why does florida require attorney opinion on preference

by Ian Crona 9 min read

Why Would You Need an Opinion Letter in Florida? There are several reasons you might need an attorney opinion letter, including: Lawfulness of An Action

Full Answer

Can a 12 year old decide which parent to live with in Florida?

In Florida, the age a child can choose a parent to live with will depend on the child's overall maturity. Unlike other states, in Florida, there is no particular age when courts must consider a child's preference. Instead, a judge will decide whether: the child is intelligent enough to make a choice.

Is Florida a mother's right state 2020?

Thus, the 2020 law is not biased against any gender, nor does it recommend any specific timesharing schedule for the mother or father when awarding child custody. In fact, Florida's state law prohibits any form of gender bias in custody cases.Apr 23, 2020

Is Florida a 50/50 child custody State?

You likely have questions about child custody, and how often you will be able to see your children. You may have heard Florida is a 50/50 child custody state, but there is no statutory requirement that mom and dad will split 50/50 parenting time – in fact, nowhere is this mentioned in Florida custody law.Jul 15, 2019

When can a child choose which parent to live with?

If the question of who the child is to live with has to be resolved through court proceedings, then the courts will start to place weight on a child's wishes when they are considered competent to understand the situation. This can be around the age of 12 or 13 but varies on the circumstances.Sep 10, 2020

How a mother can lose a custody battle Florida?

Florida Statute §751.05 states that the court must find that a parent has abandoned, abused, or neglected a child to find that a parent is unfit. A parent may also be found unfit if the parent has a mental illness or substance abuse problem.

At what age can a child make custody decision in Florida?

However, most judges will take into account a child's preference around the age of 12 or 13, along with other factors such as the child's intelligence, maturity, child's experiences with each parent and whether the child understands the decision being made.

Is Florida a mother's state?

Florida is considered a mother state. This means that while fathers still have rights when it comes to their children, they may have to fight harder to assert these rights and to be a part of their child's life.

What is the average monthly child support payment in Florida?

Step 2: Select the number of children involved.
Combined Monthly IncomeOneTwo
$900$213$302
$950$224$347
$1,000$235$365
$1,050$246$382
61 more rows

What is the minimum child support in Florida?

FLORIDA'S BASIC SUPPORT AMOUNT

The basic child support amount for a single child in Florida is $74 where the supporting parent earns a minimum wage/salary of $650.

What happens when a child doesn't want to visit the other parent?

If your child is refusing contact with your co-parent due to a reason that directly concerns their safety, bring this to the attention of your lawyer or other legal professionals immediately. If the reason does not directly impact their safety or well-being, your child should spend time with their other parent.

What do you say when your child wants to live with the other parent?

Say these 5 things for the good of your child.
  1. “This isn't about me.” You don't have to say this one out loud to your child, but you definitely need to hear it yourself. ...
  2. “I know this is hard.” As much as I wanted to tell my son, “You're on vacation! ...
  3. “OK. ...
  4. “I'm sorry you feel that way, but…” ...
  5. “I'll talk to your dad.”

Can a mother stop a father from seeing child?

A mother cannot stop a father seeing his child unless the court orders to do so. If the child is scared of the father due to some kind of abuse or harm, then the mother would need to speak to the child and gather evidence which may prove the child being at risk.

What is a power of attorney in Florida?

As an introduction, a power of attorney is a document in which a person (the “principal”) designates another person to act on the principal’s behalf (the “agent”). Florida law gives the option to create a “durable” power of attorney, which remains effective even if the principal becomes incapacitated—reducing the potential need for ...

When did Florida's power of attorney become effective?

Earlier this year, Florida’s legislature passed an overhaul of Florida’s power of attorney law. The new law, which has an effective date of October 1, 2011, imposes many new requirements on this important estate planning tool. As an introduction, a power of attorney is a document in which a person (the “principal”) designates another person to act on the principal’s behalf (the “agent”). Florida law gives the option to create a “durable” power of attorney, which remains effective even if the principal becomes incapacitated—reducing the potential need for a court-appointed guardian.

Why is it important to consult a qualified attorney when establishing a power of attorney?

It is important to consult a qualified attorney when establishing a power of attorney to ensure that it satisfies Florida’s new power of attorney law. Estate Planning for Unmarried Partners.

What is the new law that allows an agent to do everything the grantor could do?

The new law allows an agent to perform only those acts expressly granted in the document.

Do you need a notary to sign a power of attorney?

7. All new powers of attorney will require two witnesses and a notary. Under the prior law, only durable powers of attorney had to be signed before two witnesses and a notary. Non-durable powers—i.e. those that terminate upon a person’s incapacity—did not require such formalities unless being used to convey real property. Under the new law, durable and non-durable powers of attorney must be signed by the principal in the presence of two witnesses and acknowledged before a notary.

Can a third party get a power of attorney in Florida?

A third party who is called upon to accept an out-of-state power of attorney may request an opinion of counsel concerning the power’s validity, at the principal’s expense. Military powers of attorney also remain valid in Florida if executed in accordance with relevant federal law .

Is Florida's power of attorney still valid?

