Lawyer
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You Wouldn’t Sit On a One-Legged Stool
Preventing Wire Fraud in Real Estate Closings, Three Legs at a Time. In today’s digital age, the convenience and speed of electronic transactions have revolutionized many industries, and the real estate closing and title industry is no exception. However, this convenience has also opened the door to a growing number of scams, particularly wire fraud.…
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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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![Florida’s House Bill 837: The [Insurance] House Always Wins](https://battaglia.law/storage/2025/01/House-of-cards-Battaglia-Law.jpg)
Florida’s House Bill 837: The [Insurance] House Always Wins
As an attorney who has spent years navigating the complexities of Florida law, I’ve observed how the system can sometimes fall short of delivering true justice. Unfortunately, a law passed in 2023 by the Florida legislature, known as House Bill 837, is no exception. Now, a little more than a year later, I’d like to…
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Lawyers, Don’t Fear the Reaper
A.I. may be new and scary, but the legal profession should embrace it, not bogeyman it. One of the benefits of being a licensed Florida attorney is that, every month, without fail, I receive a nice, crisp copy of The Florida Bar News. This month was like no other as I recently received the September…
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Lakewood Ranch Real Estate Attorney Joseph Battaglia named an SRQ Magazine Elite Top Attorney for 2024
For the fourth year in a row, Lakewood Ranch real estate attorney Joseph Battaglia has been included in SRQ Magazine’s Elite Top Attorney Honoree List. The list was published in the September 2024 issue of SRQ Magazine, and Mr. Battaglia was included amongst the other attorney honorees in the real estate law category. Mr. Battaglia…
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Contracts of Adhesion, Binding Arbitration, and The House Of Mouse
Is clicking “I agree” a ticking timebomb? In the digital age, the seemingly innocuous act of clicking “I agree” on a terms and conditions agreement can have far-reaching implications for our legal rights. This is particularly true when it comes to arbitration clauses, which can significantly limit consumers’ ability to seek justice. A recent Florida…
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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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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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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.…
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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…