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Barbara Billiot Stage
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Practice Area
- Real Estate Law
- Condominiums, Homeowners Association, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate
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- The Florida Bar  # 0042467
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396 Questions Answered
- Q. Can the HOA file a Case Management Order in FL without serving me and claim unknowing my residence despite my declaration of domicile?
- A: Case management plans are filed by the Plaintiff and the judge issues a case management order. The HOA very likely doesn't know where your reside. It is the responsibility of the owner to be proactive and notify the HOA of any changes in a mailing address. If the property is in the estate's name still, the HOA has to sue and serve the estate and any known and unknown heirs. Filing a declaration of domicile doesn't notify the HOA of your address unless you sent it to the association (or the association's attorney if it was already in collections). A condominium has a continuing lien for not only past due assessments but interest, late fees, attorneys' fees and costs. ... Read More
- Q. Can I speak to my HOA board about assessment issues before involving an attorney?
- A: I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. It is industry practice to have the attorney handle a matter completely once the file has been turned over to the attorney for collections. There is nothing prohibiting this practice and many attorneys, like myself, require the Association to agree to these terms in the contract for legal services. This is because board members and management may not have the latest legal fees and status of the case. These are usually not conveyed to the Association except when the Association is billed or requests a status report. It also creates a problem with "he said, she said" and jeopardizes the Association's ability to collect past due assessments, ... Read More
- Q. How can I transfer our joint house deed to my husband legally?
- A: I would suggest you have a lawyer do this. The fee is usually a nominal amount. A quitclaim deed will only cause problems later. There are options such as a joint tenants with rights of survivorship, a warranty deed with a life estate should he for some reason pass first (this has happened to people unexpectedly), as well as other options.
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