Why You Need an Employee Manual + a Special Summer Deal

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Overview

Despite significant job losses during the height of the pandemic, the start of Spring appears to have rejuvenated the growth of businesses, with 431,000 jobs added in March alone. With the excitement of gaining new team members also comes the stress of ensuring that new employees are aware of company policy, environment, expectations, and more. This is when an employee manual steps in to save the day. An employee handbook is a compilation of your business’ procedures, policies, expectations and working conditions and acts as the foundation for your company’s operation. Employee handbooks provide essential guidance to new employees regarding benefits, conflict resolution, anti-discrimination policies, conduct standards, work schedules, workplace safety and security, and much more. These manuals are key documents for any business to have because they set the standard for your company’s culture, environment and essential policies. Not only do employee handbooks help your employees to thrive in their new roles; they also protect your business against potential lawsuits, liabilities and claims. These guides, when crafted by a skilled legal professional, will surely help your company blossom this summer as your business continues to grow and expand!

Key Aspects of an Employee Manual

Employee handbooks will vary in length and complexity depending on your business needs, industry, and size. Important provisions in an employee manual include:

  • Benefits and compensation;
  • Communication policy;
  • Nondiscrimination policy;
  • Harassment policy;
  • Employee dress code;
  • Separation/termination policy;
  • Workplace safety guidelines;
  • Policies for sick days and vacation requests;
  • Company code of ethics; and
  • Disciplinary procedures.

These provisions ensure employees have a clear understanding of their obligations and rights while also protecting them from potential harm. Employee manuals foster a positive workplace culture founded in clear communication and standardized policies, improving your company’s efficiency and work environment.

Employee handbooks not only protect your employees from harm and serve as an important reference for employees. They can also help to protect your business from claims, such as wrongful termination, retaliation, and discrimination, and work to mitigate the risks of costly legal action by supporting compliance with Human Resources (HR). Seeing as employee turnover is expected to rise by nearly 20% this year, employee handbooks can be important tools to support retention by creating an environment of mutual respect and keeping employees motivated. Additionally, employee handbooks are crucial during the onboarding process, by providing new employees with both clear expectations and a connection with the company’s mission. This is critical in maintaining positive retention rates, as 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company for three years if they experienced wonderful onboarding.

Benefits of Employee Handbooks

Employee handbooks provide your company with a multitude of benefits no matter the size. A well-written employee manual creates a clear foundation for management to ensure the entire business is on the same page with consistent enforcement of policy. This ensures that employees are treated equally and policies are fairly enforced. The main purpose of an employee handbook is to bridge the gap between the employer and the employees regarding expectations and requirements, and encourage accountability on both sides of the working relationship, helping your business thrive by preventing misunderstanding and dissatisfaction due to unclear policies. A “toxic” workplace culture has been driving a large amount of resignations in recent years, but a clear employee handbook can work to mitigate this. Handbooks allow for open discussions about company policy, making team members feel included and heard in the company, which limits dissatisfaction in the workplace.

Handbooks are also great at minimizing conflict within your company. A lack of clarity on policy and procedures often leads to conflict, as employees feel confused and frustrated. Employee handbooks also save your business essential time, as employees will have the manual as a point of reference whenever there are disputes, avoiding solvable HR issues getting out of hand and dragging out over a lengthy period of time.

In the technological age of remote working and digital communication, having direct, coherent company policies and expectations readily available for employees is essential. Additionally, clear expectations for how work-provided cell phones and laptops should be used ensure that company equipment is well taken care of. From the very first day on the job, employees will be immediately introduced to and immersed in the values and culture of your company, setting the standards for employment and creating a healthy workplace that addresses conflicts before they arise.

Importance of Attorney Guidance

It is important to have an attorney specialized in business law draft your handbook because they know the most important sections to be included, how to tailor the manual to suit the specific needs of your business, how to best protect your company’s rights, and how to avoid liability issues in the future. Clear communication is absolutely key to a successful business, which is why an attorney will work hard to ensure your company policies and expectations are explained in plain terms. The guidance of an experienced business law attorney can help to protect you from potentially costly legal battles in the future, as poorly written handbooks or boilerplate manuals downloaded from the internet may subject you to liability. A knowledgeable attorney will make certain that all necessary provisions are included in your handbook and that federal, state, and local labor laws are followed, and will determine the appropriate policies for your business to protect both you and your employees without sacrificing your company’s valuable mission, values, and vision.

A Can’t-Miss Summer Deal!

In order to help your business bloom in this summer heat, we are excited to offer an incredible deal on employee manuals! No matter how large or small your business is or whether it is 10 days or 10 years old, employee manuals are absolutely essential for clear communication of company expectations, policies, and aspirations. For only $500, you will receive the draft of one employee manual by an experienced business law attorney, with one set of edits requested by you included in the flat fee! In order to take advantage of this amazing deal, please call our office at 407-512-4394.

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The Florida Gopher Tortoise – A Slow Set-Back to Development *An Update and Information about the Florida Scrub-Jay*

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Overview

Florida is one of the most biodiverse states in the United States, ranking 7th with 4,368 known animal species. Due to this high amount of biodiversity, it is important to consider the animals that may reside on the land when purchasing property or purchasing land to build property on. If any species classified as endangered or threatened inhabits a property or piece of land, a lengthy and likely expensive process may ensue for a buyer. This includes the gopher tortoise and Florida scrub-jay. For more information about the gopher tortoise, visit our previous article titled, “The Florida Gopher Tortoise – A Slow Set-Back to Development.” The Florida scrub-jay is the only bird species that lives exclusively in Florida. These two species are both designated as “threatened” by the federal Endangered Species Act.

About the Florida Scrub-Jay

The Florida scrub-jay is a small blue and gray songbird species endemic to Florida. It is estimated that there are only 7,700-9,300 remaining Florida scrub-jays. Adult scrub-jays have a blue tail, head, and wings and a gray belly. Unlike blue jays, the Florida scrub-jay does not have any black markings or a crest.

The scrub-jays mate for life and form long-lasting pair bonds. They are cooperative breeders, meaning that the offspring of the breeding pair will typically stay for an additional year in order to help raise other young and defend the nest.

The Florida scrub-jay typically resides in dry, low-growing scrub oak in sandy soils. It can be found year-round in parts of Central and Southeast Florida, typically along old sand dunes near the coast and sandy deposits along rivers.

A Threatened Wildlife Species

Federally, the Florida scrub-jay is protected by both the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and by the federal Endangered Species Act. In Florida, the scrub-jay is protected as a threatened species under Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rules. The primary threat to the bird is habitat destruction and fragmentation due to land development. The scrub-jay population has decreased by up to 90% in the past century due to these threats.

Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List, Section 68A-27.003, the scrub-jay, its nest, and its eggs are all protected. Due to this protection, special permits are necessary to build in a scrub-jay zone. It is necessary to obtain a Federal Incident Take Permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in order to build in an area with scrub-jays. To obtain the permit, the USFWS will analyze the land survey and building plans to determine if the scrub-jay will be impacted. If they determine that the Florida scrub-jay will be impacted, strategies for avoidance and minimization of impact will be required in order to obtain the permit. Typically, a 12-month lead time for permitting and mitigation will be necessary before clearing of the property is permitted. Additionally, due to its special habitat, Florida scrub-jays require regular prescribed burns performed by state and local officials.

Developers, builders, or landowners who develop within the protected area of a Florida scrub-jay or its nest without a permit may be in violation of the Endangered Species Act. Under the “Penalties and Enforcement” section of the Act, 16 U.S. Code § 1540, violation of the Act is  a Class “A” misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail, and/or up to a $100,000 fine for individuals or up to $200,000 for corporations. Civil penalties range up to $25,000. Additionally, violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are punishable by fines of a maximum of $5000 and or imprisoned for not more than six months for individuals, or $10,000 fine for an organization.

Avoiding Development or Property Issues Involving Florida Scrub-Jays

If you buy property that is in a scrub-jay zone, you are likely going to face a potentially costly and lengthy legal process. You will be required to get special permits from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, along with permission before any changes are made to the lot.

It is important to start this process early on, as it may take up to a year before you receive approval on your permits. It is important to thoroughly go through these steps; however, because without them you face significant fines and potential legal ramifications.

Update: Developing or Purchasing Land Inhabited by Gopher Tortoises in Florida

Wildlands Conservation is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization based out of Tampa, Florida. Their team is composed of ecologists, educators, and land managers who are focused on conserving lands for wildlife for generations to come. Their three main focuses are land management, research, and education.

As part of their mission to conserve lands, they offer Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-approved training courses that meet the requirements for the Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent permit. Their instructors are experts in gopher tortoise permitting, research, and relocation. Together, they have over 50 collective years of experience regarding gopher tortoise conservation. Their staff are also members of the Gopher Tortoise Council’s Executive Committee.

According to their website, the non-profit offers gopher tortoise permitting; surveying; mapping; capture and relocation via mechanical excavation, bucket and live trapping, and hand shovel excavation; recipient site permitting and monitoring; identification of potential recipient sites; tortoise population and vegetation monitoring; line transect distance sampling (LTDS) surveys and burrow scoping; and authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent Training Courses.

