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Riddell Law Group Blog
What are the benefits of probate?
People like to moan and groan about the probate process, but that is often because they do not understand it. Probate is not designed to be this horrible thing you have to go through when a relative dies. In fact, the main goal of the process is to benefit everyone by...
Developer sues city over ocean-front permit denial
Commercial real estate developers in Florida may find it helpful to know that there is recourse to due process when issues arise concerning the approval of building plans. As reported by the Boca Raton Tribune, city officials voted unanimously to deny a developer's...
Takeaways from the Zillow class-action suit
A real estate transaction in Florida may become a tangled affair when a property is advertised online through a service such as Zillow. As reported by the Herald Tribune, a class-action lawsuit alleges Zillow designed its "co-marketing program" as a way to hide a...
Should you consider a generation-skipping trust?
If you are a well-to-do Florida resident, you likely have become so through hard work and responsible financial decision making. You also likely have made every attempt to pass on those values to your children. But what if those lessons did not take as well as you...
How powerful is your Homeowners Association?
If you have found your Florida dream home, you would do well to thoroughly check out its Homeowners Association before you make your offer of purchase. Why? Because HOAs wield a great deal of power over what you can and cannot do with your home once you move in....
Using trusts as part of a retirement plan
When Floridians plan for retirement, the focus tends to be on 401(k)s, IRA accounts and annuities. What about trusts? While many people plan for a long life after retiring from the workforce, not nearly enough put plans in place for what happens to their assets — and...
The problem of dying with too much money
Few people want to talk about what preparations they have in place for their survivors after they pass away. When the topic does come up in Florida, dying with too much money in the bank is the last thing people are concerned about. Floridians are usually more...
In a condo, who is responsible for what kinds of damage?
If you own a condominium unit, you’re engaged in a type of shared ownership when it comes to the rest of the building. By definition, the owner or owners of a condominium unit have a shared, undivided interest in the common areas of the building. In other words, your...
Tips for preparing a home for showing
The Florida real estate market has its unique challenges, both economically and due to the large number of people purchasing second homes while living elsewhere. Like anywhere, the market has its ups and downs, but regardless of whether it is a sellers’ market or...
The benefits of revocable trusts
There are several different tools that can be a part of an effective estate plan. While a revocable trust is not at the very top of the estate planning list, it can be extremely useful for certain families. Also known as a living trust, these trusts are known for...
