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- What can a personal injury attorney do for you?
- The Importance of a Real Estate Attorney in a New Transaction
- Over 150 New Florida Laws Take Effect this Month
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Monthly Archives: July 2013
DUI | DUI Conviction | Criminal Attorneys Tampa
In Florida, Law Enforcement Officers pull over drivers for numerous reasons, driving under the influence (DUI) being a common arrest. Many Florida drivers are unaware of the definition of a DUI, the consequences that result from such actions, as well as what to do if pulled over for suspicion of DUI.
DUI
DUI, or Driving Under the Influence, generally refers to a person who has physical control of a vehicle while that person’s normal faculties are impaired by:
- Any type of drug
- Alcohol
- Illicit drugs
- Prescription medication
Therefore, if you are under the influence of drugs other than alcohol and are in actual physical control of a vehicle, you can still potentially be charged with a DUI.
In Florida, a blood alcohol level of .08 or more constitutes alcohol impairment beyond the legal limit. However, a police officer may still arrest you for a lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) if they suspect that your normal faculties are impaired while operating a motor vehicle. Having a BAC under a .08 will increase your chances of overcoming the DUI conviction, but you may still be arrested and endure several hassles that go along with combating a DUI charge.
Police officers look for many physical signs of impairment once pulled over. Initially the driver may only be pulled over for a traffic offense, even minor ones; and then an officer will initiate immediate conversation to determine the potential impairment of the driver, which may result in a DUI conviction.
What to do when pulled over? 
Common signs that police will be looking for to suspect an impaired driver: the ability to maintain eye contact, slurred speech, the smell of alcohol on a driver’s breath, or bloodshot eyes.
While it is your right to not answer any questions without a lawyer present, not doing so will certainly raise the officer’s suspicion and they will likely investigate further. It is wise to answer questions vaguely and avoid delving into specifics, including any amount of alcohol you have consumed, or that you just left a party, bar, or football game.
If the Police are suspicious, they will tell you to exit the vehicle, and you must. However, you may refuse to submit to any sobriety tests conducted. Even if you think you can pass the sobriety exercises, it is likely in your best interest to politely refuse because the officer determines whether you passed based solely on their own judgment. Know that you always have the right to contact an attorney before you submit to any test.
DUI Conviction
Florida drivers that are pulled over as a result of driving under the influences whether by alcohol or from a substance may result in the following consequences:
- License Suspension
- Drastic Insurance Increases; especially when required to obtain FR-44 insurance coverage
- Complications with Employment; both present and future
- Driving Restrictions that require additional costs such as an Interlock Device installed in your vehicle for a period of 6 months, 1 year, or even 2 years, depending on your situation
- Probation
- Legal Fees and Court Costs
These consequences contribute to a multitude of difficulties that one faces when battling a DUI charge. It is important to fully understand and appreciate the severity of possible consequences associated with DUI, and always take all possible steps to avoid Driving Under the Influence.
Criminal Attorneys Tampa
If you are charged with DUI, it is important to seek legal counsel immediately from a criminal Tampa attorney! Call Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840. Make an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer to determine what your options are moving forward.
Venta corta | Abogados de bienes raíces | El proceso de venta corta
¿Tratando de evitar la ejecución hipotecaria? Una venta corta puede ser su respuesta. Los propietarios que enfrentan dificultades financieras tienen varias opciones, pero una venta corta es una solución muy común. ¿Qué es un venta corta? Una venta corta es un acuerdo entre el vendedor y el banco para vender su propiedad por un monto menor que el saldo adeudado para relevar al vendedor de la obligación de la hipoteca.
A diferencia de una ejecución hipotecaria, una venta corta puede prevenir y ayudar a evitar un golpe enorme a su puntuación de crédito que puede causar una ejecución hipotecaria. Dependiendo de la cantidad negociada de la venta y la puntualidad de los últimos pagos de la hipoteca, una venta corta puede ser una alternativa mejor.
Sabías Que? Los participantes para la venta corta pueden más adelante comprar una casa en un tiempo más corto que aquellos que ejecutar la hipoteca de su propiedad. En una venta corta se puede adquirir después de tres años a diferencia de una ejecución hipotecaria es después de siete años.
