James Clifton

James Clifton is the founding member of The Clifton Law Firm, LLC and oversees the firm's multi-state practice. During the course of his career, James has focused primarily on real property, bankruptcy, wills, trusts, and estates. Additionally, he possesses vast experience in suits to quiet title, real property and commercial lending transactions, comprehensive contract formation, title insurance claims, will drafting, estate planning, and probate litigation.

On the weekends, James enjoys donating his time to the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation's Saturday Lawyer Program where he represents indigent clients on a pro bono basis. In addition, he represented Fayette County in the Georgia Attorney General’s state wide food drive, The Legal Food Frenzy. In the past, he has served as an elected member of the Executive Council of the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division and is a graduate of the prestigious Young Lawyer Leadership Academy. James is also a past president of the Fayette County Bar Association.

James is a member of the American Bar Association and its Real Property, Trust, and Estate Section. He is also an active member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia and its Real Property Law Section, Bankruptcy Section, and Creditor's Rights Section; the Florida Bar and its Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; the State Bar of California and its Real Property Law Section; the State Bar of Texas and its Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; and the District of Columbia Bar and its Real Property Law Section.

In addition to the state licensures, James is licensed to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, and the United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. On May 14, 2012, James was sworn into the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

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California

State Bar of California

ID Number: 270535

Since 2010

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Bar

ID Number: 1004023

Since 2011

Florida

The Florida Bar

ID Number: 0064755

Since 2009

Georgia

State Bar of Georgia

Since 2008

Texas

State Bar of Texas

ID Number: 24074043

Since 2010

11th Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2012

United States District Courts for the Northern & Middle Districts of Georgia

Managing Attorney

The Clifton Law Firm, LLC

2010 - Current

Candidate for Georgia House of Representatives

Georgia House of Representatives

2016

Candidate for Georgia State Senate

Georgia State Senate

2014

Partner

Consumer Attorney Services

2011 - 2014

Managing Attorney - Georgia Operations

Albertelli Law

2008 - 2010

Law Clerk 2008

Florida Coastal School of Law

J.D. (2008) | Law

2005 - 2008

Honors: Graduated 17th in the class with cum laude honors; Governors Merit Scholarship Recipient

Activities: Real Property, Trust, and Estates Law Society, Sports Law Society

University System of Georgia - University of Georgia

B.S. (2003) | Psychology

2000 - 2003

Honors: Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society

University System of Georgia - University of Georgia

B.A. (2003) | Political Science

2000 - 2003

Honors: Hope Scholarship Recipient

Good Rating

Avvo

2023

Peer Reviewed (5/5)

Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Services

2022

Executive Council of the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division

Elected Member

Current

District of Columbia Bar  # 1004023

Member

2011 - Current

Activities: Real Property Law Section

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation

Volunteer Attorney

2011 - Current

State Bar of Texas  # 24074043

Member

2010 - Current

Activities: Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section

State Bar of California  # 270535

Member

2010 - Current

Activities: Real Property Law Section

Notary Public

Fayette County Clerk of Court

2022

Q. If you file a Petition for probate court, how long does a respondent have to file an answer?

November 21, 2024

A: After filing the probate petition, you need to have all interested parties served with a copy of the petition or sign a waiver of service. After the petition has been served, the respondent has 30 days to file an objection or other response. If no objection is received, you may proceed with your request for letters testamentary or letters of administration.

Q. What probate form do i need to use when im the only heir left alive to my parents property?

November 20, 2024

A: Depending on how long ago your mother died, you may be able to file an affidavit that shows you as the only heir which would allow you to manage the property and sell it. If that is not an option, you can file for no administration necessary with the probate court since you are the only heir. Once that is completed, the court will issue an order placing the property in your name. Schedule a free consultation to make sure the property is properly placed in your name.

Q. I want to sell my house but my ex wife does not want to. The title is under my name and the deed is in both our names.

November 19, 2024

A: You cannot remove her name from the deed without her consent. You can force her to sell the property, but that can only be accomplished through a partition lawsuit. In a partition lawsuit, you ask the court to divide the property evenly. This typically only works if the property is undeveloped acreage. If the property cannot be divided evenly, the court will order the sale of the property. You will receive half of the money from the sale. Schedule a free consultation to ensure that you get what you are owed out of the property.