Force Majeure Clauses in Florida Real Estate Contracts: What You Need to Know A force majeure clause is a provision in a contract that allows one or both parties to excuse (or sometimes delay) their performance obligations if circumstances beyond their control arise. These circumstances are typically called “force majeure events.” Force majeure clauses areContinue reading “The Force Is Strong With This One: Force Majeure Clauses in Real Estate Contracts”
Author Archives: Joseph Battaglia
Bradenton attorney Joseph Battaglia handles real estate, bankruptcy, and debtor/creditor litigation matters. He has been licensed since 2008.
The Silent Thief: How False Documents Can Steal Your Property
Don’t Let Your Home Be Next Real property fraud is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for the victim. It can involve the theft of a property, the loss of a home, or financial ruin. A common type of real property fraud is the filing of false documents. In some cases, the fraudsterContinue reading “The Silent Thief: How False Documents Can Steal Your Property”
Good Deeds Come Cheap (and sometimes, free)
Don’t Get Tricked into Paying More Than You Should for a Copy of Your Deed If you’re a new homeowner in Florida, you may have received a letter in the mail offering to provide you with a copy of your property deed for a fee of $100.00 or more. If you have received such aContinue reading “Good Deeds Come Cheap (and sometimes, free)”
Lakewood Ranch Attorney Joseph Battaglia Certified by the Florida Bar as a Specialist in the Area of Real Estate Law
Battaglia Law, PLLC is proud to announce that, on August 1, 2023, attorney Joseph B. Battaglia became Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Real Estate Law Licensed in 2008, Mr. Battaglia practiced for a number of years exclusively in the areas of bankruptcy and debtor-creditor litigation. However, in 2016 he decided to refresh hisContinue reading “Lakewood Ranch Attorney Joseph Battaglia Certified by the Florida Bar as a Specialist in the Area of Real Estate Law”
How Title Insurance May Have Saved My Client $1 Million
When title insurance is needed, it’s worth every penny I recently assisted a client who had purchased a home in Lakewood Ranch and paid cash. My office did not handle the closing, nor was I involved in any way with the real estate closing at the time. Rather, my client hired me about 7 monthsContinue reading “How Title Insurance May Have Saved My Client $1 Million”
FAR/BAR Residential Contract and FAR/BAR “As Is” Residential Contract Revised as of July 1, 2023
The Florida Realtors / Florida Bar (“FARBAR”) Residential Contract for Sale and Purchase and the “AS IS” Residential Contract for Sale and Purchase have been updated as of July 1, 2023. The new revised versions are identifiable by “6x” and “Rev. 7/23” notations towards the lower left-hand corner of each contract. The changes to bothContinue reading “FAR/BAR Residential Contract and FAR/BAR “As Is” Residential Contract Revised as of July 1, 2023″
Florida Statutes § 692.201 (SB 264): “Foreign Countries of Concern”
Pursuant to Florida Senate Bill 264 (2023), which created Florida Statutes § 692.201, the Foreign countries of concern, including any agency of or any other entity of significant control of such foreign countries of concern, are:
New Florida Law Prohibits “Foreign Principals” from Purchasing Certain Real Property
A new law in Florida will prohibit foreign principals from purchasing agricultural land or certain real property in the state. The law, Senate Bill 264, was signed into law on May 8, 2023, and becomes effective July 1, 2023. The law creates what is now Part III of Florida Statutes Chapter 692 (to be codifiedContinue reading “New Florida Law Prohibits “Foreign Principals” from Purchasing Certain Real Property”
The Case of the Fake Cases
A Cautionary Tale of the Risk of Blind Reliance on Artificial Intelligence In a recent federal case, two lawyers were sanctioned by a judge for citing fake cases in their brief that was filed with the court. This occurred in the case of Mata v. Avianca, Inc., Case 22-cv-1461, filed in U.S. District Court forContinue reading “The Case of the Fake Cases”
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Means Test Median Family Income Levels By State as of April 1, 2023
As of April 1, 2023, the median family income levels for Florida have INCREASED, which generally benefits individuals who are in need of debt relief, as it typically makes it easier to qualify for chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. Below you will find the median family income levels utilized by the United States Trustee Program forContinue reading “Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Means Test Median Family Income Levels By State as of April 1, 2023”