Wildlands Conservation offers these services, but they emphasize that there is no standard cost, since each project is different. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provides a Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines Guide, which outlines the duration and costs typically associated with permitting and removal.

For more information, visit their website at: www.wildlandsconservation.org.

A Piece of Advice in Dealing with Endangered Species in Land Development

There are free resources online through your county’s GIS mapping system in order to determine if the property you are considering purchasing is in a zone which may contain a protected species. You can also call your county’s Planning and Zoning Department if an online system is unavailable. The important thing to keep in mind throughout this process is to always plan ahead of time and have patience, as these permits and approval processes typically take around a year to complete. Remember, if you are ever in doubt that you are purchasing a property or planning to develop a piece of land which contains a protected species, it is advised to seek the assistance of a professional, and to request and complete a thorough survey of the area before you begin your project or purchase a property.

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A Will Can Protect

Having A Will Is The Best Decision You Can Make: Here’s Why

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Justifying Your Legacy With A Will

Here’s the truth – you have a legacy that should be protected. Unless you own absolutely nothing and have no possessions, then you have a legacy to care about. The second thought, and one that we often avoid is, “What would happen to everything you own upon your death?” We can attest to the fact that many who have gotten a will with us have all mentioned the same thing: “Why didn’t we think of this sooner?” We believe that’s because people do not fully comprehend the complexities that can occur when you die without a will.

We are the Orlando Law Group, an 11-year-old, full-service law firm located in Central Florida helping our community with all of their legal matters. In this blog, we will discuss the merits of having a complete estate plan, and how that can protect your legacy and its transference to your loved ones. No one wants to think of what would happen if they passed away, but it is necessary to make sure your possessions get passed along the way you prefer, and not caught in the convoluted purgatory of probate.

What Happens When You Die Without A Will?

Dying without a will is called dying “intestate.” If you die intestate the Florida Intestacy Statutes will determine the distribution of your assets at death. This was brought into the mainstream news when Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away in August of 2020. He, after a four-year battle with colon cancer, died without a will, with an estate at an estimated value of $938,500, according to papers filed in Los Angeles County probate court. The truth is it isn’t uncommon to die intestate. In some situations, you may be content with the plan that the lawmakers determined for you, and in other situations, you may not be so happy with it. Along with not being able to decide who gets your property after you die, there are many other pitfalls that come with dying without a will that you may not be able to foresee.

Time Consuming Constraints

While dying with a will does not mean that the distribution of your property is a quick and painless process, dying without a will is surely a long, drawn-out process. If you die without a will in Florida and probate is required, a Personal representative (commonly known as an “Executor”) must be appointed. If you were to die with a will, you would have designated a personal representative in the will. Without a will, you do not get to choose your Personal Representative. This could potentially open the door for disputes among the beneficiaries as to who should be appointed as Personal Representative. They will quiet literally be forced to guess what your wishes would have been.

Expenses Rising

When you create your will, your attorney will discuss ways to avoid probate. Although probate is not especially expensive or complicated, the fights over who will administer your estate and be in charge of distributing your assets most certainly are, not to mention the fact that they can cause permanent rifts in the family. The cost to not having a plan that comes from you can be grave, and that is where so much of the value in having an estate plan can help. It takes the pressure off of your loved ones to wonder what you would like done with everything you own. Now, instead of guessing and speculating, they can carry out your wishes to specification. For many families, it is a way to come together to make sure your will is carried out, rather than argue and battle over what they thought you would have wanted. Probate is a complicated matter, but if you would like to read more about probate, we discuss exactly that in our blog right here.

Alleviating a Stressful Situation

We at The Orlando Law Group like to look at an estate plan as a gift from you to your family. It sounds odd, and the truth is that they will not realize it’s a gift until they’ve seen what can happen without one. When you observe families that have gone to literal legal war over estates, you realize that it all could have been avoided with the power and authority coming from the deceased. They could have set the record straight on how they wanted their possessions handled, but because they did not, their family is left to try and figure everything out. Emotions become raw, and greed can get the best of even the best of us when we are emotionally vulnerable.

It does not have to be this way. For the most part, having a comprehensive estate plan and someone designated to carry it out creates peace during a time of grieving. You want your loved ones focused on remembering what a beautiful life you lived, not worried about what you would have wanted your estate plan to be. With all that we have gone through in the last year, we know first-hand how precious life is. We fully comprehend how fast a situation can change, whether that be through an unexpected diagnosis or through a freak accident. We say this to help everyone understand what we understand: that a will is not for the dying, but rather for the living.

If you have questions about anything discussed here or involving estate planning, probate, or any of your legal needs, feel free to give us a call at 407-512-4394. You will reach our Waterford Lakes office, which can connect you to any of our other numerous locations. Our attorneys have a wealth of experience when it comes to what is involved in a comprehensive estate plan, and they would be happy to answer any questions that you have. Thanks for reading, and if we could leave you with one thought it is this: “Your legacy matters, so don’t wait to take measures to protect it.”

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Individual Education Plan Enhanced: Our Top Five Tips

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If you have a child with special needs, you know that the most important thing is that they lead a happy, productive life – especially when they are at school. Individual Education Plans are developed to assist your child with specific needs they may have, but you may be asking yourself, what can you be doing during the summer to maximize the effectiveness of your child’s IEP? When it comes to making sure a student with special needs gets what they deserve to succeed, grow, and feel confident doing so, Cherice Fleming Togun takes the responsibility seriously. The IEP can ensure your child’s success in the classroom and make a huge difference in your child’s life. That is why we want to be thorough and considerate to any needs they may be having.

During this time, it can be stressful, and many points get lost in the fast-paced fun of the summer. Preparing can indeed take that stress away, and we at OLG always employ lists to keep our best tips and tricks at the top of our priorities. In this blog, we will detail some great recommendations for you to improve the effectiveness of your child’s IEP, all from Cherice, one of our excellent paralegals, and a mom with extensive experience on the matter.

Tip Number 1: Create A Bio for Your Child‘s Individualized Education Plan

Of course, you will have the legal document provided by the public school, but we think just talking about your child, their personality, likes and dislikes can really provide a lot of personality as well as provide your direct contact information. This opens the line of dialogue and helps humanize what can sometimes be reduced to a black and white document.

Sometimes, what can happen during these meetings – through no fault of anyone’s – is that, as you are dissecting the child’s needs, the details and nuance can become lost. Furthering that human connection with the teacher really creates that team mentality that betters comfortability, confidence, and an intricate understanding of that student. We recommend to include information about the child’s favorite foods, what they enjoy doing at home as well as how you like to reward them and some of their favorite interests. What is so fantastic is, as your child gets older, they can participate in this and help write their own bio, playing an active role in the team’s objective: which is to make learning fun and effective.

Tip Number 2: When Going to Meet the Teacher, Connect

Have copies of the bio available for the teachers and for the staff. Email works as well, but truly getting to know these individuals and helping them to get to know your student will make a world of a difference. In a school system, there are so many moving parts that, unfortunately, details concerning your child’s Individualized Education Plan can become lost in the processes. It is vital to, what we call, stand out amongst all of the noise that expectedly takes place, especially at the beginning of the year. Having these bios printed off will allow the staff and teachers to have the information readily available in order to focus on understanding your child and their story.  Creating an empathetic relationship where you connect with the teachers will reinforce the fact that you’re a team.

Tip Number 3: A Good Individualized Education Plan Maintains Open Lines of Communication

Effective communication solves problems. It is vital to being able to bridge the gap between home life and school life. Having documented communication can truly help as well. Do not have all your conversations via phone, only because many times certain aspects that we said can be interpreted differently. By having open email communication, you inherently will be able to tell who you talked to, what was said, and when the conversation happened. This is all extremely helpful if an issue comes up in the future. We recommend to always err on the side of, “This is what appears to be happening…” versus accusatory language. Of course, it is so easy to become fighters in this scenario because these are our babies we are talking about! We must remind ourselves we are a team consisting of the child, the parents, and the teachers/ faculty. We all must work together to build a future for this student and have that process be enjoyable.

Generally, the team is not going to want to meet until 8-9 weeks into the school year, that way they have some viable data on your child’s life at school. Get an appointment on the books as soon as possible, and if anything must change to modify that, it can.

Tip Number 4: Get any third-party evaluations if needed

If, for some reason you’re not happy with evaluation the school’s psychologist completed, or even if you have some reports that need to be updated, summer is a perfect time for that. We’ve had schools say they don’t need that much documentation, but if you’re the type of parent that likes to be more thorough than less, then you will want to have more documentation to communicate all the details necessary to make the best decisions for the child’s needs. Our children are complex puzzles, and having solid psychological and medical evaluations will help the teachers and staff to stay in-tune with what that student needs specifically. It eliminates any possible confusion or misunderstandings in the future.

