Tag Archives: tampa law firm

Republican National Convention 2012

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Blick Law

As host to the Republican National Convention, Tampa Bay has the national spotlight shining brightly throughout the city. Reports suggest that with the mass influx of people, crime rates have actually gone down considerably. This trend is being attributed to both the added force of 4,000 law enforcement officers that were brought in to maintain the peace and the recent downpour of rain brought by Hurricane Isaac.

Nonetheless, people have taken to the streets to voice their opinions and protest various issues. Protestors have reportedly been peaceful and though only a few arrests have been made, it is only midweek and it is important to be aware of the potential violence that can occur.

Originally, city officials worried that the riots that took place last year in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the Convention would repeat themselves here in Florida. Last year in St. Paul, thousands of protesters packed the city and hundreds were arrested during the Convention’s first day and hundreds more on its last. Some smashed cars, punctured tires and threw bottles in a confrontation with police. Fortunately, violence has not tainted the peaceful assembly of concerned citizens here in Tampa.

Ultimately, protesters can say and do whatever they want as long as they don’t cross the line into criminal behavior. Behavior such as: carrying weapons, fighting, physically opposing police officers and/or concealing your identity is illegal and may lead to arrest and other criminal consequences.

If you have questions about your Constitutional rights or are concerned about the potential dangers of protesting and getting arrested, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer today. Think quick, call Blick!

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Short Sale Common Questions

Posted on August 27, 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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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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Consequences to your credit following a short sale

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

After selling your home in a short sale, many factors must be taken into account to determine your ability to obtain a mortgage.

Your post-short sale credit score may drop, usually around 100 points or more. This could prevent you from obtaining a favorable interest rate on any new home loan. Also, you may have to put more money down. In many cases, it often takes two to three years before you’re eligible for another mortgage.

As long as you were current on your older home mortgage before short sale, you will have to wait at least two years for a loan that is federally backed, such as those from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). If you are delinquent, it could take as long as three years. Private lenders, of course, are free to set their own time requirements.

Your credit score generally suffers a similar hit after a short sale or a foreclosure. However, most federally backed home loans don’t weigh your actual credit score or history too heavily when you go for a new home loan.

When you are ready to consider purchasing in the real estate market again, call attorney Michael Blickensderfer and let Blick Law Firm handle your proceedings and title closing.  As an experienced real estate lawyer, he understands the aftermath of a short sale and how to recoup and move forward with your life. Call us today at 813-931-0840.

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Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office discusses severity of underage drinking for minors

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

Is your child approaching graduation? This time of year for many high school seniors is exciting because of what it symbolizes, the beginning of something new. As a parent, it is important to be mindful of the mindset of students and educate them so they make responsible choice for the future.

According the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff David Gee wants to encourage everyone to celebrate safely and to let the community know that deputies will be on extra alert for parties where alcohol is made available to minors.

Anyone that allows those under the age of 21 to possess and/or consume alcohol may be at risk of charges such as Open House Parties and Contributing to the Delinquency or Dependency of a Child. As well as charges of Child Neglect, which is considered a felony.  

Other issues that derive from underage drinking: acts of violence. Many house parties are known for violent outbursts as a result of the combination of underage drinking and lack of adult supervision.

There are many dangers that may occur around this time of year for high school graduates. Local sheriff’s offices will be extra cautious of these situations and encourage parents to educate their children of the harm of underage drinking.

If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, give attorney Michael C. Blickensderfer a call at 813-931-0840. Seek an experienced Tampa Criminal Defense attorney that will properly represent you or your loved ones, striving for the best possible outcome for your children.

Anyone with information about underage drinking is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

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What is a Personal Injury Case?

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

A personal injury case is a legal contest between private parties where one side is seeking money damages from the other side as compensation for injuries. A person or group of persons who bring a personal injury case are alleging that they were emotionally or physically harmed due to the negligence or intentional conduct of the other party.

The most common types of personal injury cases are those based on claims of negligence and typically involve car accidents, slip-and-falls and medical malpractice. Other personal injury claims may include trespass, defamation of character, battery and assault and theft of trade secrets or copyrights.

Under the law of negligence, a plaintiff must prove that:

1) The defendant owed him or her a duty to act reasonably and safely.
2) The defendant breached that duty.
3) The plaintiff suffered harm as a result of the defendant’s negligence.

Negligence under the law means acting in a way that fails to conform with a specific standard of conduct, thereby putting others at risk for injury. Some examples include firing a gun recklessly, speeding on an icy roadway or failing to caution customers that your store floor is wet.

If your case is tried in court and you win, a judge or jury could award you damages to compensate you for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and, in some cases, additional damages as a way of punishing the defendant for their flagrantly negligent conduct. *Most states now have caps on the amount of damages plaintiffs can receive.

What is the cost to retain a Tampa personal injury firm?

Lawyers do not charge clients up front for legal fees associated with bringing a personal injury case. They get paid a portion of whatever the client wins, plus any additional legal expenses.

If you are seeking a possible personal injury claim or you are unsure of the ways in which hiring a personal injury lawyer may help, call Blick Law Firm today to receive your free consultation. Call us at 813-931-0840.

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