will be stuck with a... View More
I am a non-resident of Florida attempting to petition for divorce from my spouse who has lived in Florida for less than 6 months and refuses to acknowledge the divorce. We have no children, but there is a jointly owned house in West Palm Beach, Florida. I have initiated the divorce process in... View More

answered on Mar 10, 2025
You can file in Florida but not until she has been in Florida for at least 6 months. You can try and file it sooner than the 6 months if there would be no other jurisdiction that could address the divorce, but to be safe you would want to wait the 6 months if you can.
I purchased a property in Florida from my brother who had medical issues and can no longer stay there. Upon visiting the property, I discovered squatters living there. They claim there's nothing I can do to remove them. There is no formal lease agreement, and I have the deed to the property.... View More

answered on Mar 9, 2025
You can call the sheriff.
Florida Statute 82.036:
(2) A property owner or his or her authorized agent may request from the sheriff of the county in which the property is located the immediate removal of a person or persons unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling pursuant to... View More
I'm considering adding a name to my home deed using a Lady Bird Johnson deed for the purpose of survivorship and avoiding probate since I do not have a will. The deed is currently solely in my name, and there are no mortgages or liens on the property. I have not yet consulted with a lawyer and... View More

answered on Mar 5, 2025
An Enhanced Life Estate Deed (Ladybird Deed) is one option to accomplish your stated goal and will avoid probate, if that person predeceases you, that will be a problem, and you will probably end up right back in probate. While a Trust would cost more, it would also avoid probate and give you say... View More
I'm considering adding a name to my home deed using a Lady Bird Johnson deed for the purpose of survivorship and avoiding probate since I do not have a will. The deed is currently solely in my name, and there are no mortgages or liens on the property. I have not yet consulted with a lawyer and... View More

answered on Mar 10, 2025
A Lady Bird Deed (Enhanced Life Estate Deed) is a great way to avoid probate while keeping full control of your property during your lifetime. It allows you to name a beneficiary who will automatically inherit the home upon your passing, without the need for probate. You can sell, mortgage, or... View More
I have been living in my deceased grandmother’s property since it was built in 1990. She did not leave a will or legal documents for the property. I am her first grandchild and her daughter, my mother, is also deceased. My uncle, her surviving son, and my younger sibling are involved as well.... View More

answered on Mar 10, 2025
In Florida, if your grandmother passed away without a will (intestate), her property would typically pass to her heirs under Florida intestacy laws (Fla. Stat. § 732.103). Since your mother (her daughter) is deceased, her share would likely pass to you and your sibling, while your uncle, as her... View More
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