Una venta corta puede ser completada por encontrar un comprador para comprar la casa que está dispuesto a pagar el valor actual de mercado y tener el proveedor de hipotecas de acuerdo a la venta. Cualquier deficiencia después de la venta será considerada para perdón de pago con una forma 1099C que el banco le dará o puede que no le perdonara la deficiencia.
Recientemente se realizaron cambios para ayudar a agilizar el proceso de venta corta, incluyendo:
- Un enfoque para acelerarla venta corta para los prestatarios más necesitados.
- Los bancos se ahora tienen el poder a rápidamente y fácilmente calificar ciertos prestatarios que están al día en sus hipotecas para ventas en corto en algunos casos.
- HAFA ofrece a los inversionistas y propietarios soluciones accesibles para la venta en corta de su hogar.
El proceso de venta corta puede ser complicado, y el prestamista puede no estar dispuesto a negociar. Es importante saber que un abogado de bienes raíces puede ayudar a negociar la venta y las condiciones con su banco hipotecario y proporcionarle la tranquilidad de que su venta corta está siendo manejado por un profesional responsable.
Si usted tiene preguntas legales sobre su venta corta o está considerando sus opciones, llame Blick Law Firm hoy al (813) 931-0840 para programar una consulta gratis de 15 minutos con el abogado Michael Blickensderfer .
Bankruptcy Attorneys Tampa | Discharge Debt | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Get a start today and eliminate debt! The main advantage to filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy is the discharge of most debt in order to pay the things that are important to you, and begin rebuilding your credit again!
Bankruptcy is a complex area of law and involves many considerations, including whether to file, determining which type of Bankruptcy to file, the use of exemptions, understanding the protections of the Bankruptcy Code and using them to your advantage.
What does it mean to discharge your debt?
When you are in the process of filing for bankruptcy, the entire process is usually completed within four months, and the debtor then receives a discharge of all dischargeable debts. The advantage to filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is that your unsecured debt is completely eliminated, the process is fairly quick, and the automatic stay that takes place after filing prohibits creditors from making collection efforts.
What are you able to discharge when filing for bankruptcy?
The discharge totally eliminates the obligation to pay many types of debt including: credit card debt, old medical bills, utilities bills, unsecured loans, pay day loans, and most other types of unsecured debt.
Are all types of debt dischargeable?
Certain types of debt cannot be avoided by filing for bankruptcy including: student loans, child support and alimony payments, court fines, DUI judgments against the debtor, and debts incurred by fraud.
AVOID CREDITOR HARASSMENT: Once a debtor files for bankruptcy, there is an automatic stay on the collection of debt and most creditors must terminate their collection efforts immediately. The stay is an automatic court order that prohibits all sorts of collection attempts by creditors, and postpones most actions against the debtor, including repossessions, garnishments or attachments, utility shutoffs, foreclosures, and evictions.
Why hire a bankruptcy attorney?
It is important to be aware that while Chapter 7 Bankruptcy may ultimately relieve a debtor of the burden of insurmountable unsecured debt, it is a process that requires the production of several documents and tedious preparation. The more prepared the debtor is, the more seamless the process becomes that is why a trusted bankruptcy attorney may be beneficial in walking you through the process.
No matter what your situation is, obtaining quality legal consultation from an experienced bankruptcy attorney is beneficial. Contact Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer to assess what option is best for you. Think quick, call Blick!
Hire a Real Estate Attorney | Home Buying | Title Insurance
Buying a home is a complex process and in order to ensure your future investment is a secure and legal, hiring a real estate attorney to handle the purchase of your home should be considered.
Many times a home buyer may seek counsel from a title agency or realtor. In fact, Florida does not require you to hire an attorney for a title closing like many states. While that may be the case in Florida, those using a real estate or title agent alone need to be aware of the risks involved.
The Law
A title company or realtor may not advise you legally regarding any matters related to your home purchase. The process of purchasing a home is complex and a company that you hire should be able to provide you with legal direction and abide by state ethical standards; these qualities cannot be upheld simply by a real estate agent.
What is Title Insurance?
Title insurance is a rarely understood protection necessary when purchasing a new home or property. Contrary to other forms of insurance that protect against future loss or damage, Title Insurance protects against past events that may cause loss or damage after the purchase of new property due to a failure or defect of the title.