Tip Number 5: Try to Keep The Meeting Light Hearted

Let’s get real: these meetings can be hard. It can feel like you are being attacked, but the truth is that to create an effective plan, we need to be decisive and work together. Keeping things light and letting others feel comfortable in your presence opens a world of possibility for everyone to work as a team. If feel you need a lawyer’s help, reach out to us directly or read out step-by-step process right here. It may sound odd, but we truly believe that first impressions set a tone that reverberates for a long time. That is why we want to be careful and really cultivate a sense of confidence, comfortability, and connectivity.  

As always, if there is a problem where you feel like you need someone to advocate on your behalf, we’re here to help you. You know your child better than anyone else, and many times it can help to get a third, objective party involved. What we recommend is being completely honest about the situation. You do have to let the school know that you will be bringing in someone to assist with a legal background. This can help to recalibrate your objectives, which should always revolve around the betterment of the child. It can truly be a beautiful thing when everyone comes together to work for your child’s best interest, and you really get to see your child blossom and perform to their fullest ability.

In conclusion, the main goal of an Individual Education Plan is to enhance your child’s potential to learn in a positive environment where they feel comfortable and confident. Many times, it takes a proactive approach on the part of everyone involved to have the IEP work effectively. If you have any questions at all, we have experienced attorneys, and we have staff that have worked hard to make their children’s, and their client’s children’s IEPs the best. We’re here to help you, and care so much about this aspect of what we do. A great Individual Education Plan can make a huge difference in your child’s daily life, so if you’re not getting the most out of your child’s IEP, we will make sure that you and your child do.

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What you need for probate

What You Need For Probate – The Process of Proving a Will

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When a loved one passes away, the grief one feels drowns out the ability to execute on the necessary actions to preserve their wishes. The legal tools by which we do so are often overlooked and misunderstood, and that is mainly due to the fact that there isn’t enough education on how to protect and pass on your assets effectively.

Probate is the process of transferring your assets into the name of the beneficiaries you wish to provide said assets to, upon your death. It also provides creditors with an opportunity to make a claim against your estate for any unpaid debts.

Assets such as a home, a vehicle, or a bank account will have to be provided in an itemized list to the Court. More often than not, someone will pass away without an Enhanced Life Estate Deed, thus eliminating the ability to pass on their home outright to their desired beneficiaries. Probate is necessary to transfer specific interests of an estate into the name of the selected beneficiaries properly.

It is also important to note that the size of the estate will determine the type of administration that will occur.

Some of the items that will be required to complete the probate process are:

1. The Original Certified Death Certificate

2. A statement reflecting that the Funeral home was paid in full

3. The Original Last Will and Testament

4. A List of creditors/ debtor’s name, the account number, and the amount due

5. List of assets including a description and their estimated value; bank account info including bank name, account number, balance; and the address of the homestead

6. The Beneficiary names, addresses, and relationship to decedent

7. Who will be Personal Representative and their address

8. If any ancillary probates have been opened in another county or state

We will then draft the initial probate documents, which include but are not limited to the following:

The Petition for administration, a notice of designation of email addresses for service of document, Oath of Personal Representative/Designation of Registered Agent and Acceptance, a proposed order admitting the will to probate which appoints the identified individual as personal representative, letters of administration, waivers of service of the notice of administration, consent to probate, and a notice to creditors, which provides them with a certain period of time in which to make a claim for any debt owed by the descendant.

If the home was/is homesteaded, we will need to draft:

  1. Petition to Determine Homestead Status
  2. Proposed Order
  3. Creditors need to be served via certified mail

If the estate requires a formal administration, we will then draft:

  1. Publication of notice to the creditors;
  2. Proof of publication;
  3. Notice to the department of revenue/department of social security with death certificate and notice to creditors;
  4. Proof of service of notice to creditors;
  5. Inventory;
  6. Affidavit of no estate tax due;
  7. Statement regarding creditors;
  8. Waiver of accounting;
  9. Petition for discharge with estate assets and plan of distribution;
  10. Order for discharge

The Importance of a Last Will and Testament

A last will and testament is essential when outlining how you would like your assets to be divided upon your passing, especially any digital assets such as photos, crypto currency, media platforms and revenue derived from such.

Take the untimely and unfortunate death of Chadwick Boseman as an example where a last will and testament was not created:

  • Chadwick Boseman, known for his roles in the “The Black Panther,” “Get on Up,” and “Marshall,” passed at the young age of 43 due to colon cancer. He died intestate, which means that he passed without leaving a Last Will and Testament behind outlining how his estate would be distributed or who would be nominated as the administrator of such.
  • His wife, Taylor Simone Ledward petitioned the court to be appointed as administrator of his estate and the distribution of assets would be subject to the intestacy laws of California, which provided for his spouse and his parents to be apportioned their interests in accordance with such.
  • In this instance, had his probate matter taken place in the state of Florida, the intestacy statute would have provided the entirety of Chadwick’s million dollar estate to his spouse, since he passed without any descendants (children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc.).
  • It is important to note that legal fees are removed from the totality of the estate, as well as costs and court fees that are incurred in furtherance of the probate matter itself.

Our Ultimate Point?

Do yourself and your loved ones the favor of planning ahead of time. The complication of, not only wondering what your wishes were, but also relying on the courts to settle the matter in probate is so much stress to put your loved ones through. Having a comprehensive estate plan does them a favor by knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt where you want your assets to go.

If a family member does pass away, with or without a will, then reach out to us. We will do our best to help you through that process so that their wishes are carried out.

So much of our objective here at The Orlando Law Group is about preventing complication before it happens. With an estate plan, you also achieve significant peace when concerned about the future, which is always, to some degree, unknown. Your legacy matters, and you deserve to have full control over it. If you have not completed a full estate plan, make sure to contact us and we would be glad to help.

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Estate Planning

How Estate Planning Protects Your Legacy

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You’re proud of the estate you’ve built up. You’re proud of the home you call your own. The treasured belongings you’ve accumulated. The cash assets that you’ve worked so hard for. The investments that you tend to daily, and the business interests that have come to define your professional life. Estate Planning matters so much to you and your legacy. Your possessions should be dealt with appropriately after you’ve passed on. But how can you do this, when you’re no longer here to distribute your assets among your nearest and dearest?

We can help you with all aspects of Estate Planning.

Estate Planning is the process of creating legally enforceable documents that determine how your assets will be distributed upon the event of your death. This includes who inherits, which assets and how they are distributed. It also determines who controls the distribution of assets once you’re gone and encompasses tax considerations that must be incorporated into these documents, to ensure that your loved ones get the best possible deal, and as little of your estate as possible is subsumed by taxes.

I’ve already made a Will, isn’t that enough?

Making a Will is extremely important to ensure that you do not die intestate — meaning that the state controls what happens to your assets after you die. Nonetheless, there’s more to proper Estate Planning than making a Will. In fact, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

If you’ve lived in the state of Florida your whole life, you’re likely aware that many people from out of state choose to move here in their later years. And it’s not just for the hot weather and the ceviche. Unlike other states, when Floridians die, their estate is very rarely subsumed by the estate. There are also no estate or inheritance taxes in the state of Florida.

Nonetheless, while living in Florida is advantageous in this regard, that doesn’t mean that your estate deserves any less than comprehensive and responsible planning.

That’s where we come in.  

As well as helping you to make a Will and nominate an executor for your estate, we can offer a range of other Estate Planning services.

These can help you to avoid disproportionate taxation, and ensure that your assets are dealt with as fairly and equitably as possible in line with your wishes. These services include…

Assigning Power of Attorney

While a Will can help you to distribute your assets after you’ve passed on, Estate Planning also means putting an infrastructure in place to protect your estate when you’re no longer able to do so yourself. Such as if you fall sick, or are diagnosed with a condition like dementia, which will affect your ability to make decisions.

When this happens, you will need to assign Power of Attorney to someone you trust. There are different kinds of Power of Attorney for different circumstances. For instance, if you know that you will be in the hospital for a limited period of time, you may wish to assign a temporary or Ordinary Power of Attorney. However, if you know that you will be unable to make decisions for the remainder of your life in the future (such as a dementia diagnosis), you will need to assign a Lasting Power of Attorney.

We can give you the support and advice you need in choosing someone to look after your estate when you will be unable to do so yourself.

If you fall ill, you may be unable to make decisions in your own best interests. However, due to the nature of patient confidentiality, your doctor may not be able to communicate directly with the person you have chosen to look after your best interests.

An advance directive is a legal document that specifies the kind of medical and personal care you would want if you should become unable to make your own decisions or communicate them to medical professionals.

Anyone over the age of 18 can be chosen to execute an advance directive, and this document is binding in the state of Florida.

Your advance directive allows you to specify:

  • Who can make and communicate decisions on your behalf.
  • Any circumstances under which you would not like your life to be prolonged.
  • Any other wishes pertaining to your medical wellbeing that you are unable to communicate or decide yourself.

It also ensures that doctors can communicate directly with the person you have chosen.

Finding the right trust for your needs

There are many different kinds of trusts, and each serves a slightly different legal purpose. Some are designed to keep assets out of the hands of creditors, while others are intended to avoid probate court and incur tax advantages.

