The latest news and updates
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In Loving Memory of Frederic "Ric" Stanley, Esq.
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Today I would like to highlight the life of a fellow attorney and friend to many, Frederic "Ric" Stanley. Ric was a practicing attorney in the Central Florida area for over 40 years. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Political Science/Psych BA and the University of Florida Law School. His areas of expertise included general Civil practice, Commercial litigation's, Business transactions, Real Estate closings and disputes.
He was the founder of the "Low Fee Foreclosure Defense" plan, certified Florida Supreme Court Mediator, Florida Real Estate license law instructor, he served as General Counsel for the Greater Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, he was a past President and Director of the Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society and a speaker at Continuing Legal Education Seminars for attorneys.
During his legal practice he was awarded the Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society Distinguished Pro Bono Award, Florida Supreme Court Young Lawyer Division and Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association Commendation for exceptional Pro Bono service and Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society "Advocate of the Year" award.
Sadly, Ric passed away at home on May 21, 2020 due to complications of Alzheimers. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family. Anyone wishing to be notified of his memorial service can contact his wife at
dee@stanlaw.com
.
-Silvia McLain, Esq.
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Governor DeSantis Extends Moratoriam
Concerning Evictions Until August 1
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Learn About the Eviction Process
for Non-Payment of Rent in Florida
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Extended Protections for Homeowners and Tenants
Written by Yvonne Alonso, Esq.
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As many homeowners and tenants continue to struggle to meet their monthly mortgage and rent payments due to COVID-19, several federally funded mortgagors have extended protections against foreclosure and eviction proceedings beyond that provided by the CARES Act.
The CARES Act prohibits loan servicers from initiating any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process on all federally backed/insured mortgages as well as any associated evictions for non-payment of rent. Recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Development, the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Federal Housing Financing Agency have extended the moratorium on these cases through August 31, 2020. More information can be found by following the links below:
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New Laws Taking Effect in 2020
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The Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act
Written by Joanne Desile, Esq.
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On June 27, 2020, Governor DeSantis signed SB 1362, which repeals Fla. Stat. §83.561 and replaces it with Fla. Stat. §83.5615. This new statute will make Florida state law consistent with Federal law. Effective July 1, 2020, if, after the property is sold in a foreclosure sale and the purchaser intends to move into the property, they must provide the bona fide tenants with at least 90 days’ written notice terminating the rental agreement and to leave. If the purchaser does not intend to move into the property, they must allow the bona fide tenants to remain in the property throughout the remainder of their lease.
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Governor Protects Pets In
Domestic Violence Cases
Written by Sue Selsky, Esq.
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Governor DeSantis has given pet owners who are victims of domestic violence the right to keep their pets with them and away from their abuser. Florida Senate Bill 1082 was recently signed into law by the Governor, and takes effect July 1, 2020.
This new law will allow domestic violence victims exclusive temporary possession of a pet, whether it is their own, their child’s pet, or even the respondent’s pet on a temporary basis, until there is a hearing with the judge. Unfortunately, pets often are used by abusers to threaten, and intimidate victims, and they may also threaten the pets lives, injure them, or worse.
Now, thanks to this new law, petitioners seeking domestic violence injunctions will have the added safety of knowing the family pet will be protected.
Please click here to view S.B 1082
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House Bill 37 Works to Ensure
Children's School Bus Safety
Written by Silvia McLain, Esq.
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Governor DeSantis signs
House Bill 37 concerning school bus safety. The bill will increase penalties for motorist who drive improperly when buses are stopped to load and unload children. In part, it would increase from $100 to $200 as the minimum penalty for motorists who fail to stop for school buses and would double from $200 to $400 as the minimum penalty for motorists who pass stopped school buses on the side where the children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal. In addition to these penalties, the department can suspend the drivers license of a violator of this law. The law takes effect January 1, 2021.
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College Athlete NIL Compensation Bill
Written by Carolina Hernandez
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Governor DeSantis recently signed an athletic compensation bill, which allows for athletes to profit from endorsements starting July 2021 from third party sources. This bill also allows for college students to have professional representation through licensed agents or attorneys who are Florida Bar members in good standing. This bill also requires that these student athletes take a financial literacy course to assist them in handling their finances
once they will be eligible to make more money from endorsements. To view the bill,
click here
.
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Amendments to Florida Statute 92.605 Governing
Subpoenas Involving Florida Businesses
and Out of State Corporations
Written by Silvia McLain, Esq.
