Tag Archives: carrollwood law firm

Secured vs. Unsecured Loans

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Blick Law

Many people, when going through Bankruptcy, have common questions about the different terms encountered while going through the Bankruptcy process. Understanding the difference between Unsecured and Secured Debt can be confusing, and it is important to be well informed when considering whether or not to file for Bankruptcy.

Secured Debt is debt that has a security interest or collateral tied to the agreement, whereby creditors can repossess or foreclose on the collateral if the debtor fails to pay back the loan. Common examples of Secured Debt are home mortgages or car loans; in the event the debtor cannot pay the amount owed, the loan is secured by the ability of the creditor to repossess the home or the car.

On the other hand, unsecured debt is debt that has no collateral attached to the agreement. Instead, unsecured creditors generally rely on your credit score and issue credit based on good faith that you will repay the amount loaned. Common examples of unsecured debt are credit card bills, medical bills, and utilities bills.

Upon filing for Bankruptcy, most Unsecured Debt is discharged with the exception of Student Loans, Child Support and Alimony Payments, Court Fines, DUI judgments against the debtor, and debts incurred by Fraud. The discharge of unsecured debt is a primary benefit of filing for Bankruptcy, and comes along with an Automatic Stay against creditors pursuing their collection efforts.

Understand that filing for Bankruptcy is a complex process with important benefits, consequences, and alternatives to consider. In the event you are considering Bankruptcy, call Blick Law Firm today for help at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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Police Stops, Detained vs. Arrested

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Blick Law

When confronted by police, people often become nervous because they are unsure if they may be in violation of some ordinance or law. The difference between merely being detained by police and arrested creates different limitations to your rights. It is important to understand what you can do. Police may stop you, and it is not considered an arrest if you are just briefly detained.

A detainment occurs when an officer stops and questions a person of interest, generally for a shorter period of time, and requires less than “probable cause” to make a detainment. An officer can detain anyone if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that the person committed or was involved in any criminal activity.

In the event you are stopped for questioning, it is important to remain calm, be polite, keep your hands visible at all times, and do not attempt to flee. You do have the right to remain silent, however, it is best to identify yourself first and then notify the officer that you are exercising your right to silence.

If you are unsure of the situation, you can ask the officer why you have been detained and if you are under arrest. If at that time you are not under arrest, you have the right to leave. If the officer proceeds to arrest you, you have the right to speak to a Criminal Defense Attorney.

An arrest occurs only upon a determination of “probable cause”, this means the officer must have more than just a “suspicion”, the officer must have a “reasonable belief” that you committed a crime. Once the arrest is made, an officer can lawfully conduct a search incident to arrest of your person for weapons, evidence, and contraband. At this point, the officer can hold you in jail for up to 24 hours or until a warrant is issued for the charges.

Anytime you are stopped and arrested it is important to quickly consult a Criminal Attorney regarding your rights and advice on what you should do. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, or even issued a citation for a traffic violation, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 to schedule an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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2012 London Olympic Games Influence: Young Athletes, Injury, and Overuse

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Blick Law

Throughout the course of the Summer London 2012 Olympic Games, millions of people have enjoyed the spirit of competition and the thrill of victory. At a young age, competition in various sports and games is common and important throughout the development of a child.

With the growing problem of childhood obesity and unhealthy diet habits, some parents have encouraged increased participation in sports and activities. This is great to develop healthy exercise habits in children and maintain a competitive spirit that they can continue into their adult lives.

However, some children are pushed to heightened levels of performance that their growing bodies many times cannot handle, and begin to wear down quickly. In growing proportion, children are developing early onset cases of Arthritis and Tendonitis, and even examples of Tendon Transplants for elbow injuries to young baseball pitchers has been required for children as young as 10 years old. While it is important for parents to ensure their children stay active, it is vital to monitor young athletes and avoid injury from overuse.

At Blick Law firm we handle a variety of injury cases, and we pride ourselves on Helping the Hurting. If you or a loved have been injured and need advice, call Blick Law Firm today at (813)931- 0840 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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Pedestrian Safety, A Florida Problem

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Blick Law

Florida leads the country in pedestrian deaths each year, and this statistic has become a major concern for the Florida Department of Transportation. According to an annual study by nonprofit organization Transportation for America, Florida includes four of the five most dangerous metropolitan areas in the country for pedestrians and bikers…. and the Tampa area is listed as number two.

Under Florida Law, drivers are required to come to a complete STOP when approaching a pedestrian cross-walk. However, many cross-walk signs do not notify motorists of their obligation to stop, and most drivers interpret cross-walk signs as a notice to YIELD to pedestrians. This misinformation creates a dangerous miscommunication between driver and pedestrian, and has led to many fatal and life-altering personal injury accidents.

While laws are in place to protect pedestrians from motorists, Florida law also maintains that pedestrians have an obligation to be responsible and cognizant of their surroundings when utilizing the roadways. Among the factors contributing to the increased pedestrian death in Florida is a lack of awareness by both motorists and pedestrians. As a result, it is important to stay educated about the potential safety hazards while walking, biking, and driving on Florida roadways. Unfortunately for many people, roadway safety concerns are not fully appreciated until disaster hits close to home.

If you, or your family have been a victim of a personal injury accident call Blick Law firm at (813) 931-0840 to learn about your rights. Schedule an appointment today for a free case evaluation with Attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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Title Insurance, what is it?… and why you need it?

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Blick Law

Title insurance is a rarely understood protection necessary when purchasing a new home or property. Contrary to other forms of insurance that protect against future loss or damage, Title Insurance protects against past events that may cause loss or damage after the purchase of new property due to a failure or defect of the title.

When purchasing Title Insurance, the title company will conduct a search of public land records to discover potential matters affecting the title of the property. Common issues include: improperly prepared deeds, open mortgages, wills, probate proceedings, outstanding judgments or tax liens against the property or individuals, covenants and restrictions, and easements. After the records search, the buyer is then issued the Title Insurance.

While the records search conducted by the title company is generally exhaustive, many problems can still exist and affect the validity of the title. Disputes can still arise due to mistakes in the public record, previously undisclosed heirs claiming to own the property, and fraud…. These hidden hazards do exist, and Title Insurance will protect you against these potential problems and pay for any legal fees involved in defending a claim.

It is important to not only seek a title company for protection when purchasing a new home, but also making sure that the title company has an experienced and competent real estate attorney.

A real estate lawyer that handles and serves clients in title services is able to take legal action as needed to protect clients from any future problems that may arise. An attorney can properly analyze your housing situation to handle any issues, insuring you and your loved ones a secure real estate closing for your new home.

At Blick Law Firm we provide title insurance and escrow services to clients throughout the entire State of Florida. Call us today at 813-931-0840. Make an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Blick Law Firm seeks to help the hurting and those in need. Think quick, call Blick!

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