Tag Archives: christian law association

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!

Posted in Blog, Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Home Affordable program

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Blick Law

The Making Home Affordable program is focused on stabilizing the housing market by providing relief to struggling homeowners.

MHA can help in a variety of ways by lowering monthly payments,  reducing interest rates even if you owe more than your home is worth, or if home ownership is no longer affordable, MHA offers a way out while avoiding foreclosure. In an effort to enable more struggling homeowners to take advantage of the Making Home Affordable Program , the Government  has extended the application deadline of the program to December 31, 2013.

Getting approved for assistance through the MHA program can be a difficult process, and Homeowners who prepare diligently are more likely to receive a positive result.

At Blick law firm we have had success in providing relief to homeowners through the MHA program, so before you begin exploring your options call Blick Law Firm at (813) 931-0840 to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

Posted in Blog, Media, Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy basics

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Blick Law

Available Bankruptcy claim types vary depending on your particular situation, and understanding the differences is important.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is a liquidation proceeding whereby the debtor turns over all non-exempt property to the bankruptcy trustee who then converts it to cash to pay off the creditors. Usually within four months the debtor then receives a discharge of all dischargeable debts. Usually, these dischargeable debts include your credit card debt, old medical bills, utilities bills, unsecured loans, pay day loans, and most other types of unsecured debt.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is generally available when the debtor has little property aside from the basic necessities like furniture and clothing; and the debtor has difficulty making payments on basic expenses, or has very little money left after doing so.

The advantage to filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is that your unsecured debt is completely eliminated, the process is fairly quick, and the automatic stay that takes place after filing prohibits creditors from making collection efforts.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is more of a reorganization process that is available to debtors who have significant equity in a home or other property and want to keep it, or maintain a regular income but simply can’t keep up with the scheduled payments on their debts. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy allows the debtor to restructure the debt to have it paid off over a period of three to five years.

The advantage to filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is that you can maintain your property while spreading out the payments, you will have three to five years to catch up on delinquent accounts, and during that time you will make only one monthly payment to the bankruptcy trustee for payment to all creditors involved.

No matter what your situation is, obtaining quality legal consultation from an experienced bankruptcy attorney is beneficial. Contact Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer to assess what option is best for you. Think quick, call Blick!

Posted in Bankruptcy, Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DUI: Drunk vs. Under the Influence

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Blick Law

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 and prescription medication.

Under Florida State Statute 316.193, being under the influence pertains to both alcohol and drugs. Therefore, if you are under the influence of drugs and are in actual physical control of a vehicle, you can 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.

Police officers will pull drivers over for a number of traffic offenses, even minor ones, and initiate immediate conversation to determine the potential impairment of the driver. To assess the physical signs of impairment, Police will be looking for the ability to maintain eye contact, slurred speech, the smell of alcohol on a driver’s breath, or bloodshot eyes.

Know that your behavior once you’re pulled over is being scrutinized immediately, especially when pulled over late in the evening or after leaving a bar. Therefore, being polite, answering questions respectfully, and not making legal arguments is in your best interest.

While it is your right to not answer any questions without a lawyer present, not doing so will certainly raise the officer’s suspicion and they will likely investigate further. It is wise to answer questions vaguely and avoid delving into specifics, including any amount of alcohol you have consumed, or that you just left a party, bar, or football game.

If the Police are suspicious, they will tell you to exit the vehicle, and you must. However, you may refuse to submit to any sobriety tests conducted. Even if you think you can pass the sobriety exercises, it is likely in your best interest to politely refuse because the officer determines whether you passed based solely on their own judgment. Know that you always have the right to contact Tampa Criminal attorney before you submit to any test.

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. Attorney, Michael Blickensderfer has 25 year’s legal experience and is licensed in Florida, New York and New Jersey. Blick Law Firm seeks to help the hurting and those in need. Think quick, call Blick!

Posted in Blog, Criminal Law, DUI | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quiebra: Ventajas y Alternativas

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Blick Law

La quiebra es un área compleja de la ley e implica muchas consideraciones, incluyendo la posibilidad de presentar, determinar qué tipo de quiebra presentar en una petición, el uso de las exenciones, la comprensión de las protecciones de la Ley de Quiebras y usarlos a su ventaja.

Muchas personas utilizan la bancarrota como una estrategia para resolver una deuda inmanejable. Hoy en día, es más común de lo que muchos se dan cuenta y puede ser una solución refrescante para una vida agobiada por las deudas.

Ventajas y alternativas que considerar:

Eliminación de la Deuda: La principal ventaja de la declaración de quiebra o bancarrota es la liquidación de la mayoría de la deuda. La descarga elimina totalmente la obligación de pagar la deuda de muchos tipos, incluyendo su deuda de tarjeta de crédito, las facturas médicas, facturas de servicios públicos, préstamos sin garantía, préstamos de día de pago, y la mayoría de otros tipos de deuda no garantizada. *** Nota: Ciertos tipos de la deuda no se puede evitar la declaración de quiebra como los préstamos estudiantiles, manutención infantil y pensión alimenticia, multas, sentencias del Tribunal de DUI contra el deudor y las deudas contraídas por el fraude.

Evitar el acoso de los acreedores: Una vez que un deudor se declara en bancarrota, hay una suspensión automática de la colección de la deuda y la mayoría de los acreedores deben poner fin a sus esfuerzos de recolección de inmediato. La estancia es una orden de la corte automático que prohíbe todo tipo de intentos de recogida de los acreedores, y posterga la mayoría de las acciones contra el deudor, incluyendo embargos, embargos o accesorios, cierres de servicios públicos, ejecuciones hipotecarias y los desalojos.

Empezar de nuevo: Usted será capaz de pagar las cosas que son importantes para usted, y comenzar a reconstruir su crédito en paz!

Alternativas a considerar: La bancarrota no es el único método de negociación de la deuda insuperable, y otros métodos puede ser más ventajoso para su situación particular. Estas alternativas pueden incluir un acuerdo fuera de corte con los acreedores, la reducción de los pagos a los acreedores, la consolidación de deudas, o el pago de la deuda mediante la venta de activos o financiamiento de los activos. Sin embargo, la disponibilidad de estos métodos varía en función de la gravedad de sus dificultades financieras, y también requiere la cooperación de los acreedores.

Si usted está teniendo problemas para cumplir con sus obligaciones de deuda, consulte con un abogado experto en quiebras de Tampa para hablar sobre sus opciones.

Llame al bufete de abogados Blick hoy al 813-931-0840. Haga una cita para una consulta gratis de 15 minutos con Michael Blickensderfer para ver si la quiebra o bancarrota es la adecuada solución para su situación.

Posted in El Blog de Blick Law Firm, Spanish | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment