Florida Statutes
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New Florida Law May Allow Some Florida Hurricane Victims to Qualify for Property Tax Refunds
This time of year many Florida homeowners are understandably focused on property tax savings from the Florida homestead tax exemption. However, following the unprecedented 2024 hurricane season that we Floridians experienced, it’s important to remember that another valuable tax relief option exists: the Catastrophic Damage Tax Refund. This refund provides financial assistance to property owners…
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Don’t Forget to File for the Florida Homestead Tax Exemption
The statutory deadline to file is March 1. Failure to timely file constitutes a waiver of your entitlement to the tax savings for the year. Homeowners in Florida may be entitled to a substantial tax benefit known as the Florida Homestead Tax Exemption, which is a two-pronged benefit in the form of: If you recently…
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Show Me the Money! Refunds of Estoppel Certificate Fees in Cancelled Florida Real Estate Transactions.
Know Your Rights Under Florida Law When a real estate transaction in Florida falls through, it can be a frustrating and costly experience. One often-overlooked expense is the estoppel certificate fee. These fees, charged by homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to verify information about a property, can be substantial. But what happens to these fees if the…
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New Florida Law Aims to Keep Unsuspecting Buyers From Being Flooded by Loopholes
Florida is a state that is prone to flooding. This is due to a number of factors, including the state’s low-lying geography, its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and its susceptibility to hurricanes. 2024 has definitely been one for the books, but it is likely to be a glimpse of…
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Old School Bankruptcy Exemption Gets a Modern Facelift
A Victory for Florida Debtors. There was a recent change to Florida law that benefits the vast majority of individuals filing for bankruptcy protection in Florida. Specifically, the change in law provides a long-overdue increase to the bankruptcy property exemptions that Florida debtors are able to claim. What’s a Bankruptcy Property Exemption? When facing financial…
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House Bill 621: Reclaiming Your Property Rights in Florida
Florida’s House Bill 621 (HB 621), which went into effect on July 1, 2024, has significantly impacted the state’s landlord-tenant landscape. This legislation, which created Florida Statutes § 82.036, addresses the growing issue of unauthorized occupants in rental properties, offering a streamlined process for eviction in specific situations. Expedited Eviction for Unwanted Tenants Prior to…
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Document Preparation Fee? Not On My Watch.
Protecting Your Interests During Real Estate Closings The sale of Florida real estate signifies a significant financial transaction, often marking a new chapter for sellers. However, navigating the intricacies of closing costs can be a complex and potentially contentious process. It’s no secret that every transaction has closing costs, some of which are paid by…
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Negligence After Nuptials: Ripple’s Effects on Spouse Compensation Under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act
The sudden loss of a spouse is devastating. When that loss is caused by someone else’s negligence, the emotional and financial burden can be overwhelming. In the past, Florida law limited the ability of surviving spouses to seek compensation if they married after their spouse’s injury. The recent Supreme Court of Florida case, Ripple v.…