However, legal guidance is often needed to ensure that the right trust is selected for the client’s needs and to ensure that it achieves its intended purpose in terms of Estate Planning. We can advise on choosing the right trust to suit your specific needs, goals, and circumstances.

Validating Holographic Wills in your estate plan

If you have recently moved to Florida from out of state, you may already have a Will in place. However, if this is a Holographic Will, it may not be valid in the state of Florida.

A Holographic Will is completely handwritten and signed by the testator, but unless it has been signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses (both of whom must be in the presence of the testator and each other when signing), it is not legal in Florida. Even if it is valid elsewhere. We can make the arrangements to ensure that a Holographic Will is legally valid.

Why you can trust the Orlando Law Group

We understand that the matter of Estate Planning is a delicate and somber subject. Nonetheless, you can trust in our years of experience, our diverse legal expertise, and our steadfast dedication to our clients and our community.

For over a decade, we’ve helped Floridians of all kinds including individuals, businesses, and associations manage a wide range of legal affairs.

Want to know more about how our team can service your legal needs? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. 

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martin-luther-king

Honoring Martin Luther King 2020

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Today we honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK gave society an understanding of what it is like to be unheard and treated wrongly in an unfair world. Fifty-two years later, we as a country are still fighting the wars against racism and inhuman acts. In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” dated April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr., notes, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (2). Do we not recognize injustice in society today, and if we do, why are these acts portrayed at times across our social media, as a show of contentment rather than a show of disgrace? We as individuals are what solidifies us as a nation. Our arms stretch long in unity, but our prides measure shortness. We still fail and fall short of standing up for what is just and at times sit down for what is unjust.  

We live in a free society, but when outside individuals try to obtain that same freedom, we fail to provide what our Constitution prevails and as MLK stated, “Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere in this country” (2). However, not only are the outsiders treated morally wrong, but the insiders of this country as well. 

At times laws can become ambiguous, and as individuals we cannot tell the difference between just and unjust laws: 

There are just and there are unjust laws. I would agree with  

Saint Augustine that ‘An unjust law is no law at all.’ Now  

What is the difference between the two? How does one determine 

When a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code  

That squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust  

Law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put 

It in the terms of Saint Thomas Aquinas, an unjust law is a  

Human law that is not rooted in external and natural law. Any  

Law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that  

Degrades human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes 

Are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages 

The personality. It gives the segregator a false sense of 

superiority, and the segregated a false sense of inferiority.

 (qtd. in Letter from a Birmingham Jail 7) 

So, the question posed to you on this day, as we honor MLK is what do you stand for and/or what will you stand up for? Will you stand up against the child that is being bullied by his/her classmates, or the man, woman, and/or child, who is being crucified for their appearance, color, sexual preference, or religious views? 

Being quite is never enough to obtain unity and peace for the future.  

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute. Stanford U, 9 Jan. 2020, www.kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/letter-birmingham-jail. Accessed 9 January 2020. 

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New FREC Team Advertising Rules; What you need to know.

Best of the Blog 2019

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We love providing you with valuable legal information through the articles in our blog. In 2019 we spent time focusing on the diverse array of legal practice areas we service. 

New FREC Team Advertising Rules; What you need to know.

This year, we explored topics ranging from long-standing fields like “personal injury” to relatively new focus areas like “student loan law.” We covered important issues like legalized marijuana, child custody, bullying, mortgages, Uber accidents, and more.

With every article, we keep an eye on readership. We want to know what posts resonate with our audience so we can always be improving. 

Based on user engagement, we’d like to share with you the most popular posts from 2019.

What you can do if you think your judge is biased. 

When you go to court, you can expect that the judge that is hearing your case is impartial and will fairly treat both sides. While having an unbiased judge is almost exclusively the case, there could be a time where you believe your judge is biased. Read more.

What you need to know about the Lady Bird Deed benefits 

What is a Lady Bird Deed, and why is it beneficial? Florida is one of only a handful of states that recognize a Lady Bird Deed. A person who creates a Lady Bird Deed, also known as an Enhanced Life Estate Deed, transfers property to himself for his lifetime. Learn more.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan Eligibility in Florida 

Depending upon your child’s needs, obtaining the initial Individualized Education Plan or sometimes known as an Individualized education program (IEP) may be a simple process or a little more challenging, depending on specific conditions. Read more.

How to Postpone or Reduce Student Loan Payments 

The Student Debt Crisis in Numbers There are various reasons which prevent people from being able to make their student loan payments. As of 2019, Americans collectively owe over $1.56 Trillion in student loan debt. This is spread out by nearly 45 million individuals who are paying back their student loans. Read the full article.

The Effects of Bullying – What You Need to Know 

An unfortunate condition in our society is that bullying happens. It happens every day, and the target of the bully are often people who would have never guessed they’d be bullied. The bullies are everywhere; they are children and adults, men, and women. It’s a pervasive aspect of the world in which we live. Read more.

Looking ahead

As we welcome 2020, we’d love to hear from you about topics you’d like us to cover in our blog. Drop us an email with your ideas, and we’ll explore how we can write meaningful and educational content. 

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time-sharing schedule problems

What Happens If A Parent Refuses To Honor The Time-Sharing Schedule Set Out By The Court?

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In Florida, courts adhere to public policy when shaping a time-sharing schedule. This policy states that each minor child should have frequent and continuing contact with both parents during a separation and after a marriage is dissolved. The court adheres to the notion that parental responsibility is shared by both parents unless the court finds that it would be detrimental to the child.

It is important to note that divorce often results in a rollercoaster of emotions and situations may arise that lead to conflict between parents. If such distress leads one parent to begin restricting or altering the time-sharing of the other, Florida Statute 61.13(4)(c) states that the Court may:

1. Reimburse the denied-parent, as soon as possible, for the time-sharing missed. This is done at the convenience of the denied-parent and at the expense of the noncompliant parent; or

2. Order the noncompliant parent to pay reasonable court costs and attorney’s fees to the denied parent for the expenses incurred from bringing an action to enforce the time-sharing schedule; or

3. Order the noncompliant parent to attend a parenting course; or

4. Order the noncompliant parent to perform community service; or

5. Order the noncompliant parent to have the financial burden of promoting continuous contact, if the child resides more than 60 miles away from the compliant parent; or

6. Modify the parenting plan if it is in the best interest of the child; or

7. Impose any other reasonable sanction as a result of the parent’s noncompliance.

In addition to the possibilities listed above, if a parent refuses to honor the time-sharing schedule, they may be punished by contempt of court or another remedy that the is deemed appropriate. A contempt order may be criminal or civil. The determination of which type of contempt applies depends on the action of the party. Criminal contempt is often used to punish a party whose conduct rises to the level of embarrassing, hindering, or obstructing the administration of justice. Civil contempt is often used to persuade a party to comply with a court order after they have already failed to abide by it. To avoid being held in contempt, the parties must follow the time-sharing schedule set out by the court or properly modify it.

HOW DO YOU PROPERLY MODIFY A TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE?

Florida Statute 61.13 states that in order to modify a time-sharing schedule, a two-prong standard must be satisfied: (1) that there be a showing of substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances; and (2) a determination that the modification is in “the best interests of the child.” In order to allow for a modification of the time-sharing schedule, the change in circumstances must be significant and involuntary. Additionally, as discussed in previous blogs regarding time-sharing, the “best interest of the child” is the primary standard that the court adheres to when constructing a time-sharing schedule for a minor child and his/her parents. There are numerous factors that must be considered when determining what is best for the child, some of which are:

· The ability of each parent to determine, consider, and act upon the needs of the child as opposed to the needs or desires of the parent;

· The length of time the child has lived in a stable environment; and

· The moral fitness of the parents;

Therefore, if a party meets its burden of proving that there is a substantial change in circumstances and the modification is in the best interest of the child, the court may allow for the time-sharing schedule to be altered.

It is important to remember that the focus of both parents must remain on the well-being of the minor child/children, particularly in developing a safe and healthy environment for them. Additionally, if a time-sharing schedule is modified, then child-support payments may need to be adjusted as well. If you are planning on obtaining a divorce or modifying a time-sharing schedule, it is imperative that you understand the process, as well as the rules that the court must adhere to.

The attorneys at The Orlando Law Group are equipped with the knowledge and experience to assist you with such a process. Call 407.512.4394 to schedule a consultation today.

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Divorce Child Custody

How Do Courts Calculate Time Sharing in Divorce Child Custody

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Divorce can be an overwhelming process, especially if a parent doesn’t understand the reasoning and methodology behind the court’s decisions. One decision that many people must deal with is the courts’ decision on the custody arrangement.

When the amount of time you spend with your child is at issue, it often helps to understand the rules that the court must abide by when constructing a time-sharing schedule. In Florida, courts adhere to Florida Statute 61.13, which may be a little overwhelming to read at first glance. This is why the professionals who focus on family law with The Orlando Law Group are here to help. 

