Tag Archives: blick law firm

Real Estate: Closing, and 5 Important Steps to Follow

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Blick Law

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. 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.

If you or a loved one are considering purchasing a home and need advice on what to expect, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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What is a soft tissue injury?

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Blick Law

Parties to an accident are often times contacted by insurance companies in an attempt to get personal injury victims to settle an injury claim quickly, and for a non-negotiated amount. Before a settlement offer is even discussed, it is extremely important to first know the extent of your injuries.

Usually, the severity of damage sustained in an accident is not easily determined, and in many cases an injured party may suffer soft tissue or latent injuries that do not arise until much later. However, once a settlement agreement is made and tendered, an injured party releases their right to recovery for injuries related to that particular incident.

If you are involved in an auto accident, it is always important to first seek medical attention. After an auto accident, it is best to go immediately to the hospital or other treatment facility to determine the extent of your injuries and pinpoint the necessary steps of rehabilitation that might be required.

Secondly, an injured party should always contact an attorney for legal consultation and general information on how to proceed following an accident. In the event an insurance company contacts you regarding your injury claim, do not offer any recorded statements without first consulting with an attorney.

If you or a loved one have been in an accident 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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Mayor Buckhorn Proclaims Monday ‘Ride to Work Day’

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Blick Law

Monday, June 18, is not just any ordinary Monday.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has proclaimed June 18 “Ride to Work Day.” Many local businesses, such as Blick Law Firm in Carrollwood, will be participating.

In recognition of the 21st Annual National “Ride to Work Day,” the law firm at 4351 Gunn Highway is hosting an open house on Monday, June 18 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., and will be offering refreshments, free driver’s license checks and opportunities to win door prizes to all licensed motorists.

“At Blick Law Firm’s open house, we are not only promoting this day with the City of Tampa, but we are educating safety to all those who come by,” said Becky Speer, marketing assistant at Blick Law Firm.

There are many benefits to riding to work on two wheels, such as:

  • Commuting to work by a bicycle, scooter or motorcycle provides an effective way of reducing the rising cost of gasoline while lessening the many harmful effects on the environment.
  •  It also cuts a fraction of the parking spaces needed by larger passenger vehicles, thereby reducing parking congestion in the active Tampa Bay community. As prices of fossil fuels continue to grow, the overall supply of these fuels is diminishing. With efforts such as “Ride to Work” Day we are taking a small step towards a bigger cause in support of the use of alternative means of transportation, in turn benefiting the Tampa Bay community in more ways than one.

For more information regarding National “Ride to Work” Day and Blick Law Firm’s open house, please contact Blick Law Firm at 813-931-0840 or e-mail Dana Blickensderfer at dana@blicklawfirm.com.

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Conducir con una licencia suspendida

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Blick Law

Conductores de la Florida todos los días ponerse al volante sin saber que su privilegio de manejar ha sido suspendido, cancelado o revocado. Oficiales de policía hacen detenciones diarias por conducir con una licencia suspendida que puede llevar a complicaciones al intentar restablecer su privilegio de manejar.

Conducir sin conocimiento de la suspensión generalmente conduce a la emisión de una citación no penales. Sin embargo, es importante saber que el pago de la citación no- penal opera como un reconocimiento de culpabilidad y puntos puede imponerse contra su licencia porque se considera una violación de tránsito.

En Florida, es una ofensa criminal tráfico si un conductor opera un vehículo motorizado con conocimiento de que su licencia es cancelado, suspendido o revocado. Los siguientes cargos pueden resultar de conducir con una licencia suspendida con conocimiento de la suspensión:

(1) Primera condena es un segundo delito menor grado;

(2) Segunda condena es un primer delito menor grado;

(3) Convicción tercera o posterior, es un delito grave de tercer grado y posible cárcel deba ser servido.

Es importante saber que múltiples infracciones de conducir con una licencia suspendida pueden llevar a consecuencias muy graves, y conductores con repetidas violaciones pueden ser catalogados como un Delincuente Habitual de tráfico.

La pena de conducir con su licencia suspendida, si tiene conocimiento o no, puede ser grave y generalmente llevar a complicaciones con su privilegio de manejar futura.

Si usted o un ser querido ha sido arrestado o emitió una citación por conducir con una licencia suspendida, llame aBlick Law Firm hoy al (813) 931-0840. Programar una consulta gratuita de 15 minutos con el abogado Michael Blickensderfer.

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St Patrick’s Day Safety 2013

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Blick Law

With St. Patty’s Day approaching, many people are planning their festivities for the weekend and the excitement to celebrate with friends and family is beginning. However, every St. Patty’s Day people tend to get carried away in their celebrations and face the risk of being arrested for a variety of alcohol related offenses. Due to an increased tendency to behave irresponsibly during this festive time, arrests for DUI especially tend to increase. It is important to remember to always be responsible during and after St. Patty’s Day celebrations, and also to be aware of the potential consequences that can arise in the event that you are arrested and charged with DUI.

Florida drivers arrested and charged with DUI face obvious and hidden consequences that can have a wide reaching personal impact. When a person is charged with a DUI, the consequences may include:

  • 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.

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, including alcohol, illicit drugs, and even 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.

If you are charged with DUI, it is important to seek legal counsel immediately! 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.

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Tampa Short Sales

Posted on March 12, 2013 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.

From an economic perspective, Short sales are simply a more beneficial option than Foreclosure. Lenders have less to lose, homeowners incur less damage to their credit, and the surrounding community is less likely to be affected by the decline in value that follows abandoned properties forced into foreclosure at greatly diminished costs.

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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