Real Estate
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Florida Ladybird Deeds: Simple Solutions for Complex Situations?
Deciding what to do with your assets when you pass can be a bittersweet experience, though it is unquestionably the responsible thing to do. While it represents a cherished legacy, navigating the legalities can feel overwhelming. This is where Ladybird Deeds, also known as Enhanced Life Estate Deeds, come in. What is a Ladybird Deed? A Ladybird Deed allows…
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Navigating the Sunshine State’s Property Taxes: Deadlines, Discounts, and Avoiding Foreclosure
Florida, with its beautiful weather and sandy beaches, attracts not only tourists but also residents seeking a permanent paradise. However, paradise comes with a price tag, and a significant portion of that tag is property taxes. As a Florida real estate attorney, I get many questions from clients about property taxes, especially regarding deadlines, discounts,…
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Reissue Me This, Batt, Man
Calculating Title Insurance Savings Should Never Be a Riddle As a Florida real estate attorney, I understand the importance of a smooth and cost-effective closing process for my clients. One way we achieve this at Battaglia Law, PLLC is by proactively applying reissue credit on title insurance premiums, whenever possible. What is a Reissue Credit?…
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Estoppel Certificate & Other HOA Fees: Junk or Justified?
As a board certified real estate lawyer in Florida, I frequently deal with estoppel certificates, including reviewing them and ordering them from associations and their management companies. If you are unfamiliar with what an estoppel certificate is, here is a previous blog post that provides some general information. But, briefly, estoppel certificates are official statements…
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New Federal Law Requires Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership Information of All Entities, Old and New
As of January 1, 2024, a significant change has impacted American businesses with the implementation of the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This law requires many businesses to disclose information about their beneficial owners, individuals who ultimately control or own 25% or more of the company’s interest. This is by the filing of a report…
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What’s in a Name? De-Thorning the Ambiguity of “Post-Office Address” in Florida Statutes § 695.26
As Shakespeare’s Juliet wisely declared, “What’s in a name?” Indeed, when it comes to love, a Montague by any other name would still possess the intoxicating allure of a summer rose. But in the realm of Florida real estate law, words in statutes matter. And usage of one word in lieu of another can have…
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A Family’s Florida Homestead Saved, Just in Time for the Holidays
The legal practice area of real estate law touches on so many unique aspects. Because of this, and as a Florida Bar board certified real estate attorney, that means that I handle a number of diverse cases, all with unique challenges. However, few matters have been as emotionally charged, but ultimately rewarding, as the one…
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Burnett v. National Association of Realtors – The 1.8 Billion Dollar Verdict That Could Reshape an Entire Industry
Yes… with a “B” On October 31, 2023, a federal jury in Missouri returned a verdict finding the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several large brokerages liable for antitrust violations in a class-action lawsuit filed by home sellers. The case is Burnett et al v. The National Association of Realtors et al, U.S. District…
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The Silent Thief: Fraudulent 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 fraudster…