Tag Archives: carrollwood attorney

How long will a bankruptcy remain on my credit report?

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Blick Law

According to The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 6 U.S.C. Section 605, law states that credit reporting agencies may not report a bankruptcy case on a person’s credit report after ten years from the date the bankruptcy case is filed.  The larger credit reporting agencies belong to an organization called the Associated Credit Bureaus. The policy of the Associated Credit Bureau tries to remove Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 cases from the credit report after seven years to encourage debtors to file under these chapters. The bankruptcy court has no influence over these reporting policies.

Bankruptcy filers who would like to rebuild their credit are justifiably concerned about how long a bankruptcy can appear on their credit report. It is still possible to build a positive credit report even with a bankruptcy on your record, so long as you act responsibly. If you’ve ever received credit card offers before, you are likely to receive them again after your bankruptcy.  If your goal is to build good credit, it’s worth your while to consider the post-bankruptcy card offers that you receive with an eye toward building a record of consistently and fully repaying an open line of credit each month.

The Federal Trade Commission has a website that allows consumers a free credit report from the three major credit reporting companies:  https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp.  Attorney, Michael Blickensderfer encourages all consumers to check their reports on a regular basis to ensure they do not contain any false information.  Should you find anything questionable, report it to the credit agency immediately.  If they are not willing to help you resolve this issue, call a Tampa bankruptcy attorney today at 813-931-0840.

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Driving with a suspended license in Florida

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Blick Law

Effective July 2008, Florida Statutes 322.24 went into effect concerning whether certain offenses for driving while license is cancelled, suspended or revoked are misdemeanors or felonies.

If a driver whose license or driving privilege is cancelled, suspended or revoked and has knowledge of his or her cancellation, they understand they are committing a criminal traffic offense. The following charges are possible:  (1) First conviction is a second degree misdemeanor; (2) Second conviction is a first degree misdemeanor; (3) Third, or subsequent conviction, is a third degree felony and possible jail time may have to be served.

If a driver whose license or driving privilege is cancelled, suspended or revoked and has no knowledge of his or her cancellation, they understand they are committing a non-criminal traffic infraction, unless he or she is a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO).

*If a driver whose license or driving privileges is revoked as a Habitual Traffic Offender , they are guilty of a third degree felony.

The penalty of driving with your license suspended, whether you have knowledge or not, holds serious consequence(s).

Hiring a Criminal Defense attorney may be beneficial for you. An attorney helps you check your record and assists you in sorting out your license issue(s) to get you back on the road as soon as possible. Contact Blick Law Firm today if you find you have been charged due to driving with a cancelled, suspended or revoked license in Florida.

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Blick Law Firm discusses driving on suspended license

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Blick Law

Thank you for watching Minute with Mike, free legal advice answered by attorney Michael C. Blickensderfer every Wednesday at Noon.

Today’s topic: Driving with a suspended license. Driving with a suspended license has severe consequences such as traffic ticket, 1st and/or 2nd degree Misdemeanor, Felony and possible jail time. Reasons that you can get your license suspended: child support delinquency; Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO); Violation resulting in death or personal injury; failure to comply with traffic summons or pay fines; giving false information on a license application; getting too many points; refusing to comply with state laws; refusing a blood alcohol test; lacking Florida Insurance; ignoring your traffic tickets and getting a DUI.

There are many other reasons that you may have your license revoked or suspended. Hiring a Criminal Defense attorney may be beneficial for you. An attorney helps you check your record and assists you in sorting out your license issue(s) to get you back on the road as soon as possible.

Blick law Firm is a local Tampa Bay legal firm specializing in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy, personal injury, criminal and real estate law all across the state of Florida.

The owner, Michael C. Blickensderfer has 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. Former prosecutor, former Marine. Think quick, call Blick! 813-931-0840.

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DUI penalties in Florida

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Blick Law

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) has severe consequences which not only affect your immediate lifestyle, but affect you financially as well. There are certain factors involved in DUI cases that can determine how severe your sentence(s) may be, thus resulting in financial hardship.