1. Your existing power of attorney is still valid. Although Florida’s legislature completely re-wrote the power of attorney statute, the new law does not affect powers of attorney validly executed before October 1, 2011. Further, “springing” powers of attorney (discussed further in paragraph 6) signed before October 1, 2011, may still be deployed if the principal becomes incapacitated after October 1, 2011.

What is 295.07 F.S.?

110.205 (2), to . . . disabled veterans " and certain others meeting statutory requirements. Section 295.08, F.S., provides for a "permanent" 10-point preference to disabled veterans who meet the requirements of s. 295.07 (1), F.S., " [f]or those positions for which an examination is used to determine the qualifications for entrance into employment with the state or its political subdivisions . . . ." I find no provisions in either of these sections relating to promotions; rather, these sections are limited by their terms to "appointment and retention in positions of employment," and to "entrance into employment" where a competitive examination is utilized in classifying applicants for a position. See AGO 79-45, analyzing ss. 295.07 and 295.08, F.S. 1977, and s. 295.09, F.S. (1978 Supp.), and distinguishing between employment and promotion. In that opinion, I concluded that certain veterans and other eligible persons are entitled to receive preference points toward their first promotions after employment as well as after reinstatement or reemployment, regardless of whether such persons received preference points upon their entrance into employment, and that certain veterans and other eligible persons who have not yet been awarded veterans' preference points toward their promotion as authorized under s. 295.09, F.S. (1978 Supp.), are entitled to the benefit of such points until the receipt of the "first" promotion under the statute, regardless of whether such persons received any prior promotions. In reaching that conclusion, I examined the provisions of s. 295.09, F.S. 1977, as amended by s. 2, Ch. 78-372, Laws of Florida, which read as follows:

Do veterans get preference points?

In that opinion, I concluded that certain veterans and other eligible persons are entitled to receive preference points toward their first promotions after employment as well as after reinstatement or reemployment, regardless of whether such persons received preference points upon their entrance into employment, and that certain veterans and other eligible persons who have not yet been awarded veterans' preference points toward their promotion as authorized under s. 295.09, F.S. (1978 Supp.), are entitled to the benefit of such points until the receipt of the "first" promotion under the statute, regardless of whether such persons received any prior promotions. In reaching that conclusion, I examined the provisions of s. 295.09, F.S. 1977, as amended by s. 2, Ch. 78-372, Laws of Florida, which read as follows:

Who can administer probate estate in Florida?

In a Will, the decedent can name the beneficiaries whom the decedent wants to receive the decedent ’s probate assets. The decedent also can designate a personal representative (Florida’s term for an executor) to administer the probate estate.

What is probate in Florida?

Probate is a court-supervised process for identifying and gathering the assets of a deceased person (decedent), paying the decedent’s debts, and distributing the decedent’s assets to his or her beneficiaries. In general, the decedent’s assets pay the probate proceeding’s cost, the decedent’s funeral expenses, then the decedent’s outstanding debts. The remainder of the assets is distributed to the decedent’s beneficiaries. You can find the Florida Probate Code in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. You can find the rules governing Florida probate proceedings in the Florida Probate Rules, Part I and Part II (Rules 5.010-5.530).

What is probate administration?

Probate administration applies only to probate assets. Probate assets are those assets owned in the decedent’s sole name at death or owned by the decedent and one or more co-owners and lacked a provision for automatic succession of ownership at death. Examples of assets or property that may be probate assets may include:

What happens if there are more than one descendant in Florida?

If there is more than one descendant, the decedent’s probate estate will be divided among them in the manner prescribed by Florida law. The division will occur at the generational level of the decedent’s children.

What are the two types of probate in Florida?

There are two types of probate administration under Florida law: formal administration and summary administration. This pamphlet will primarily discuss formal administration.

Who receives all of the decedent's probate estate?

In that case, the surviving spouse receives all of the decedent’s probate estate. A “descendant” is a person in any generational level down the descending line from the decedent and includes children, grandchildren, parents, and more remote descendants.

Does Florida have intestate law?

Florida’s intestate laws will pass the decedent’s probate estate to other, more remote heirs if the decedent is not survived by any of the close relatives described above.

Which states have a statute and advisory opinion that restricts the functions that non-attorneys may engage

Attached are a statute and a state bar advisory opinion from two states (Alabama and North Carolina) that restrict the functions that non-attorneys may engage in at closings.

When was the Georgia Supreme Court's advisory opinion issued?

In 2003, the Georgia Supreme Court approved an advisory opinion by the Georgia State Bar's Standing Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law finding that the preparation and execution of a deed of conveyance by a non-attorney represents the unauthorized practice of law (In re UPL Advisory Opinion 2003-2, 588 S.E.2d 741 (Ga. 2003); UPL Advisory Opinion 2003-02 (2003)).

What is the practice of law in mortgages?

The board found that the company engaged in the practice of law when (1) determining the proper legal description of the property as set forth on the deed to be included on an exhibit on the mortgage and (2) explaining to the borrower the terms of many legal documents, including the note, mortgage, Planned Unit Development Rider, the Truth-in-Lending Disclosure, and the first payment letter.

What is the practice of law?