For instance, when purchasing Title Insurance, the title company will conduct a search of public land records to discover potential matters affecting the title of the property. Common issues include: improperly prepared deeds, open mortgages, wills, probate proceedings, outstanding judgments or tax liens against the property or individuals, covenants and restrictions, and easements. After the records search, the buyer is then issued the Title Insurance.
While the records search conducted by the title company is generally exhaustive, many problems can still exist and affect the validity of the title. Disputes can still arise due to mistakes in the public record, previously undisclosed heirs claiming to own the property, and fraud…. These hidden hazards do exist, and Title Insurance will protect you against these potential problems and pay for any legal fees involved in defending a claim.
Real Estate Agents
Real estate lawyers are obligated by law to fully disclose legal options for the home buyer, unlike realtors or title companies that are prohibited from giving legal advice without a license to practice law. The comfort of knowing your best legal options when purchasing a home may be a big factor for overall security and peace of mind.
An experienced real estate attorney can provide professional legal advice, and interpret the very complicated language involved in most Closing documents. The attorney is also capable of identifying potential problems with your purchase documentation, and can save you the hassle of dealing with unexpected complications that may arise during the Real Estate purchase process.
It is important to not only seek a title company for protection when purchasing a new home, but also making sure that the title company has an experienced and competent real estate attorney.
A real estate lawyer that handles and serves clients in title services is able to take legal action as needed to protect clients from any future problems that may arise. An attorney can properly analyze your housing situation to handle any issues, insuring you and your loved ones a secure real estate closing for your new home.
Educate Yourself
A Real Estate Closing is the final step of the home purchase process, whereby the buyer and seller sign the papers to transfer the ownership of the home. In order to complete this final phase of the purchase process, it is important to understand the timeline of requirements that take place leading up to the Closing.
First, a buyer must open an escrow account with a neutral third party, whereby the buyer provides earnest money to be held in consideration of the purchase in order to demonstrate good-faith that the buyer fully intends on completing the sale.
Following the opening of an escrow account, the buyer then needs to take 5 necessary steps to protect their interest in the home. These 5 steps are as follows:
- Completing a Title search
- Purchasing Title Insurance
- Completing a Home inspection and Pest inspection
- Negotiating the Closing costs; and
- Locking the interest rate of the mortgage.
These steps are important in the completion of any Real Estate transaction, and many times it is important for the buyer to seek legal counsel prior to moving forward with the purchase process.
At Blick Law Firm we provide title insurance and escrow services to clients throughout the entire State of Florida. Call us today at 813-931-0840. Make an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Blick Law Firm seeks to help the hurting and those in need. Think quick, call Blick!
Short Sale | Real Estate Attorneys | The Short Sale Process
Trying to avoid foreclosure? A short sale may be your answer. Homeowners facing financial hardship have several options, but a short sale is a very common solution. What is a short sale? A short sale is an agreement between the seller and the lender to sell their property for an amount lower than the balance owed in order to relieve the seller of the mortgage obligation.
Unlike a foreclosure, a short sale may prevent and help you avoid a huge hit to your credit score that foreclosure may cause. Depending on the negotiated amount of the sale and the timeliness of past mortgage payments, a short sale may be a better alternative.
Did you know? Short sale participants can later purchase a home in a shorter time than those who foreclose on their property. In a short sale you can purchase after two years unlike in foreclosure it is after seven years.
A short sale can be completed by finding a buyer to purchase the home who is willing to pay current market value, and having the mortgage provider agree to the sale. Any shortage after the sale will then either be written off by the lender and an IRS 1099c is issued to the seller, or a deficiency remains which the lender may pursue to collect against the seller.
Changes were recently made to help streamline the short sale process including:
· An expedited short sale approach for borrowers most in need.
· Lenders will now have the power to quickly and easily qualify certain borrowers who are current on their mortgages for short sales.
· HAFA offers home owners and investors accessible solutions to the short sale of your home.
The short sale process can be complicated, and the lender may not be willing to negotiate. It is important to know that a real estate attorney can help negotiate the sale and terms with your mortgage lender and provide you peace of mind that your short sale is being handled by an accountable professional.
If you have legal questions regarding your short sale or you are considering your options, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.
5 Maneras que pueden perjudicar a su reclamo de Accidente automovilístico | Firma de abogados de Tampa
Los Accidentes de auto pueden ser devastadores, y las heridas en un accidente pueden comenzar una línea de tiempo de tratamiento y terapia que puede tomar meses en completarse.