Florida Statute 61.046(23) defines time-sharing as a timetable that must be included in the parenting plan that specifies the amount of time that a minor child will spend with each parent, which includes overnights and holidays. A time-sharing schedule can either be 1) developed and agreed upon by the parents, then approved by the court; or 2) established by the court, if the parents can’t agree or if the time-sharing schedule they have already developed is not approved. 

61.13 (2)(c) further states that the court must make a decision regarding a minor child’s time-sharing based on the best interest of the child and in accordance with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. This means that the court takes into account all factors that affect the welfare and interest of the minor child, as well as the circumstances of the family. For example, some of the factors that the court looks to when determining the best interest of the child are: 

a. The capacity of each parent to encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship, to honor the time-sharing schedule, and to be reasonable when changes are required; 

b. The ability of each parent to determine, consider, and act upon the needs of the child as opposed to the needs or desires of the parent; 

c. The length of time the child has lived in a stable environment; 

d. The moral fitness of the parents; 

e. The mental and physical health of the parents; 

f. The home, school, and community record of the child; 

g. The reasonable preference of the child; 

h. The knowledge, capacity, and disposition of each parent to be informed of circumstances that involve the child; 

i. The ability of each parent to provide a routine for the child, such as discipline and daily schedules for homework, dinner, or bedtime; 

j. The capacity of each parent to communicate with and keep the other parent informed of issues and activities involving the child; 

k. Evidence of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect; 

l. Evidence that either parent knowingly provided false information to the court regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect; 

m. The ability of each parent to participate and be involved with the child’s school and extracurricular activities; 

n. The ability of each parent to maintain an environment free from substance abuse; 

o. The ability of each parent to protect the child from ongoing litigation, which includes: no talking about the litigation, no sharing documents with the child, and refraining from speaking badly about the other parent; 

p. And any other factor that is relevant to the determination of time-sharing. 

In addition to the best interest of the child, the court makes its decision in accordance with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, or otherwise known as the “UCCJEA”. The purpose of the UCCJEA is to avoid competition and conflict between courts of another state, where matters of custody may have been previously handled.

The UCCJEA Affidavit requires the parent to fill out the child’s name, place of birth, birth date, sex, present address, the period of residence, and places where the child has lived within the past 5 years. It also requires the name, present address, and the relationship to the child for each person with whom the child has lived during that 5-year period. 

Statute 61.13 further states that it is the public policy of the state that each minor has frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the parents separate or after the marriage is officially dissolved. It encourages both parents to share the rights and responsibilities that come with raising their child. It also emphasizes that there is no presumption against the father or mother of the child regarding their time-sharing, which essentially means that there is no predetermination made by the court regarding which parent the child will spend more time with. After the court weighs all of the factors outlined above, it will make its determination based on whatever time-sharing schedule is best suited for the child’s individual needs. 

If you are currently struggling with determining a suitable time-sharing schedule in a divorce child custody situation, finding an attorney who can effectively help you during its construction is vital. The attorneys at The Orlando Law Group are ready, willing, and able to assist you with such a process. We have countless hours of experience in family court helping our clients navigate divorce cases and understand the type of custody that has been arranged.

Call 407.512.4394 to schedule a consultation today.

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Florida Medical Marijuana

Florida Medical Marijuana – What employers need to know.

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Regarding the Florida Medical Marijuana Law, what defines “marijuana?”

“Marijuana” means all parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant or its seeds or resin, including low-THC cannabis which are dispensed from a medical marijuana treatment center for medical use by a qualified patient.” Florida Statute § 381.986 

The vote for the use of medical cannabis in Florida.

In 2016 Florida citizens voted for a constitutional amendment permitting individuals to use cannabis for medicinal purposes. The bill passed with tremendous support garnering 72% of the votes, in the state known for its narrow margins and hotly contested elections.

While Medical Marijuana may have passed in Florida, Federal Law, as well as Florida law, does not prevent Florida employers from punishing employees for failing a drug test. Despite its landslide victory, the herbal medicine still faces controversy and must overcome ambiguity before it can be used freely by the constituents who voted for it. 

Florida Statute §381.986, in great detail, covers the use and restrictions of Medical Marijuana in Florida. This statute reads, in part: 

(1) (j) “Medical use” means the acquisition, possession, use, delivery, transfer, or administration of marijuana authorized by a physician certification. The term does not include use or administration of marijuana in the following locations: 

a. On any form of public transportation, except for low-THC cannabis. 

b. In any public place, except for low-THC cannabis. 

c. In a qualified patient’s place of employment, except when permitted by his or her employer. d. In a state correctional institution, as defined in s. 944.02, or a correctional institution, as defined in s. 944.241. 

e. On the grounds of a preschool, primary school, or secondary school, except as provided in s.1006.062. 

f. In a school bus, a vehicle, an aircraft, or a motorboat, except for low-THC cannabis. 

(15) APPLICABILITY.—This section does not limit the ability of an employer to establish, continue, or enforce a drug-free workplace program or policy. This section does not require an employer to accommodate the medical use of marijuana in any workplace or any employee working while under the influence of marijuana. This section does not create a cause of action against an employer for wrongful discharge or discrimination. 

Florida employers are not required to accommodate.

The excerpt above sparked major controversy and was unbeknown to most voters until after the law went into effect. Although the usage of Medical Marijuana is legal for those people who qualify, the law is clear that an employer is not required to accommodate an employee’s medical use of marijuana. This differs from other laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Family Medical Leave Act, where the federal government has mandated that employers follow certain protocols when dealing with these classes of people. 

Florida employers do not have to accommodate to the fact that you are legally allowed to use marijuana, nor are they required to allow you to use marijuana at their business location. An employer can terminate an employee for the use of legal medical marijuana, and this termination does not create a basis for legal action for wrongful termination.

Marijuana can stay in a person’s system for up to multiple weeks, ensuring that employees subjected to drug test must refrain from the substance for indefinite amounts of time. A person with a marijuana card, depending on the rules of their employer, would not even be able to administer the medicine (smoking medical marijuana, for example) outside of work because they would run the risk of failing a drug test. 

Incentives for employers

Under the laws as they currently stand, Florida actually provides incentives for employers NOT TO allow the usage of medical marijuana in their workplaces. In 1990 the Florida Legislature enacted a State law titled “Florida Drug-Free Workplace” F.S 112.0455. This law provided specific requirements which an employer must comply with to be certified as a Florida Drug-Free Workplace. The law also provided incentives and benefits for employers who are certified as a Florida Drug-Free Workplace. The State of Florida, through this law, encourages employers to drug test employees and promotes a Drug-Free Workplace environment. In Florida, companies get reduced rates on various insurances if they implement drug-free workplace policies. 

Could the Florida medical cannabis pave the way for recreational use of weed?

Florida is also slowly moving toward recreational marijuana, with at least one bill being proposed in 2019 before dying in committee. Proponents of recreational marijuana are citing states like Colorado who have generated billions since approving of recreational use. Florida is already a tourist destination and could easily capitalize on the recreational marijuana industry. With the passage of medical marijuana and the lag time in the laws of Florida to catch up with these medical innovations, it makes you wonder whether recreational marijuana will be vertically integrated and structured the same way. The “drug” may become legal for recreational use, but under Florida Law, you could still be terminated from your place of employment. 

There have been no successful legal challenges in Florida regarding medicinal marijuana in the workplace. Of course, this amendment is relatively new and the possibility remains that the courts could decide in favor of employees – especially as the opioid epidemic worsens and more and more states are looking to medical marijuana as a better alternative to chronic pain relief. Until that time, the statute is clear that marijuana use, medical or otherwise, is not permitted under the Florida Drug-Free Workplace rules.

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#focusondrivingfl texting while driving

#FocusOnDrivingFL – What you need to know about the texting while driving in Florida

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Texting and driving can be a dangerous combination. In a 2014 report, the US Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration studied data from 2012. The data revealed that distracted driving was associated with 3300 deaths and 421,000 injuries in collisions in the US; much of the evidence in these cases suggests that smartphone use continues to be a substantial contributor to these incidences.

Further, AAA recently conducted a study that revealed 78% of Americans suggest that texting while driving is a “significant danger.” The study also cited that 35% of the respondents admitted to texting while driving.

Starting July 1, 2019, texting while driving has been defined as a primary offense in the state of Florida. Many people don’t realize that texting and driving was illegal before the July change. The difference is that previously, a law enforcement officer had to witness you violating another law to be able to pull you over for texting while driving.

In early 2019, the Florida government voted to change that.

With the July 1 change and texting while driving becoming a primary offense, authorities can pull you over if they see you typing on your phone or other hand-held devices.

Here are some of the top questions we have been asked about the new law.

Someone told me that if I am stopped for texting while driving, a police officer can ask to see my phone to verify that I was texting. Is this true?

This is actually true; officers are allowed to ask to see the phone of the driver who was pulled over for texting while driving, with one caveat. While the responding officer can ask to see your phone, they must tell you that you have the right to decline the request.

The original law making texting and driving a secondary offense started in 2013. Since then, officers have received training to be able to identify drivers who are texting. If you are stopped, it is because an officer believes you were texting while driving based on your behaviors.

