Author Archives: Blick Law Firm

Blick Law Firm is in the remaining round for Carrollwood Patch’s Best Customer Service contest

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

TAMPA-Blick Law Firm is in the fourth round for the best customer service contest with Carrollwood Patch.

Patch is a local online directory that shares news in your local community. Patch is currently running a best customer service contest for the local Carrollwood businesses and Blick Law Fim has made it to round 4.

Eight businesses remain in this contest for best customer service in Carrollwood. This elite group has made it through three rounds and will continue on until one business remains.

The business with the most votes will make it through to the next round. The vote continues, and your vote could help Blick Law Firm continue on to the next round.

To vote please visit: www.carrollwood.patch.com

For more information please contact Blick Law Firm public relations specialist, Dana Blickensderfer at 813-931-0840 or dana@blicklawfirm.com

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Daytona Bike Week Recap 2012

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

Congratulations to 3 runner ups from Florida of the Official Bike Week Motorcycle:

Donnie Helms placed 3rd, Margaret Smith 5th & Melissa Penland placed 10th

The first weekend was sprinkled with showers, keeping Main Street quieter than usual.   However, shops and bars were still big business as bikers sought shelter from the rain.  The Bike Week parade reappeared after a 6 year hiatus.   This year, bikes led by the Daytona Beach Police Department Motorcycle Unit, strung nearly 5.25 miles.

It seemed that Spring Break coinciding with Bike Week may have been a factor in the attendance being slightly higher.  While most businesses did well, some did not quite earn their yearly income on which they thrive.

Seven motorcyclists lost their lives at Bike Week this year.   While many would argue the helmet law as being at fault, it bears no weight at all.  Some were wearing helmets, some were not.  Attorney Michael Blickensderfer wishes to express his sincerest sympathy to these families as they pick up the pieces, cope and move on with their lives.  He encourages those of us who still have the privilege of riding to be aware of others on the road that may not be paying attention.  For those who drive automobiles, drive cautiously.  Your second of unintentional carelessness could cost a life and change a family forever.

Legal counsel is not something we think about every day.   Crisis comes without any warning. Blick Law Firm is here to help, whether it is personal injury, traffic ticket, facing foreclosure or bankruptcy.  Attorney Michael Blickensderfer is a trustworthy attorney who will advocate for your rights.

Call us today, if we can be of assistance to you in your time of need. Blick Law Firm, helping the hurting. 813-931-0840.

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Why hire a real estate lawyer?

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

In the past, it has been thought that a real estate agent is the only other team member you need while selling or purchasing your property.  A third member, just as necessary as the agent, is a real estate lawyer.

While the real estate agent can assist you with the logistics of selling/buying, along with negotiating a price and closing date that is right for you, Attorney Michael Blickensderfer can review any offer you make or receive and make sure that your rights are protected and your duties clearly defined.

You may benefit from hiring a real estate attorney to assist you with the process.

If you’re buying a home, Blick Law Firm can:

  • Help you understand the purchase contract, including how you will take title on the property.
  • Check that there are no covenants, easements, liens, etc. registered against the property that will impede your use of it.
  • Prepare and register all the legal documents.
  • Clarify the terms of the mortgage and work with your bank, if necessary, to modify them.
  • Scrutinize the adjustments, including taxes owing and utilities costs paid, prior to the transaction closing.
  • Oversee the closing and review all the papers you will be required to sign.
  • Arrange title insurance protection to protect you from losses due to title defects.
  • Ensure you receive a valid registered ownership subject only to the liabilities you have accepted.

If you’re selling a home, Blick Law Firm is able to:

  • Review the binder and review or prepare the purchase and sale agreement, including negotiating its terms.
  • Prepare the deed and power of attorney if necessary.
  • Deal with title issues as they arise and help correct them.
  • Oversee the closing and review all the papers you will be required to sign.
  • Arrange for transfer of security deposits.
  • Arrange for insurance certificates if needed.

Hire a Tampa real estate attorney who understands not only the standards, but the law, that must be met.

Although many legal forms used in real estate are similar, binder or purchase and sale agreement forms vary from state to state. Get the help you need today.

Further, some title insurance companies and mortgage lenders require you to use a lawyer to ensure that, among other things, the title is good, there are no liens against the property and that the deal will close as expected.

If you’re ready to make or accept an offer on a property, call Blick Law Firm today and ask to speak to our real estate team.  *You can still sign the offer with the contingency that you want Michael to review first.

Other services: short sale negotiation, foreclosure defense, probate and wills, bankruptcy.

