Recent Changes In Florida’s Power Of Attorney Law

Effective October 1, 2011 the requirements for a valid power of attorney in Florida changed. These changes have significant impact on estate planning issues and on how powers of attorney can be used. The following changes have been made to Florida statute 709, Florida’s power of attorney statute: 1. An individual can no longer make a “springing” power of attorney. A springing power of attorney is a power of attorney that becomes effective in the event of disability or some future event such as incapacity. There is an exception for certain military powers of attorney that become effective upon active enrollment...

01 November

0 Comments

Sticky

Paying Child Support Through The State Is Good For The Payor & Payee

Posted by DeWitt Law Firm, P.A.

in Family Law

When a family law case concludes and a child support obligation is ordered an income deduction is almost always entered at the same time. Once that income deduction order goes into effect, one person's wages are garnished, that support payment is sent up to Tallahassee, and the State Disbursement Unit processes the payment and sends it down to the recipient. This process is cumbersome and many people do not like it. Most child support payors are offended and embarrassed to learn that their wages will be garnished. Then insult is added to injury when they are required to pay fees to...

01 November

0 Comments

Sticky

What is a Quiet Title Action?

Posted by DeWitt Law Firm, P.A.

in Foreclosure

A quiet title action is a lawsuit that is brought in circuit court to clear a party’s title to real property. The purpose of a quiet title action is to eliminate all claims to title, which might stand in the way of a title insurance company issuing a clear title insurance policy. Liens, claims by prior owners, and other matters affecting title are called "clouds" on title. The purpose of a quiet title action is to eliminate any of these "clouds" on title. Quiet title actions can be used in a number of different situations. For example, they are often used...

19 October

0 Comments

Sticky

Nonjudicial Foreclosures: Are They Coming to Florida?

Posted by DeWitt Law Firm, P.A.

in Foreclosure

In September 2011, presentations were given to both the Florida House and the Florida Senate encouraging them to pass legislation implementing nonjudicial foreclosures. Currently, between 25 and 37 states have some form of nonjudicial foreclosure. The only method of foreclosure now available in Florida, however, is a judicial foreclosure. What is the difference between a nonjudicial and a judicial foreclosure? A judicial foreclosure requires the lender to file a lawsuit and to pursue that lawsuit through the courts. This means that the foreclosure must follow the procedural rules applicable to litigation. For example, the debtor must be personally served with the foreclosure...

11 October

0 Comments

Sticky

Florida Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation

Posted by DeWitt Law Firm, P.A.

in Property Law

Florida Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation: the foundation of private property rights and recent changes to the Bert J. Harris Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act of 1995. On June 21, 2011, Florida ‘s Governor Rick Scott amended Florida Statute 70.001, also known as the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act. These amendments became effective July 1, 2011, and constitute an effort to strengthen private property rights in Florida. The major changes to this Act are as follows: 1. It allows a private property owner to file a claim on a temporary impact if that impact extends longer than...

10 October

0 Comments

Sticky

Prohibition On Gay Adoption Is Declared Unconstitutional In Florida

Posted by DeWitt Law Firm, P.A.

in Family Law, Florida Law

On September 22, 2010 the Third District Court of Appeals found that the law prohibiting homosexual adoption was unconstitutional. While this ruling only controls in a portion of the state of Florida (including Miami), its effects have been extended across the state by Governor Christ. Florida was the only state in the entire country that maintained this type of ban on gay marriage. Other states, like Arkansas and Utah, have also banned gay adoption, but those laws are limited to gay couples. In Florida the law was the most expansive, stating "No person eligible to adopt under this statute may adopt...