How do things change after July 1?

Florida statute 316.305 — which is known as the Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law, officially changes the law against using a mobile phone or hand-held device from a secondary offense to a primary offense. Beginning on July 1, law enforcement officers can pull over drivers for using a wireless device while operating a vehicle.

And there’s more. There’s also a part of the law about school zones and construction sites with active workers. This part of the law states that starting October 1, 2019, phones or hand-held devices can only be used in a “hands-free” manner while in use in a school zone, school crossing area, or construction area with active workers.

What happens if I get pulled over for texting while driving after July 1, 2019?

The answer to this question is “it depends.” Depending on the law enforcement agency that has stopped you, the outcome might vary.

The Florida Highway Patrol has released a statement suggesting that they will be issuing warnings until January 1, 2020. They are considering the time between now and then to be an “educational period.” Meanwhile, in Volusia and Orange Counties, the Sheriff’s Offices have stated that will begin ticketing offenders immediately.

Our suggestion is to simply obey the law, regardless of where you happen to be driving.

Can I still text while stopped at a red light?

The law does not specifically state that you cannot check your phone while parked on the side of the road or at a red light; it is not advised. Ultimately, when you are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, your attention should be on your surroundings and making sure you and those around you are safe.

Can I be exempt from the texting while driving law?

There are a few instances where you might be exempt from this law. These include if you are reporting an emergency or criminal activity to law enforcement, if you are operating an autonomous vehicle in autonomous mode, or if you are receiving messages that are related to the operation or navigation of the vehicle. You could also be exempt if you are using the device for system or navigation purposes.

These are certainly not “get out of jail free” cards, so be smart with how you use technology and put safety first always.

Under the new law, can I legally press a button on my phone to answer a call?

Outside of a school or work zone, according to the law, you are allowed to activate, deactivate, or initiate a feature or function on your phone, as long as it doesn’t require multiple key presses.

In a school or work zone, the law suggests that you can use only hands-free features to activate, deactivate, or initiate a feature or function on the phone. So, using Siri on an iPhone or “Ok Google” on an Andriod phone is permitted.

Focus on Driving Campaign

While there are groups who worked to prevent this law, it’s essential to consider that the spirit of the law is to keep people safe. These include the driver, the car’s occupants, other drivers, and pedestrians.

The State has created a “Put It Down” campaign to bring awareness to the new law. You can follow hashtags #PutItDown and #FocusOnDrivingFL for more information.

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New FREC Team Advertising Rules; What you need to know.

New FREC Team Advertising Rules; What you need to know.

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Jarrod Ethridge on the PACE Program in FloridaBy Attorney Jarrod Etheridge

The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) has published the final version of Rule 61J2-10.026, which governs group or team advertising. This new FREC Team Advertising Rules impact office procedures and team advertising.

New FREC Team Advertising Rules go into effect July 1, 2019

Effective July 1, 2019, this rule is set to create some serious changes in the real estate industry. The reasoning behind the rule is that FREC was receiving complaints from the general public who were often being confused or misled as to who, or what they were dealing with during a real estate deal.

Group/Team names were often being mistaken to be the name of the real estate brokerage, and clients were often unable to determine whether they were dealing with an agent, a broker or brokerage. Under Florida law, only a broker is allowed to use a fictitious name. For example, Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, Tavistock, etc. A sales or broker associate operating under a Florida entity is required to name the entity after themselves. By creating team names including certain words, FREC believes realtors are crossing this line. 

What are some of the words no longer allowed in real estate team names?

Under the new rule, FREC has released an extensive non-exhaustive list of words that are no longer allowed to be included in team names. Whereas realtor teams are allowed to use the words “team” or “group,” almost every real estate team in existence uses one of the now prohibited words: (a) Agency (b) Associates (c) Brokerage (d) Brokers (e) Company (f) Corporation (g) Corp. (h) Inc. (i) LLC (j) LP, LLP or Partnership (k) Properties (l) Property (m) Real Estate (n) Realty (o) Or similar words suggesting the team or group is a separate real estate brokerage or company. 

If your team name still meets the above, you are not out of the woods yet. The new rule also provides that on any advertisements containing the team name of any form, registered brokers must maintain a design where “the name of the team shall not appear in larger print than the name or logo of the registered brokerage.

All advertisements must be designed in a manner in which reasonable persons would know they are dealing with a team or group.” Check your business cards, website, mailers, etc., if your team or group advertising contains a name that is in a bigger font than the name OR logo of your brokerage, you are out of compliance with the new rules.

This is certainly a good time to be in the business of promotional items because almost every real estate agent in Orlando is going to be scrambling to get new business cards and other promotional items.

Do the new FREC Team Advertising Rules affect teams made up of agents from multiple brokerages?

For those very few teams whose names are still valid, the rule also adds a component requiring all real estate teams to be comprised of members of the same brokerage or under the supervision of the same broker. FREC is no longer going to allow agents from multiple brokerages to act under a single team. 

What to do right now…

The Orlando Law Group is here to help if you need someone to review your current advertising schemes to make sure you are in compliance with the new rules. Judging by the drastic changes pushed forward with this rule, we do not recommend continuing to use any advertisements that are out of compliance starting July 1, 2019.

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U.S. Work Visas

An Overview of U.S. Work Visas for Foreign Workers

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Immigration for Foreign Workers Coming to the US

Global marketing is no longer reserved for brands with deep pockets. Many Foreign businesses are expanding into international markets, and all of them eventually find themselves at the doorsteps of the United States, the world’s largest market. With this comes the relocation of employees, and the process of obtaining work permits suitable for those individuals to become employed in the United States.

This article will go into detail about the various visas and how to determine which are best suited for foreign employees who wish to emigrate from their home countries to work in the United States.  

E-2 Visa 

To obtain an E-2 visa for a temporary worker, a foreign national must be from an E-2 treaty country. However, one does not need to reside in an E-2 treaty country to qualify, many Brazilians fall under this exception.  Brazil is not a treaty country; but many Brazilians retain Italian citizenship since Italy is a treaty country, they too become eligible for an E-2 visa. The foreign investor must also own at least 51% of the company for it to qualify as an E-2 entity.

If this criterion is met, the applicant may go ahead and submit their application to their nearest U.S. Embassy. The applicant will then go through a visa interview and screening process to obtain a visa valid for five years.

Each E-2 temporary work visa holders may stay for a maximum of two years from the date of entry, leaving before that expiration. The spouse and children of an E-2 Visa Holder can obtain work authorization while in the United States. It is important to note that E-2 Visa Holder’s children who are 21 years of age and younger can attend school but cannot work.

L-1A Visa 

The L-1A visa is for managers, executives, or specialists of a foreign company who are being transferred to their company’s U.S. offices. The regulations for the L-1A visa states that applicants must within three years preceding the time of their application been employed continuously for more than a year by a qualifying entity.

The applicants must seek to enter the United States temporarily in order to render his or her services to a branch of the same employer parent affiliate or subsidiary of the qualifying entity. 

If a company is established in both countries, the L-1 can be valid for three years. If a foreign entity is forming a new company in the U.S., the applicant can receive a one-year visa and renew in increments of three years, until the employee has reached the maximum of seven years.

The spouse of an L-1 Visa Holder can obtain employment authorization while in the United States. Children (21 years and younger) can attend school but cannot work. The main concern with L-1’s is that they do not readily apply to small businesses.

H-1B Visa for Employee with a Specialty Occupation

When applying for the H1-B visa, the job must be classified within a DOL (Department of Labor) code in order to know what general job duties will be as well as determine what the prevailing wage will be. An Example of a position would be an Agricultural and Food Scientist (19-1012.00). This is an appropriate example as it requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.

For employees requesting H-1B status for the first time, please keep in mind a few things. The effective date for the H-1B is October 1 of each year, which is the government’s fiscal year start date. The applicant cannot file a visa application until April 1st of each year. Preliminary work takes a minimum of one and a half months to complete, so it’s imperative that they give enough time before that filing date to do the required. 

PERM / Green Card

There are three steps to undertake for permanent residence based on employment.

1.    The first step is to file an application for labor certification under the PERM provisions.

2.    The second step is to apply for the immigrant visa petition. Once this is approved, the process can move forward with the petition to classify the beneficiary as an immigrant worker professional. 

3.    The final step is an application for permanent residence or consular processing. 

The employer is legally required to pay for all fees and costs associated with the PERM process during the initial step. The second and third steps can be paid by either by the employer, the employee, or both.

It is important to note that candidate eligible for an H-1B may not necessarily qualify for permanent residence. One does not have to be in H-1B or have an educational degree to qualify for the PERM process.

Unless the employer can demonstrate that it cannot find a suitable US worker qualified and willing to fill the position, the labor certification application will not be approved. If this occurs, the employer can begin to advertise the position and hope that the attempt will not bring forth any willing and qualified U.S. workers applying for the position.  