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Florida Statute 92.605 was amended effective July 1, 2020. The main revision to this statute involves the manner in which the courts can address the refusal of a Florida business or an out of state corporation to comply with a properly served subpoena. The applicant who sought the subpoena may petition a court to address the matter as indirect criminal contempt and request to punish the business or corporation by a fine of not less than $100 per day and not more than $1,000 per day for a maximum of 60 days. See
House Bill 103
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Have you received your stimulus check? If you have not, you have until October 15 to
submit your information to the IRS and turn in a 2019 tax return. If were not required to file, non-filer forms can be found
by clicking here
. Do you need to find out the status of your stimulus check or update your direct deposit information? If so,
please click here
. Did you receive a physical stimulus check that was lost, stolen or destroyed? If so, trace your payment by calling the IRS at 800-919-9835 or submit Form 3911 which can be found
by clicking here.
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For children who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch, the P-EBT program will be providing food assistance while schools are closed due to COVID-19. For more information on this program and whether your child is eligible for this program
,
please click here
.
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Lynda.com
Written by Carolina Hernandez
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Lynda.com is a website owned by LinkedIn that provides online classes, trainings, and tutorials for multiple subjects. Whether you would like to learn software pertaining to running a business, such as QuickBooks, to learning Office 365 applications, social media, communication skills, video or animation skills, Lynda.com can help. It has thousands of courses to review. Lynda.com also provides weekly assignments, where viewers can use to sharpen their skills and advance in their professions.
Lynda.com is free for those who have a library card. To log into Lynda.com using your library card in Seminole County,
please click here
. If you do not have a library card, you may sign up for one through your local library.
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Farewell to Carolina and Victoria
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On July 10th, we say goodbye to our Pro Bono Coordinator Carolina Hernandez. A recent graduate of UCF, Carolina has been with us for over two years and has worked alongside the community to organize legal outreach programs as well as local attorneys, working to find pro bono attorneys for in-need residents of Seminole County. She has also been the point of contact for Annual Guardianship Plans and our Annual Fundraiser. Carolina will be taking a year of service through Americorps, and we wish Carolina the best in her future endeavors.
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On July 24th, we also say goodbye to Victoria Thacker, our Intake Assistant. Victoria has worked with us for a year, being a clients first impression by assisting applicants and setting their initial appointments. Victoria has also headed our social media department during her time with us. Victoria will be attending FIU Law School on a full scholarship this coming Fall and we wish her the very best in her legal studies. Welcome to the profession!
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Our office has the pleasure of adding a new member to our family. Please welcome Maria Machado, our new Pro Bono Coordinator. Maria is a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida, with a degree in Political Science. During her time at UCF, she was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity as well as Green Greeks, where she worked to push a greener lifestyle on UCF's campus. Born in Venezuela, Maria speaks fluent Spanish.
She will be handling the assignment of pro bono cases, scheduling pro bono clinics, handling guardianship cases, social media posts, and connecting with attorneys who would like to donate their time to help clients. If you are an attorney looking to assist in pro bono cases, contact Maria at 407-834-1660 ext. 113 or email her at coordinator@scbalas.com
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Virtual Legal Assistance for Veterans
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The Veterans Legal Advice Clinic held at the Seminole County Library in Casselberry the second Thursday of every month is cancelled because the library is currently closed.
Seminole County Legal Aid Society will offer virtual legal advice by telephone to Veterans who have questions regarding Family Law and Housing matters. For assistance please call (863) 272-9731 to schedule a time to speak to an attorney.
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Medically Enhanced Sheltering
During Hurricane Season
Written by Carolina Hernandez
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During hurricane season, it is important to be prepared. Part of this preparation involves where you will go if areas need to be evacuated for a storm. If you or someone you know has medical conditions or disabilities that require home assistance, you may qualify to register for Medically Enhanced, or “Special Needs” Sheltering. Medically Enhanced shelters are shelters that have the proper equipment set up to assist those with medical conditions during an evacuation that you would not find in a regular shelter.
Those qualifying for special needs sheltering may also receive necessary transportation to their shelter during an evacuation. This is meant for those individuals that are not currently in a living situation that has the proper equipment for disabled individuals, such as hospitals or nursing homes. Rather, these shelters are voluntary areas meant to harbor those with no other alternative but public shelter.
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New Administrative Orders
In Re:
Limited Extension of Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief
In Re: Domestic Relations – COVID-19 Visitation & Time-sharing Guidelines
In Re: Administrative Rules - Covid-19 Reopening Procedures - Transitioning from Phase 1 to Phase 2
In Re: Judges - Division and Case Assignments
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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE 1-800-435-7352, WITHIN THE STATE OR ONLINE AT WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. OUR REGISTRATION NUMBER IS 1944.
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