News/Blog
Homeowners Associations, Insurance, And Leaky Windows After Florida Hurricanes
When it comes to figuring out whether a homeowners’ association is liable for damage, it largely depends upon a) what caused the damage and b) the declaration of condominium. Take, for example, windows in Florida homeowners’ associations that started leaking after Hurricane Irma: As a general rule, any damage done by a hurricane falls… Read More »
Florida Legislature Tackling Hurricane Issues
Following the significant damage that Hurricane Irma inflicted on the state of Florida, storm damage and recovery is a major priority on the Florida legislature’s agenda this year. The session opened on January 9th, with the Florida House focusing on storm preparations and recovery, and the Senate on economic damage. According to the National… Read More »
Flood Claims Likely Biggest Headache For Florida Hurricane Victims
When it comes to hurricane claims, the last thing that any Floridian wants to hear is that their claim has been denied. And yet that is the case for many in our state, especially when it comes to flood claims. In fact, according to statements made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in… Read More »
Advice On Social Media During Divorce
As posting on social media becomes more and more popular, it also becomes relevant to divorce proceedings. Specifically, social media activities often either contribute to the cause of the divorce, or can be used against individuals in divorce proceedings. A study recently published in the Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking found that… Read More »
Eleventh Circuit Upholds Strict Standard For Finding Insurance Bad Faith Behavior
The U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (covering Florida) recently made a decision helpful to insurance companies fighting insurance bad faith claims. Specifically, the court held that no reasonable jury could find that an insurer’s failure to disclose information about additional insurance in its statutory insurance disclosure rose to the level of bad faith…. Read More »
Commercial Landlords & Tenant Bankruptcy
Tenants filing for bankruptcy is less of an issue for residential landlords, but an increasingly frustrating problem for commercial landlords as we get further into 2018. As a result, it is important—now more than ever—that commercial landlords know what their rights are when it comes to how tenant bankruptcy affects lease agreements. Rules: Before… Read More »
Becoming Financially Independent During & After Divorce
No divorce is the same as another—each one is unique based upon the relationship and the unique circumstances involved. Still, all divorces have at least one thing in common: the need to make intelligent financial decisions if you’re going through it. Below, we provide some guidance on how to ensure that you are “financially… Read More »
Florida Braces Itself For 17 More Weeks Of Hurricane Season
You may not realize that, even as of early February, Florida still technically has 17 weeks left of hurricane season, with more and more potential property damage looming. As a result, emergency management officials in Sarasota and surrounding areas are scrambling to put lessons learned after Irma into practice to get ahead of more… Read More »
The New Tax Law Complicates Divorce & Alimony
The new tax bill has received a lot of attention in the media. However, many do not realize that it will have implications on divorce and alimony payments (in addition to tax deductions). Below, we discuss some of the ramifications of the law in greater detail, with a focus on how it complicates divorce…. Read More »
Common Questions Involving “Material Alterations” In Homeowners’ Associations
As attorneys who regularly represent homeowners associations and property managers, we frequently get questions about what the board can do with and without membership approval. These types of questions ultimately come down to distinguishing between what is and is not a “material alteration.” The general rule is that if the proposed change is a… Read More »