Si usted está implicado en un accidente automovilístico, es muy importante saber qué medidas se pueda comprometer a protegerse y evitar daños a su caso de lesiones potenciales. Muchas personas no están consciente de que hay varias maneras que pueden dañar su reclamo automovilístico en la Florida . Aquí están algunos puntos importantes que le ayudarán a asegurar que su reclamo sea exitoso:
1. Revelar información a través de Los medios de Comunicación Social: generación de hoy es tecnológicamente inteligente, es un hecho que los abogados del lado contrario o las compañías de seguros utilizan para beneficio de ellos. Personas pueden actualizar su estado de, tweet, escribir cualquier información o consultar en lugares en tiempo presente, esto es susceptible al público para crear un imagen negativa. En un caso de accidente de auto,l a investigación por Internet puede ayudar a demostrar que no esta tan lesionado para su reclamo automovilístico.
Es importante entender que lo que publiques en tweet potencialmente puede ayudar a la compañía del seguro contrario y puede lastimar su caso. Sea cuidadoso al publicar fotos o comentarios que podrían desacreditar su reclamo automovilístico. Por ejemplo, piense dos veces antes de publicar algo sobre ir al gimnasio cuando usted anuncio en tener dolor intenso en la espalda de un reciente accidente.
2. Falta de información de testigos: cualquier tipo de accidente puede causar estrés y perjudicar el proceso normal del pensamiento. Es importante que esté tranquilo (a) para poder reunir la información adecuada que le ayudará a su caso más adelante. Una de las claves para ayudar a su reclamo automovilístico, si no eres culpable es bueno qué usted pueda identificar a sus testigos. Es importante corroborar su caso con testigos porque minimizará el debate de las compañías de seguros. Se Supone que la oficina investigadora recogerá este tipo de información. Si usted toma el asunto con sus propias manos es posible que le pidan la información del contacto de los testigos inmediatamente después del accidente.
3. Dar una declaración grabada a la compañía de seguro contrario: esto es un error muy común. Generalmente cuando hay un accidente automovilístico, las compañías de seguros son notificadas inmediatamente. Una vez que sea notificada a las compañías de seguros, se mueve rápidamente para obtener una declaración grabada sobre lo sucedido y obtener información sobre su lesión ocurrida. La mayoría de las personas siente que tienen que dar una declaración grabada a la compañía de seguros contraria y responder a sus preguntas .Esto es falso. No hay ningún requisito de que usted de una declaración grabada.
A menudo, la compañía de seguros está tratando de obtener ventaja de su estado mental y la falta de conocimiento sobre el tema . Por lo tanto, no de ninguna declaración grabada sin primero consultar con su abogado.
4. Tomar oposición de seguros de autos empresas : si no eres culpable, la compañía de seguros del conductor llevará una oposición de investigación durante su caso. Esto puede incluir vigilancia, fotos de los daños o videos de usted en algún momento durante el proceso.
La honestidad es la mejor política. Si usted trata de ciertas actividades que parecen cuestionables o admitirlo. Entendemos que durante el proceso de reclamación, será tratado por lesiones y mejorará su salud física. Sin embargo, cuando una víctima de accidente de auto niega algo que sea verdad y si el seguro investiga para ser verdad, perjudicará su reclamo automovilístico.
5. Si usted esperar demasiado tiempo para obtener tratamiento médico: en un accidente automovilístico la mayoría de la gente asume que el dolor o lesión desaparecerá con el tiempo. Desafortunadamente, eso no es siempre el caso y pueden empeorar progresivamente.
Las compañías de seguros controlan si hay pausas entre los tratamientos y también si usted no aún comienza el tratamiento, asumen que no esté tan herido (a) como dices. Atención médica inmediata es necesaria para evaluar su reclamo y si las lesiones son graves, informe al hospital de sus heridas. Una vez que usted visite un abogado de lesiones personales, solicite asistencia médica adecuada. Cualquier queja o síntomas que tenga deben estar bien documentados y registrados.
Demandas por lesiones personales todas varían, y muchas veces implican consecuencias de por vida que requieren gastos médicos en el futuro y años de dolor y sufrimiento. Si usted o un ser querido ha sido lesionado debido a las acciones o la negligencia de otro, Blick Law Firm al (813) 931-0840.