Planning ahead for your employees and their families who might also want to come to the US and become citizens makes all the difference.  If you require assistance when the time comes to apply for a visa consult a professional who specializes in citizenship and immigration services and can expedite the process and prepare you for any bumps in the road.

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Individualized Education Plan

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan Eligibility in Florida

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Depending upon your child’s needs, obtaining the initial Individualized Education Plan or sometimes known as an Individualized education program (IEP) may be a simple process or a little more challenging, depending on specific conditions. Regardless, the first step is to begin gathering medical records and samples of your child’s work, which may include tests, graded homework, and notes of your observations.

Once you have collected the records and samples, contact school personnel to request a formal evaluation from your child’s public school. The Individual with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, applies to educational institutions that received funding from federal sources which include most public schools.

Make sure your request is in writing and include all the relevant demographic information in addition to your concerns and corresponding documentation to support your concerns. If the school district agrees to evaluation and your child is found to have one or more of the 13 disabilities listed in IDEA and needs special education services or accommodations, (s)he will qualify for an IEP.

Within thirty calendar days after a child is determined eligible, a team of school professionals and the parents must participate in an IEP meeting to write an IEP for the child. The team members might meet in the school’s resource room or other appropriate location. The IEP might evaluate the levels of educational performance, set annual goals, and forecast transition services for the future of the child.

Parental consent for Individualized Education Plan implementation

Before the school system may provide special education and related services to the child for the first time, the parents must give consent. The child begins to receive services as soon as possible after the IEP is developed and this consent is given. 

If the school district denies your request, they must send you a “prior written notice” containing action proposed or refused by the district, explanation of the decision, description of other options and resources for you to better understand your rights under IDEA. At any point, but especially at this juncture, you may have your child evaluated privately.

Most likely, you will have to pay for this private evaluation. The school district may also opt to continue targeted interventions through “response to intervention.” It is important to note that a child does have to have a particular diagnosis to be eligible for services, or in the alternative, more than one disability and/or diagnosis can be documented in a child’s IEP. 

If the parents do not agree with the IEP, its goals, and placement, they may discuss their concerns with other members of the IEP team and try to work out an agreement. If the team still cannot come to an agreement, parents may request mediation, or the school may offer mediation.

Parents may file a state complaint with the state education agency or a due process complaint, which is the first step in requesting a due process hearing, at which time mediation must be available. 

Not all students are eligible

Not all students will be eligible for exceptional student education (ESE) services under IDEA. Similar to the IEP eligibility process, parents and or school staff members may raise concerns about the child’s strengths and performance at school and the team will consider whether the child has a disability that requires accommodations via a Section 504 plan in the school setting.

Section 504 is part of a federal civil rights law known as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which specifically prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities and guarantees them a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

As defined in Section 504, discrimination is the failure to provide students with disabilities the same opportunity to benefit from education programs, services, or activities as provided to their nondisabled peers. Therefore, schools cannot exclude students with disabilities from facilities, programs, benefits, activities, or services that are provided to students without disabilities. Schools must make sure that all students receive equal access to educational opportunities. 

A Section 504 plan details the accommodations that the school should provide to support your child’s education. While Section 504 does not require a written plan, it does require documentation of evaluations and accommodations and you must ensure the team writes a plan to provide clarity and direction to the individuals delivering services or making accommodations.

Similar to the IEP process, annual reviews are highly recommended and Section 504 accommodation plans may be updated at any time to reflect changes and recommendations by the team. 

Parents are the most important advocates for Individualized Education Plans

As the parent, you are one of the most important members of your child’s team at school and if you believe or know your child has special needs and is having problems in school, the team should be contacted to discuss these concerns. Building a strong parent/school relationship begins with effective communication and clearly set goals and objectives.

Document all communication with school staff, preferably via email and most importantly follow-up on all action plans to ensure accommodations listed in your child’s Individualized Education Plan or Section 504 plan are being effectively implemented.

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Law Day 2019

Law Day 2019 – Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society

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Each year, on May 1, we celebrate Law Day. This is a national day that was established to celebrate the rule of law. On Law Day, we seek to better understand how our liberty is protected through the legal process and the practice of law. Also on Law Day, we explore how the American society works to achieve justice and builds the freedoms that every American shares.

Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society

Law Day is always accompanied by a theme. The theme for Law Day 2019 is Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society. This year we reflect on the many ways the laws established by our government protect our freedom and ensure these rights. The protection of free speech and free press work to guarantee our Constitutional freedom of “the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.”

The foundation of a free society anywhere in the world is based upon the freedom of speech and the press. In the practice of law, free speech and free press are common topics found in proceedings and litigation. It is unthinkable to conceive of a free society without the pillars of free speech and free press, but as a society witnessing the most rapid changes in the way we communicate, these liberties are often challenged and debated. The boundaries of free speech and free press are much less precise than just a decade ago because the technology of communication has reshaped how these individual liberties affect the daily lives of the people in our society.

The blurring of free speech

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the freeexercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” 

That passage is, for the most part, the entirety of the First Amendment of the Constitution. It is straightforward and, at the same time, comprehensive. It’s also commonly misunderstood. 

Most people understand that there are cases where someone’s words could put others in danger, the often used “you cannot yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater,” comes to mind. In the age of the internet, we are presented with new challenges. 

What happens when your Facebook account is temporarily disabled because of something you posted. You’ve been put in “Facebook Jail,” but is this a violation of free speech or free press?

The short answer is, no. It’s not a violation. The First Amendment protects you from the government censoring or punishing you because of your speech. The First Amendment does not protect you from censorship by private organizations. So when you do find your social media account in Facebook Jail because of something you posted that you believed fell under free speech, there’s not a lot you can do but wait for your account to be freed up again.  

Now that you understand that your protection from the Facebook censors does not exist, you’ll think twice before you post what might be considered “hate speech” in the comments of someone else’s post. 

But what about a case where the online world and the real world intersect. Does the First Amendment’s protection of free speech cover you if you are fired from your job because of something you posted online? This is a complex question that could have a variety of answers. Put simply, if you work for a private company, it is unlikely that you will be protected. Now, this does not mean that a private company can do whatever they want. Depending on the situation and what was said online, the firing could violate laws prohibiting discrimination,contract laws or privacy laws. Things get increasingly complicated if you work for a government organization. 

For local, state, and federal government employees, social media posts should not interfere with the employee’s ability to do their job. This becomes a delicate balancing act for those charged with regulating social media activity of government employees. 

Another hot topic since the rise of social media is on line reviews.  Many businesses become victims of false reviews from competitors or people who just like leaving bad reviews without even being customers. Social media platforms are struggling with how to balance the free speech rights of users to make comments and businesses which are attempting to protect their reputations.  More case law will be developed in this area over the coming years.  On-line bullying on a personal level will also be discussed by the Courts as it is a growing concern especially with educators and parents.

The blurring of the freedom of the press

Some might argue that the press has less freedom today than at any time in history. Being a journalist, whether for a media outlet or on the internet, has become a dangerous profession. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, between 2002 and 2012, five hundred and six journalists were killed globally. Now, this certainly goes beyond the freedom of the press protected by the US First Amendment, but it does highlight a form of censorship, namely fear of reporting, that evades the traditional protection of liberties that our Constitution provides.

Additionally, we hear more and more about “fake news” and its introduction into the American and global conversation. The term “fake news”, which gained popularity in 2017, is the creation of misleading information, hoaxes, or other untrue news stories that are specifically written to deceive the reader into believing they are true. 

Fake news exists at all levels of journalism and has little barrier to entry. Anyone with an internet connection can create a false story and spread it around social channels hoping it will catch a viral wave and spread to thousands of users. 

At the highest levels of the press, fake news takes the shape of inaccuracies in reporting, intentional or not. These untruths can be subtle in their presentation but can have a dramatic impact on the perception of the news-consuming public. Sometimes, fake news is so convincing that national networks will pick up a story and report it as true. 

Fake news can easily spread due to the availability and speed of communication and social channels.

The introduction of fake news into the contemporary dialog blurs the effectiveness of the protection of the free press. At a deeper level, it causes the news-consuming public to be less trustworthy of any media outlet.

Reflecting on Law Day 2019, are we still a free society?

As we participate in Law Day 2019 and spend time considering how the protection of freespeech and a free press has changed so dramatically since their origin, we have to wonder if society is a free as it once was which is ironic with all of the available ways to spread information.  The short answer is yes because of the protections granted to us by the Constitution and the First Amendment. 

However, we live in a time of hyper-change. Day to day information is transmitted faster and with higher levels of convenience. It is natural that the protection of our liberties will need to evolve with these changes. It is up to everyone to help make sure that happens through public service and facilitating awareness. We can all play a part. 

While you might not be planning a “Law Day Party,” everyone at the Orlando Law Group hopes that you’ll join us in considering how important the rule of law is in maintaining our freedom. Happy Law Day 2019!

