Joseph Battaglia
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Bought a New Build in Florida? You Might Be Owed Money From the Builder.
And we can help. Congratulations on your beautiful new construction home in the Sunshine State! But before you sink into those beachy vibes, there’s one important detail to consider: post-closing tax re-proration provisions. In plain English, this means you might be entitled to money back from the builder (the seller) due to potential discrepancies between…
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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Means Test Median Family Income Levels By State, as of November 1, 2024
For bankruptcy cases filed on or after November 1, 2024, the median income figure for a household of 1 earner in Florida has increased to $63,916 (from $62,973). Below you will find the median family income levels utilized by the United States Trustee Program for means testing individuals who have filed for bankruptcy relief. Median…
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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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Cancelled Flights? Know Your Refund Rights.
New Federal Regulation: Stronger Protections for Airline Passengers For decades, airline passengers have often felt at the mercy of the airlines when it comes to flight cancellations and disruptions. However, recent years have seen a gradual increase in consumer protections, culminating in the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Signed into law by…
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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 property exemptions that Florida debtors are able to claim. What’s an Exemption? When facing financial hardship, bankruptcy can…
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Vote, Florida!
The general election is swiftly approaching and 2024 is proving to be another milestone event for our country, potentially shaping our democracy and the path of our country for decades to come. While the focus is always on the presidential race, the lives of anyone reading this will likely be impacted much greater by the…
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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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Yea, BOI.
Deadline to File Initial BOI Report for Entities Created Prior to January 1, 2024 Filing Deadline Approaching for Many Legal Entities If you own or control an entity, such as a limited liability company (“LLC”) or a corporation (but not limited to these), an informational report will need to be filed that, prior to January…
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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…