Disclaimer: Blick Blog discusses topics regarding general legal information for the purposes of educating readers only and should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Submitting a legal question or receipt of information on this forum does not create an attorney client relationship with attorney Michael C. Blickensderfer or Blick Law Firm. Attorney Michael C. Blickensderfer cannot guarantee a specific result in any legal matter. Also, this website and blog is not intended to solicit clients outside the State of Florida.

Assistance for Legal Aid

LEGAL AID SERVICES, .ATTORNEY FEES, LEGAL AID OFFICE, LEGAL FEES, AFFORDABLE LEGAL AIDWritten By: Louie Talacay

It is a common notion that lawyers are unaffordable; Despite the fact that many lawyers offer special financing for certain customers or commission based payment for winning their cases, many people still believe that hiring a lawyer is just too expensive. As a result, many people have decided to fight their cases, on their own, leaving them to navigate the minutiae of legal terms, motions and laws by themselves. In fact, according to an article featured on the Tampa Bay Times, 90% of low income Floridians have decided to fight their own cases; These cases involve divorce, familial law, foreclosure and other civil cases.

The idea of fighting your own case in court is daunting. A person who has no idea of how the justice system works will find complications and hardships at every corner of their case, even if it is full proof. Remember, a lawyer isn’t just your representation in court, but they also serve as your coach guiding you through the myriad of forms, motions, counters and claims.

To aid in the provision of legal services to people who cannot afford it, the chief supreme justice of Florida, Jorge Labarga has commissioned 27 members to look for a solution for affordable legal aid. Of particular interest is the demographic of people’s whose income is too high to receive pro bono and special financing but not enough to pay, upfront, the large legal fees that attorney’s charge for their services.LEGAL AID SERVICES, .ATTORNEY FEES, LEGAL AID OFFICE, LEGAL FEES, AFFORDABLE LEGAL AID.1

Don’t go rush out to your local attorney just yet! Jorge has set a time table of 2 years to create a program solution to aid people, within a certain income demographic, with getting the legal assistance they need to fight their case.

If you are desperate for legal assistance now, however, The Blick Law Firm is here to help the Greater Tampa Bay community. Our motto is “helping the hurting”. We understand that every case is different and that a hardship can cause incredible strain on people who are already struggling to meet ends. As a result, we treat each client differently and create a personalized, tailored service that will fit their needs. We offer special financing to certain clients that need the extra assistance as well as offering pro bono services for clients who we feel are truly in need of help. Schedule a consultation with one of our attorney’s to see what kinds of services we can provide you! To schedule a consultation CALL US AT 888-973-2776!call

If you want to learn more about the program that is being commissioned by the Jorge Labarga please reference the following article featured on the Tampa Bay times at…

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/new-group-charged-with-finding-legal-help-for-low-income-floridians/2213991

Posted in Blog, Criminal Law, DUI, Foreclosure Defense, Immigration, Personal Injury, Real Estate | Leave a comment

Short Sale Tips

Short Sale SignWritten By: Louie Talacay

Short sales is one giant beast that needs to be tackled by a unified and cohesive team. Everyone needs to do their part to ensure every document is filled, collected and turned in on time, regardless of the unreasonable timeframes that may be given by the lender.

Because the nature of a short sale transaction, is rocky, at the very least, it is important that everyone has strategies for each part of the transaction. A short sale will require the seller, buyer, realtors, negotiators, closing agent and attorneys to be on their feet, ready to tackle any problem that may arise.

What is a short sale you might be wondering? For these reason the short sale negotiation team, at Blick Law Firm, has these tips for a successful short sale transaction.

Tips For a Successful Short Sale Closing…

1. Price the home to sell: This should be the fastest part of the transaction. Have your realtor set the price to a reasonable value concurrent with market prices. Remember in a short sale, the price determines how much negotiating is required. You want to price it so that it is attractive to a large buyers pool but still enough that it will appraise to a value acceptable by the seller’s lender.

2. Gather your client’s information: This maybe one of the most challenging parts and you may need to get updated information periodically. There are, however, some necessary documents that you should have before you even get a contract that will assist in expediting your short sale. Ask us for a copy of our short sale package with the documents that are pertinent to executing a short sale.