A determining factor to the severity of a drinking and driving case may result from past record(s). If you are a first time offender your sentence(s) are typically made up of:

1) Serving 50 + hours of community service
2) Court fees
3) DUI School
4) Attending Victim Impact Pane
5) Possible ignition interlock

Charges for a first time offense start at $500 and can be as high as $1,000 in court fines; depending upon the severity of your blood alcohol level at the time of arrest. All cases may be faced with jail time. Repeat offenders are more likely to incur higher court fines and/or community service hours.

According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Fine Schedule s. 316.193(2)(a)-(b), F.S.

  • First Conviction: Not less than $500, or more than $1,000. With Blood/Breath Alcohol Level (BAL) of .15 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $1,000, or more than $2,000.
  • Second Conviction: Not less than $1,000, or more than $2,000. With BAL of .15 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $2,000, or more than $4,000.
  • Third Conviction: More than 10 years from second: Not less than $2,000, or more than $5,000. With BAL of .15 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $4,000.
  • Fourth or Subsequent Conviction: Not less than $2,000.

Blood alcohol level also plays a part to the results of one’s case. Under Florida law, DUI is one offense, proved by impairment of normal faculties or unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above. In many cases the more severe the blow, the higher the punishment of one’s case.

These are just a few factors that determine the sentence of one’s drinking and driving offense. Hiring a Tampa DUI attorney may be beneficial to the outcome of one’s case. An experienced attorney attempts to avoid jail time at all costs and keep punishments to a minimum, allowing the defendant to cope and move on with their life.

If you are in need of a DUI criminal attorney, call Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840, for a free consultation. Attorney, Michael C. Blickensderfer, not only helps those in need with their legal rights, but assists in guiding clients in the right direction for a better and prosperous future. Think quick, call Blick!

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Bank of America is offering up to $30,000 for short sale

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Blick Law

Bank of America released a press release Tuesday, May 15th, announcing the launch of a nationwide program offering delinquent homeowners more assistance with relocation expenses upon the completion of a qualifying short sale.

Qualifying borrowers could receive anywhere from $2,500 to $30,000 in cash upon the close of a short sale. The amount of assistance provided under the new program is determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the value of the home, amount owed and other considerations not clarified in the press release.

Bob Hora, an executive in home transition services for Bank of America, stated that the company is committed to providing alternatives to foreclosure whenever possible. This program will benefit homeowners when all other home retention offers have been exhausted.

To see if you qualify for the relocation assistance payments under the new program, call Blick Law Firm today.  The short sale must be initiated by the end of the year and close by Sept. 26, 2013.  If you have already started a short sale process and have not closed, you may still be eligible for this program. 

Bank of America is currently the only bank offering this program to its homeowners.  While it is available nationally, the greatest response is expected from borrowers in California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida and the other states hit hardest by the housing market.

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May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Blick Law

May means school is out and flowers are in bloom. But May also welcomes more motorcycles on the road as a result of Florida’s sunshine weather.

On May 1, 2012 many on two wheels began a very important awareness. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Due to the increase in the amount of motorcycles on the road, this causes a new set of safety concerns, which launched this nation-wide campaign.

This national awareness month aims to bring attention for motorists to be mindful and cautious of motorcycles on the road. Not only does this month hope to bring a general awareness but it also sends a message of comradery for all to “share the road” with one another, safely.

This national initiative lasts the whole month of May and is being promoted from state to state.

As a motorist remember:

-       Be mindful on the road
-       Look twice before changing lanes
-       Remember to look for the one-eyed headlight on a motorcycle
-       Drive defensively
-       Blow your horn

As a motorcycle rider remember:

-       Be mindful on the road
-       Drive defensively
-       Wear your helmet for further protection
-       If you are riding in a group, stay close with one another –no gaps for motorists to intrude

At Blick Law Firm we encourage Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, celebrated the month of May. As a Tampa personal injury law firm, we see serious injuries or even lives taken all too often due to serious motorcycle accidents.

How to prevent this? It starts with awareness.  Take time to share with others this month and what it represents for your safety and those you ride with.

Look Twice. Save a life. Call 813-931-0840 for more information regarding motorcycle safety tips and how to stay safe on the road. If you find yourself in an unfortunate motorcycle accident, call Attorney Michael Blickensderfer today to assist you with your claim due to others’ negligence.

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