Think quick, call Blick! 813-931-0840

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Florida Bankruptcy Alternatives

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

Attorney, Michael Blickensderfer, practices bankruptcy law. As a consumer who is in financial hardship, it is important to know the alternatives to filing bankruptcy… and we can help!

Florida Bankruptcy Alternatives:

Receiving late notices and phone calls from creditors? DON’T IGNORE THEM!

Talk with your creditors and attempt to work out a payment plan.  Explain your situation and the reason for the hardship.  Often the creditor is willing to co-operate.

  1. Possible options?  Debt consolidation loan  will allow you to pay off all your creditors and then you will just be left with the debt consolidation loan payment. 
  2. Another option is a Florida credit counseling plan where your creditors may be willing to lower your interest rates and accept a reduced payment if you enter a “Debt Repayment Plan.”  Your money is generally deposited to a service.
  3. A third option to Florida personal bankruptcy is a Florida credit counseling plan. Your creditors may be willing to lower your interest rates and accept reduced payments if you enter a debt repayment plan.

Generally, in these plans, you deposit money each month with the credit counseling service. Your deposits are used to pay your creditors according to a payment schedule developed by the counselor. As part of the repayment plan, you may have to agree not to apply for, or use, any additional credit while you’re participating in the program.

Contact Blick Law Firm today for more information regarding these programs, bankruptcy laws and changes in Florida. We are here to help you in your time of need, you are not alone! 813-931-0840.

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Avoid points on your driver’s license

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

In the State of Florida, driving is considered a privilege that must be earned and can be lost for a number of infractions, such as failure to pay child support, addiction to drugs or alcohol, failure to pay some traffic fines, racing on the highway, and incurring too many violation points on your license within a certain period of time.  Points remain on your license for three years. 

6 Points
Leaving the scene of an accident with damage of at least $50
Speed violations resulting in an accident

4 Points
Reckless Driving
Moving violations that cause an accident
Attempting to pass a stopped school bus
Exceeding the posted speed limit by 16 mph or more
Ignoring traffic control signals or devices

3 Points
Minors driving during restricted hours *
Exceeding the posted speed limit by 15 mph or less
All other moving violations not mentioned above
Driving with an open container
Violating child restraint regulations

*Florida law states that minors younger than 17 are not allowed to drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless they’re accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older, or unless the minor is going to or from work. Seventeen-year-old drivers are subject to the same driving restrictions from the hours of 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Your license may be suspended 30 days if you incur 12 points in a 12-month period; 90 days if you incur 18 points in an 18-month period; and 12 months if you incur 24 points in a 36-month period.  Minors accruing 6 points in a 12-month period will be limited to driving for business purposes only for one year.

If you are close to exceeding the limit, call Blick Law Firm today.  Michael Blickensderfer has experience in traffic court and can offer you legal counsel.  Should you hold a CDL, you will be required to appear in court and attorney, Michael C. Blickensderfer can represent you on your behalf. 813-931-0840.

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Blick Law Firm educates on Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

The (HAFA) Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program was developed to give homeowners a way to settle their mortgage debt without going through a foreclosure.

Because foreclosures have dominated our economic housing market, Tampa short sales are designed to help homeowners sell their home for the current value.  Although the mortgage debt owed may be  more than the value, in most cases the debt is satisfied by the mortgage company.  This federal government program streamlines the short sale approval process and offers financial assistance to help you with relocation.

Homeowners may be eligible for the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program if:

  1. The property is their current principal residence, OR the property has been vacant or rented out for less than 12 months, and you have not bought another principal residence during that time.
  2. The amount you owe on your first mortgage for your property is equal to or less than:
  • $729,750 for 1 unit
  • $934,200 for 2 units
  • $1,129,250 for 3 units
  • $1,403,400 for 4 units
  1. You owe more on your home than it’s worth.
  2. Your current mortgage was taken out on or before January 1, 2009.
  3. You are experiencing a hardship (such as a job loss, divorce or medical emergency) and are unable to afford your current home loan.

Call your Tampa real estate attorney today to see if you qualify for a short sale.

With our excellent service and staffing, we will communicate with your mortgage company, eliminating harassing phone calls from their collections department. With Blick Law Firm you can select your realtor, or we have several with whom we have long established relationships with that will assist you through the process of listing and showing your home. Our short sale negotiators are highly experienced and will do their best to make this an easy journey as you go through this difficult season in your life.

Did you know? Typically, 120 calendar days are given to acquire an offer.

Call us today for your free short sale consultation! 813-931-0840

 

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