3. Negotiate your price effectively: This is do or die and everyone needs to be on their feet. Although it is the job of the negotiator to come up with an acceptable price point there are things that the realtor can provide to assist in pricing. Condition of the house, marketability, location and hardship are all things that can help the price positioning process. If you priced it well, there shouldn’t be much variance in what the bank is asking and what the buyer is willing to offer.

4. Coordinate your closing quickly: Time is of the essence! If you are lucky enough to receive an approval from the bank, you must do everything in your power to coordinate a successful closing before the approval expires. Remember, sometimes you only have a few days until the approval expires, so everything must be on point.

If you need help with your short sale transaction, schedule a consultation with one of our short sale experts at Blick Law Firm. We know how to work short sale and have had numerous success stories in helping our clients sell their home. To schedule a consultation today CALL US AT call

Posted in Blog, Foreclosure Defense, Real Estate | Leave a comment

Life after Bankruptcy

DSCN0271Written By: Louie Talacay

You’ve hit rock bottom. You probably have very little to your name and the road to financial recovery is looking uphill. Life after bankruptcy is one full of challenges and turmoil, but it is your decision to sink or swim. The following details some things that one can expect after filing for bankruptcy.

Dependent on the type of bankruptcy you filed, your options may differ. A Chapter 13 means that the court will oversee your financial recovery. They will take a portion of your paycheck to pay off some of your debt. A Chapter 7 means that you will be absolved of most of your debts and that the court will not garnish your wages to pay off your debt.

Although a Chapter 7 allows you to walk away mostly free and clear, the repercussion can be seen on your credit. People who file Chapter 13 are much more likely to recover financially and build their credit back up in less time than those who file a Chapter 7. Of course, the bankruptcy will still be reflected on their record.

So what happens then? What should you do after you’ve filed bankruptcy? First, understand that you will no longer have access to any lines of credit. No credit cards, no loans, nothing; this means strictly dealing in cold hard cash. Save up for those rainy days because you won’t be able to use credit to pay forward unexpected fees and accidents.

This may mean having to live a simpler lifestyle, but hopefully you’ve come to terms with meagerness. Many people who find themselves in financial chaos arrived there because they lived a life that was too extravagant for what they were making.

Are you struggling to overcome your debt? Have you built it up to the point where it is not feasible to pay it off? Blick Law Firm specializes in Bankruptcy cases. We can assist you and counsel you with your bankruptcy. Furthermore, we offer alternatives to bankruptcy and refer clients who aren’t terribly off to credit rehab programs.

To find out more about our bankruptcy services and how we can assist you or anyone else, please visit our website.

Posted in Bankruptcy, Blog, Criminal Law | Leave a comment

Auto Accident| Personal Injury Blog

Written By: Louie Talacay

Its 2 am and you get a call from a friend needing a ride. You struggle to get out of bed and drive zombie-like to the Czar in Ybor. Your friend had a merry night and is overly affectionate despite the fact that you are obviously irritated and annoyed by the late-night, last-minute favor. You drive him home sluggishly as he rants about his night and you maintain a dead silence.

All of sudden you are blinded by headlights. A sudden alertness overcomes you and you sense something is very wrong.

You think to yourself, “I’m on the interstate, is that a car in my lane headed towards…?”
Before the thought even finishes, the collision occurs and you become a statistic, another road casualty, the result of another wrong way driver.

You awake to blaring lights…

“Am I re-imagining the accident?” you ponder.

UM, UNINSURED-MOTORIST-COVERAGE, AUTO-ACCIDENT,  MEDICAL-BILLS, WHAT-IS-UNINSURED-MOTORIST-COVERAGE, BLICK-LAW-FIRM.1No, of course not; as your eyes adjust you realize that you are in the hospital. Your body is aching and very sore. To make things worse, the doctor comes by to say that your friend has luckily survived but is in critical condition. He introduces you to a police officer who is there to take a statement. The officer tells you that you were in an accident with a DUI offender, who has managed to walk away unscathed by the accident besides complete annihilation of his vehicle.

Unfortunately, circumstances such as these can happen to anyone. There are only so many things we can do to protect ourselves as drivers and not every accident is preventable. In Tampa, alone, the incidence of wrong way collisions has been numerous especially on the I275 stretch from Bears to Hillsborough.

