Tag Archives: abogados en tampa

Holiday Safety Tips

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Blick Law

It is important to remember that injuries can occur anywhere; and during the holidays many people fail to take adequate safety measures to prevent injury. With the Christmas holiday approaching and a growing influx of travelers, a steady trend of increased traffic on Tampa roads continues to create safety concerns. In an effort to encourage safety, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges that people help ensure their own safety while traveling. Remember to always keep in mind the following:

  • Don’t drink and drive; and don’t allow other to drink and drive.
  • Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.
  • Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to his/her height, weight, and age.

Furthermore, note that most residential fires occur during the winter months, so keep candles away from children, pets, walkways, trees, and curtains. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended; and don’t use generators, grills, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage.

If you or a loved are injured over the holidays and need legal advice, call Blick Law Firm today @ (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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Short Sale: an alternative to foreclosure

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Blick Law

Over the holidays Federal Mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac agreed to hold off on foreclosure evictions of families until after the New Year. The response to this moratorium on foreclosure evictions has been mixed as protestor’s have gathered to denounce the mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae’s fruitless efforts to delay the inevitable.

Homeowners are often unsure of what options are available when they reach financial hardship and are faced with foreclosure. A short sale can be a helpful tool when trying to alleviate the burden of a looming foreclosure.

A short sale is an agreement by a mortgage lender to sell property for an amount lower than the balance owed in order to relieve the buyer of the mortgage obligation.  Depending on the negotiated amount of the sale and the timeliness of past mortgage payments, a short sale may help avoid the huge hit to your credit score that foreclosure causes. Additionally, short sale participants can later purchase a home in a shorter time than those who foreclose on their property.

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 1099 is issued to the seller, or a deficiency remains which the lender may pursue to collect against the seller.

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 the mortgage lender and provide you peace of mind that your 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.

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Foreclosure Problem Continues to Grow

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Blick Law

Florida now leads the nation in home foreclosure rate for the third month in a row in December. Florida’s rate is more than double the national rate, and this report confirms that Florida continues to struggle to recover from the recent housing crisis. Though indicators suggest that the housing market is improving, foreclosure still appears to be a significant problem in Florida and is continuing to increase in number.

Foreclosure is the process by which a lender attempts to recover the unpaid balance of a loan after the borrower discontinues payments. Foreclosure allows the lender to force a sale of the home in order to satisfy the remaining balance of the loan.

In Florida, if you have received a foreclosure summons complaint, you have 20 days to answer in order to avoid a default judgment being issued against you. Once your home is threatened by foreclosure, it is important to seek legal advice and explore what options may be available.

Some valid defenses to foreclosure may include:

  • Ownership.  Mortgages are sold every day.  The bank suing must prove that the original mortgage was properly sold, transferred or assigned and that they are the rightful owner of the original note.
  • Lack of Written Notice.  Proper written notice of a default and a 30-day opportunity to cure before filing a foreclosure lawsuit must be received by the homeowner.
  • Incorrect amount owed.  Banks routinely miscalculate the amounts owed on a note and mortgage.

If you are facing foreclosure, it is important to consult a real estate attorney who can offer you peace of mind that your potential foreclosure is being defended by an accountable professional.

Foreclosure continues to be a growing problem in Florida, and if it happens to you, the worst thing to do is ignore it. Call Blick Law Firm today @ 813-931-0840. Schedule an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with Attorney Michael Blickensderfer to see what your legal rights are in defending a foreclosure action.

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Short Sale Process

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Blick Law

Homeowners are often unsure of what options are available when they reach financial hardship. A short sale is an agreement by a mortgage lender to sell property for an amount lower than the balance owed in order to relieve the buyer of the mortgage obligation.

A short sale can be a helpful tool when trying to avoid foreclosure. Depending on the negotiated amount of the sale and the timeliness of past mortgage payments, a short sale may help avoid the huge hit to your credit score that foreclosure causes. Additionally, short sale participants can later purchase a home in a shorter time than those who foreclose on their property.

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 1099 is issued to the seller, or a deficiency remains which the lender may pursue to collect against the seller.

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 the mortgage lender and provide you peace of mind that your 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.

