Author Archives: Site Administrator
Life estate deed
One of my favorite estate planning tools is the Life Estate Deed. It is also known as an “Enhanced Life Estate Deed” or “Ladybird Deed.” Basically, this deed transfers ownership of property to someone else – but you retain ownership of the property for your life. You still get to keep your homestead exemption… Read More »
Gov. Scott vetoes alimony bill
On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a bill that would have ended permanent alimony in divorce cases. He said he blocked it because it would have been disruptive for families, according to this article in the Tampa Bay Times. The reversal would have applied retroactively to people who had already settled their divorces,… Read More »
Personal injury attorneys
We are inundated with personal injury attorney ads on TV and billboards. With all this information bombarding you each day, how do you make a decision? If an attorney can afford a TV ad, does that make him or her a qualified personal injury attorney? Recently the Tampa Bay Times revealed that one law… Read More »
A few more reasons to get a will
If you have minor children, there are three very important reasons to have a will. First is to nominate someone to be the guardian of your children. Without your input, the court will appoint a guardian based upon certain legal standards. Second, you need to ensure the children do not get all of the… Read More »
Permanent alimony
Currently there is a bill pending with the Florida Legislature to eliminate permanent alimony. One thing I have learned over the 40 years practicing law is that permanent alimony is not permanent. This type of alimony can be modified if there is a substantial change in circumstances unanticipated since the entry of the Final… Read More »
Local bar association
Most people probably do not realize that there are many local Bar Associations in any given Circuit. I am a member of the Carrollwood Community Bar Association, which is a local bar association for lawyers who practice north of Busch Boulevard in Hillsborough County, Florida. The members of this association handle many different areas… Read More »
Collaborative law
Collaborative law is a new way to handle a divorce case in a non-adversary manner. Recently, our circuit in Hillsborough County adopted a rule outlining this new process. Basically, the parties try to settle their divorce case using attorneys and other experts outside the courtroom. One key factor is that the attorneys must agree… Read More »
30th anniversary
Thirty years ago, I took the oath to become a member of the Florida Bar. Back then, I thought it was a big deal, and I still feel that way today. In part, the oath provides that I will not maintain any unjust suits, I will never seek to mislead the judge and I… Read More »
New Power of Attorney statute
On October 1, 2011Florida’s new Power of Attorney statute became effective. This statute completely re-wrote the law governing this very important area that affects everyone. If you have a POA drafted under the old statute, it is still valid but there are a number of rule changes. The new statute authorizes “super powers” which… Read More »
Probate advice
There are three basic methods in which to hold ownership of property. First, you can own property in your sole name. Second, you can own property in your sole name with a beneficiary designation, such as an IRA or life insurance policy. Third, you can own property jointly with another individual. Ownership of property… Read More »