If you are a victim of a DUI accident, please know that you have recourse. Blick Law Firm specialized in auto accidents and personal injury. We can help build your case and get just compensation for the suffering that may be experienced as a result of an auto accident. To seek a consultation with one of our attorneys please CALL US AT call

Posted in Blog, DUI, Personal Injury | Leave a comment

The Fight for Immigration| Homeland Security Affair or Power Struggle?

simple_img_6Written By: Louie Talacay

The great statue of liberty is a symbol of freedom, equality, opportunity and prosperity. She watches over the United States, a fictitious torch in her right arm illuminating the great land of opportunity. Imagine how many immigrants have stood in awe underneath the great behemoth and felt inspired to do something greater. Countless people have felt this inspiration and pursued the American dream. So, why is it now that we choose to close our doors to these immigrants, who at one time, shaped the America we are today. Has the prosperity dried up? Are there no more opportunities left?

The fight for immigration reform has been waged in the political battlefield of Washington D.C. Soldier’s wear suits and use pens and words for ammunition against their opponents. The battle is heated and the stakes are high. On one side of the battle field, you have democrats and on the other side republicans.

Comically enough, the battle has little to do with the issue. Many people, in both parties, believe that immigration reform is a necessary. Republican leaders, however, are dissatisfied with the President’s use of his executive powers to expedite the process of immigration reform. They strongly believe that he is pushing his powers and superseding congress. Time and time again, we see this bipartisan issue interfering with true progress.

The Blick Law Firm is here to assist immigrants. We understand that there are families out there, who work hard and have been living in the United States for a long time. We want to help these families find the path to citizenship so that they can be legitimized.

We believe that citizens are people who understand the American dream and act accordingly.

America is the land of opportunity. We built our foundation on immigration; that is why we are known as a melting pot of cultures. Immigration is what makes us unique. Instead of closing our doors to it, we should reconnect with our past.

If you are an immigrant or know of any immigrants seekicallng the road top legitimacy, please direct them to us. We work with immigrants closely to fulfill their best interests.

To seek consultation with one our attorney’s please CALL US AT

To read more about the immigration battle in congress refer to the following resource…

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/15/us/politics/house-votes-to-revoke-legal-protections-for-millions-of-immigrants.html?_r=0

Posted in Blog, Media Releases, Minute with Mike, Personal Injury | Leave a comment

Child Safety| Personal Injury Blog

Blick-Law-Firm.1Written By: Louie Talacay

Tampa, FL- Today, a father was arrested charged with murder for the death of his 5-year-old daughter. We remorse for the child and her family and pray that she will find her way safely to God.

To read more about the incident please visit the link below…

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/01/08/5-year-old-dies-after-being-thrown-from-bridge-florida-police-say/

Children are one of our most precious gifts in life. Their value is priceless and their potential is limitless. Because of how our society has evolved, we sometimes have to put trust into the system that we are a part of and let our children navigate the world without our constant supervision.

Unfortunately, this can mean trusting your child’s safety in the wrong hands or even wrong situation. Often times, parents, whose children have been hurt, blame themselves even if it was no fault of their own. No daycare, sports facility, team, volunteering site, school and even churches can guarantee the safety of your child.

Although we cannot be there for our children 100% of the time, we can provide extra precautions to help them stay safe. Blick recommends the following steps to help keep your children safe and out of harms way.

1. Do your research- Do you know where your child is going. Do you know how credible the facility is that you are leaving them at?

2. Educate you children- Sometimes a simple talk about safety with your kids can do a world of good

3. Know who their friends are- Do you know everyone your child hangs around? Active parenting is hard but it’s also very rewarding

4. Give them a phone- In today’s world, cell phones are as necessary for children as they are adults; Perhaps it’s time to upgrade that plan.

Even if you do everything possible to keep your child safe, accidents are still likely. If your child gets hurt, there maybe repercussions to help you and your family get them back on their feet. Of course, children are minors so the laws are a bit different. To understand these differences we recommend you consult an attorney.

Blick Law Firm are personal injury specialists. They can counsel you in your time of need and educate you on the process of filing a personal injury suit for a minor. To schedule your consultation call us 888-973-2776! call

Posted in Blog, Criminal Law, Personal Injury | Leave a comment