Gather close, because this is a true real estate tale with a chilling moral: sometimes the scariest thing lurking in your home isn’t creaky pipes or flickering lights—it’s the paperwork you don’t have. Act I: A Hidden Mortgage On or around December 2018, our client bought what she believed was her dream home. Like any […]
Author: deniseadkins
Estate Planning Horror Stories: The Case of the Vanishing Estate
🎃 Estate Planning Horror Stories – Part 1 (Inspired by a true case. Certain names and details have been omitted to protect the privacy of those involved.) Gather ‘round, dear readers… it’s the season of shadows, and tonight’s tale is not from a haunted house but from the courthouse. Our story begins with a sweet, […]
Lady Bird Deeds in Florida vs. Trusts: Plain-English Guide
Lady Bird Deeds in Florida (Enhanced Life Estates) — Simple Definitions, Real-World Pros/Cons What Is a Florida Lady Bird Deed? Traditional Life Estate (and the #1 DIY Mistake) Revocable Living Trust (Why It’s the Backbone) The #1 DIY mistake with deeds (and why it’s a problem) Florida’s Uniform Title Standards spell out that an enhanced […]
Probate in Florida: What Families Need to Know
When a loved one passes away, the last thing you want is to get lost in legal paperwork. Unfortunately, if the person owned property or significant assets in Florida, their estate may need to go through probate—a court process that makes sure debts are paid and property is legally transferred to heirs or beneficiaries. The […]
When the Ground Shifts Beneath You: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About HOAs, Easements, and Erosion
Introduction If you’ve ever dealt with a homeowners’ association (HOA), you know it can feel a little like being in a sitcom—with rules about mailbox colors, garbage cans, and maybe even whether your gnome collection is HOA-approved. But when the issues get serious—like drainage, slope stability, or erosion threatening your home—HOA responsibilities are no laughing […]