 

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Bankruptcy: Advantages and Alternatives

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Blick Law

With the Holidays quickly approaching, many people are becoming mindful of the expenses related to purchasing gifts for loved ones. It is important to remember, especially for those in financial hardship, to spend responsibly over the holidays; and those who are considering filing Bankruptcy it is even more important to be aware that debt accrued over the holidays may not be discharged through Bankruptcy.

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.

Bankruptcy advantages and alternatives to consider:

Elimination of Debt: The main advantage to filing for bankruptcy is the discharge of most debt. The discharge totally eliminates the obligation to pay many types of debt including your credit card debt, old medical bills, utilities bills, unsecured loans, pay day loans, and most other types of unsecured debt. ***Note: 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.

Get a Fresh Start: You will be able to pay the things that are important to you, and begin rebuilding your credit in peace!

Alternatives to Consider: Bankruptcy is not the only method of dealing with insurmountable debt, and other methods may be more advantageous for your particular situation. Such alternatives may include an out-of-court settlement with creditors, reduction of payments to creditors, consolidation of debts, or payment of debts by sale of assets or borrowing on assets. However, the availability of these methods varies depending on the severity of your financial difficulties, and also requires cooperation from creditors.

If you are having trouble meeting your debt obligations, consult an experienced Tampa Bankruptcy attorney to discuss your options.

Call Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840. Make an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with Michael Blickensderfer to see if Bankruptcy is right for you.

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Blick Law Firm Participates in Book Donation to Children in Need

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Blick Law

Blick Law Firm is hosting a Santa meet and greet to benefit needy children

TAMPA, FL. Dec.  21, 2012— Santa Claus is coming to town!  On December 21, 2012 Blick Law Firm will partner with Gracepoint, The Source for Wellness a nonprofit organization for the 500 Books N Bags program which  provides books to underprivileged children who are in need.

Blick Law Firm is helping Gracepoint collect books from the local community; and as an added incentive, those who show their support will receive free photos with Santa Claus!

Anyone who brings an approved book into Blick Law Firm between noon and 4 p.m. will get his or her picture taken with Santa and receive a light lunch. Please note that all books brought in must be chosen from the approved reading list indicated below. The following books are approved:

Wild Things by Clay Carmichael                                            Across the Universe by Beth Revis

90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-galbis                         Hide and Seek by Katy Grant

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson                        Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Trouble with Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante             Flip by Martyn Bedford

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods                   The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson                           Matched by Ally Condie

Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby                           I will Save You by Matt de la Pena

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King                                              Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson                   Blank Confession by Pete Hautman

The Queen of Water (Mature Reader) by Laura Resau                    Stupid Fast by Geoff Herback

Happenstance Found by P.W. Catanese                                 Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison                                Recovery Road by Nelson Blake

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

The Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park

Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald

Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan

To ensure that certain books aren’t purchased substantially more than others, Gracepoint has created an online wish list at www.tinyurl.com/gracepointbooksnbags.

Blick Law Firm will also provide a way for those unable to purchase a reading book beforehand to do so at the event, by computer.

“We are a Christian firm so we really think it’s important to give back to those less fortunate than us, especially around the holidays,” said Michael Blickensderfer, owner of Blick Law Firm.

Blickensderfer donates year round, as he contributes 10 percent of his profits to charities and missions in need.  In the past year Michael has donated either his time or money to the Children’s Cancer Center, Feeding Children Everywhere, and alike. In addition to being a helper to the community, Blickensderfer has 25 year’s legal experience and extensive trial and courtroom knowledge. Blickensderfer is a former Marine, former prosecutor and is licensed in Florida, New York and New Jersey.

The event will be at 4351 Gunn Highway in Tampa and it will be from noon to 4 p.m.  For any questions about the event follow Blick Law Firm on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/blicklawfirm or call Blick Law Firm (813) 931-0840.

About Blick Law Firm
Blick law Firm is a local Tampa Bay legal firm specializing in personal injury, criminal and real estate law all across the state of Florida. The owner, Michael C. Blickensderfer, has over 25 years’ legal experience in Florida, New York and New Jersey. Blick Law Firms practice areas include criminal law, DUI/ Traffic, real estate transactions, loan modifications, short sales, foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, title insurance and real estate litigation. We also serve clients in personal injury, including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls premises liability, dog bites, marine and aviation accidents and wrongful death. For further information regarding our legal services please visit our website at www.blicklawfirm.com.

* The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. Copyright © 2010 by Blick Law Firm. All rights reserved. Disclaimer

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