While there is no universal definition of what constitutes the practice of law, most states define the practice of law to include giving advice in matters relating to clients'legal rights or responsibilities, drafting legal documents, and representing clients before a court or similar body.

Is it legal for a lawyer to be present at a closing?

00-3 (Feb. 11, 2000)). The court concluded that “the lawyer must be in control of the closing process from beginning to end. The supervision of the paralegal [who would be physically present at the closing] must be direct and constant.”

Is there an attorney for a real estate settlement in Delaware?

2000)). The board noted that “no attorney is present during these settlements, and in most instances no Delaware attorney is involved in the loan and settlement process . . . In addition, no Delaware attorney reviews the documents used at the settlement” (Mid-Atlantic,2000 Del. LEXIS 243, at *3-4).

Does a non-attorney have to prepare deeds in Alabama?

The section of the Alabama Code defining the practice of law permits a non-attorney to prepare title abstracts and issue title insurance, provided that the non-attorney does not prepare deeds or other legal documents (unless the non-attorney has a proprietary interest in the property) (Ala. Code § 34-3-6(c)). ...

What is the role of an attorney in a title?

Also, the attorney is also responsible for determining the adequacy of the title draft, doing the deeds, and managing the legal transfer of the property. Non-attorneys, on the other hand, are only allowed to participate in clerical and administrative duties such as titling insurance, abstracts, etc.

What does an attorney do for a home?

Your attorney will have the responsibility to gather all legal documents, the necessary paperwork, and make preparations for all facets that grant the homeowner legal rights . The attorney will also have a right to determine the validity and legitimacy of the property as well as the title to the property.

What is a real estate closing attorney?

Much like Virginia, for property closings in West Virginia, real estate closing attorneys coordinate the closing or settlement process for the property being purchased. A real estate agent or attorney facilitates the closing by coordinating these activities necessary to ensure that the title to the property is transferred according to the terms of the purchase, sale contract and that the funds are accounted for on a settlement statement.

Do you need an attorney for closing?

Being a sought-after retirement destination, it is essential for retirees as well as other buyers to know that it is mandatory to hire an attorney for the closing transaction. Your attorney will have the responsibility to gather all legal documents, the necessary paperwork, and make preparations for all facets that grant the homeowner legal rights. The attorney will also have a right to determine the validity and legitimacy of the property as well as the title to the property.

Is it legal to be a non-attorney in Alabama?

The state of Alabama has made it legal for non-attorneys to manage and be in control of closing transactions. However, they are limited in their role and involvement in other matters dictating the closing process. The phrase non-attorneys encompasses terms such as the assistant to an attorney, other parties involved in the home buying process (such as title companies), etc.

Does Massachusetts require an attorney to close a transaction?

The state of Massachusetts places great emphasis on having an attorney for closing transactions on any real estate. The attorney is responsible not just for closing, but they are also required to be actively involved in the processes that need to be taken care of before and during the closing. Moreover, it is illegal for notaries to conduct the closings. Also, the attorney is also responsible for determining the adequacy of the title draft, doing the deeds, and managing the legal transfer of the property.

Is it mandatory to hire an attorney?

Moreover, in some state jurisdictions, it’s also a mandatory prerequisite to hiring an attorney to gather all the documents and legal advice needed in the procedure. The lawyer will also play a part in making all the preparations and execute all the necessary paperwork.

Curt William Ferguson

It sounds like this is a revocable living trust, and sounds like you do not have any ongoing relationship with the attorney who prepared it. Thus you will need to pay an attorney an hourly rate to read through your old trust agreement and provide the legal opinion that is requested.

John P Corrigan

I agree with my colleagues and only add here a link to the specific Fannie Mae guidelines when the borrower is a trust so you can see what needs to be accomplished in terms of whether a trust agreement comports or not with the required standards. https://www.fanniemae.com/content/guide/selling/b2/2/05.html...

Alan James Brinkmeier

This trust document of opinion can easily be prepared. Simply hire a local lawyer and in very short order the review and letter of opinion can be prepared. Good luck.

Why do you need an attorney for a HOA?

More importantly, the hiring of an attorney will help protect the HOA’s authority to govern and its financial well-being.

How to ensure that your HOA is recognized by the State?

To ensure that your HOA is recognized by the State and that all standards for the future management of the community are in compliance with all applicable laws, an attorney should draft the founding documents. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Can an HOA lien be filed against a home?

It is always advisable for your Association to utilize the expertise of an attorney when engaging in the collection of any and all fines or monthly dues that have been levied by the Association. If an individual resident has compiled a lengthy list of violations or simply refuses to comply with an HOA’s order of payment, it may become necessary to file a lien against their home and, ultimately, foreclose on that property. This will require an attorney to file the applicable legal documents.

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Introduction

Types

Administration

Scope

Issue

Ownership

Governance

Access

Significance

Qualification

Functions

Purpose

  • One of the primary purposes of probate is to ensure that the decedents debts are paid in an orderly fashion. The personal representative must use diligent efforts to give actual notice of the probate proceeding to known or reasonably ascertainable creditors. This gives the creditors an opportunity to file claims in the decedents probate estate, if ...
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