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gopher tortoise

The Florida Gopher Tortoise – A Slow Set-Back to Development

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Jarrod Ethridge on the PACE Program in FloridaBy Jarrod Etheridge

When purchasing a piece of property, it is important to consider a variety of factors, including the animals, like the gopher tortoise, that inhabit the landscape. If any endangered or threatened species reside on that property, be prepared for a long and potentially expensive process. This includes the gopher tortoise, who are commonly known for digging burrows in their home range in Florida, Georgia, and other southern states.

What is a gopher tortoise?

The gopher tortoise is a large terrestrial reptile that has front legs perfectly suited for burrowing. The rear feet of the gopher tortoise are often referred to as “elephantine” because of their size and shape.

The front legs are protected from sharp rocks while burrowing by a layer of scales. the scales are usually dark brown, gray, or black in color. They also have a yellow lower shell. You can easily distinguish a male or female gopher tortoise. Male gopher tortoises having concave lower shells, while females’ lower shells are more are flat in appearance.

Gopher tortoise habitats

Gopher tortoises occupy various habitats throughout Florida. They use their front legs to dig burrows many feet deep for shelter and forage on low-growing plants. You may have seen them in a patch of woods or walking down the road. 

Gopher tortoises share their burrows with more than 350 other species. They are referred to as a keystone species because of the Florida natural ecosystem’s reliance on the burrows.

A threatened wildlife species

In Florida, the gopher tortoise is listed as a Threatened Wildlife Species by the states fish and wildlife conservation commission. Both the tortoise and its burrow are protected by state law. Gopher tortoises must be relocated before any land clearing or development takes place within twenty-five feet of either a gopher tortoise or a gopher tortoise burrow. Property owners must obtain permits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) before capturing and relocating tortoises. 

Developers, builders or landowners who develop within the protected area of a gopher tortoise or its burrow commit a crime under Florida law. It is a level four violation, as defined in §379.401(4)(b) is a felony of the third degree which if convicted could result in (1) a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years, (Florida Statute § 775.082) and/or (2) a fine of $5,000 (Florida Statute § 775.083). 

If you buy a piece of property that has an existing gopher tortoise habitat or gopher tortoise burrows, you might have some work to do. The prohibitions related to gopher tortoise burrows will not be applied if you can demonstrate that those burrows are no longer used by gopher tortoises. To prove this, at your expense, a gopher tortoise survey will have to be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the FWC.

Most activities associated with residential lawn and landscape maintenance do not require a permit provided the activities must not collapse gopher tortoise burrows, cause habitat loss, or harm gopher tortoises. Prescribed burning requirements vary from county to county and should be explored before burning near a gopher tortoise habitat.

Even if the collapse of the burrow’s sandy soils is accidental, the landowner could be held criminally or civilly liable for disrupting the tortoises. This is more likely if the person knew that their actions could harm the tortoises.  It’s advisable to check with the fish and wildlife service professionals if you have any concerns.

Getting help developing land with gopher tortoises in Florida

P.A.W.S. (Peoples Alliance for Wildlife Survival) is a non-profit organization that helps landowners with the development of land containing Gopher Tortoise burrows. The organization’s primary concern is for the welfare of the animal during the stressful relocation process. According to its website, the organization can provide four options to help homeowners:

Option 1: Develop the property while staying at least twenty-five feet away from the Gopher Tortoises. This is advertised as the least expensive and most favorable open for both the landowner and the tortoise. The organization will help study mark the areas to avoid developing, and they suggest placing signs up that notify the public of the existence of the tortoises.  

The cost for this service is around $100.00 through this non-profit organization. Using a private company could potentially cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Many Florida builders have employees certified in detecting and protecting the Gopher Tortoise as they could be held criminally liable for disturbing them as well.

Option 2: Onsite Relocation. In some cases, you potentially have the option to relocate the tortoise to a different part of the subject property.  “This process generally involves trapping or excavating the burrow, and once empty, completely collapsing it.

The tortoises are moved to the predetermined location elsewhere on the property. They are enclosed in a temporary pen and supported while starter burrows are created and they are eventually released.” P.A.W.S., https://www.pawsfloridachapter.com/Tortoiserelocationinfo.html. The cost for this service is $250-350.00 through this non-profit.

Option 3: Offsite Relocation. Offsite relocation is considered to be a more time consuming and costly alternative to the previously listed options. This route requires the highest levels of permits and oversight by government agencies such as the FWC. P.A.W.S. typically charges between $400.00 and $600.00 to oversee this service, which is compared to Private companies which can run up to $6,500.00 for comparable services. 

Avoiding problems with gopher tortoise

A gopher tortoise problem can be easily avoided, but it can be a very costly and time-consuming problem if it is missed during the inspection period. Should you or your client have any issues relating to gopher tortoises, it is highly recommended that you address the problem as soon as possible.

Any attempt to relocate or otherwise remove the tortoises on your own could result in very significant fines and/or criminal penalties against you.  Other types of wildlife have similar protections in Florida through an endangered species act and have their own experts to help landowners with mitigation.  

Protected species include Bald Eagles, which are the most well-known. It’s also worth knowing about gopher frogs and burrowing owls. If you are in doubt if a species is protected, it is advised to ask a professional before you begin your project. 

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PACE Program Florida Solar

The PACE Program – Are Solar Panels Worth The Trouble in Florida?

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Jarrod Ethridge on the PACE Program in FloridaBy Jarrod Etheridge

What is the PACE Program? 

When a homeowner is looking to upgrade their home to solar energy, the first step is to determine exactly how the project will be paid for Since most people typically do not have thousands of dollars in their rainy day fund, many people will require a loan to finance the upgrades. The PACE program will provide the loan for the homeowner. 

PACE, which stands for property assessed clean energy, is a new concept in financing home and commercial property improvements. PACE financing is an easy and effective way to finance a range of upgrades that save energy, conserve water, harness renewable energy, and protect against natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. While PACE programs are enabled by state legislation and approved by local governments, PACE financing is not a government discount or incentive program. 

PACE financing is a loan that is available in areas where the local government has allocated funds to be used for financing improvements on residential and commercial properties. An authorized PACE lender provides the funds to the homeowner, and the property owner repays the financial institution through an assessment attached to their annual property tax bill. The specific amount of money you qualify for is dependent on the amount of equity in your house. Hundreds of home and commercial improvements qualify for PACE financing. Among the more common are solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, roofing, HVAC systems, impact-resistant windows and doors, drought-tolerant landscaping and many more. 

The PACE program provides many benefits such as no money down with 100% financing and no payments for up to twelve months. A PACE loan is different than traditional loans because it attaches to the property, not the person. This means that the person who takes the loan can sell their house, and the loan is then paid by the new owner of the house. 

A loan with zero upfront costs attaches to the property rather than the person, and provides upgrades such as Solar panels, almost sounds too good to be true. Are there any downsides to a PACE program loan? For many homeowners, there have been. 

Are there problems with the PACE program? 

Ygrene Energy Fund is one of the bigger PACE program lenders in Florida. A typical PACE loan financed through Ygrene Energy Fund Florida lasts about 20 years with an average interest rate of about 7 percent. The PACE program has a higher interest rate than other green mortgage alternatives such as FHA loans. Borrowers can expect to repay twice the project cost over the payback period. As with any other type of loan, failure to make payments to a PACE loan will end up in a lien, which eventually could result in foreclosure. A property assessment automatically becomes the first lien on any property, putting both the borrowers and the mortgage lenders at risk of losing their money. With the risk incurred by the mortgage company, many lenders will not finance a purchase of a property holding a PACE loan. 

Many issues have arisen with contractors recommending a PACE loan to homeowners. It has been reported that some contractors charge more money for services that are financed through a PACE loan. There have also been reports of contractors stating that the price of payments on the loan would be offset by the amount of money the homeowner saves in utility bills, which for many homeowners was not accurate. In many instances, the homeowner relies on what the contractor has told them, regardless of whether this information is factually accurate. 

Should I use the PACE program?

Many homeowners did not take the time to read the full contract for a PACE loan, nor did they do the appropriate research to determine if this program was the right program for their specific situations. Some homeowners have alleged that they did not even know that failure to repay the loan would result in a lien on their property. If the house is foreclosed upon, the homeowner will have to pay the PACE loan off in full. If there is any money left over, the lender of the mortgage (if there is one) will be entitled to the surplus. This would leave the homeowner with a very unlikely chance of receiving any money from the foreclosure sale of their home. 

Is it worth getting a PACE loan for solar in Florida?

Yes, and No. The PACE program is not a one-size-fits-all program and should be scrutinized by each homeowner BEFORE they sign the contract. If you understand the PACE program, there are certainly ways to use it to your advantage. The real issues with the program seem to stem from homeowners jumping into a program without fully understanding the long-term contract. After the Solar panels are installed, the reality sets in that the PACE loan is a 20-30-year commitment that can potentially cost twice as much to repay, if the homeowner can make the payments at all. If you are the type of person who reads the terms of service on products you purchase, you should not have any problems with the PACE program, however, the PACE program is not a commitment in which you want to agree to the terms of service without first reading them.

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online notary public

The Online Notary Public – Just One Click Away

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By Jarrod Etheridge

A new House Bill, if passed, would allow for Online Notary Public services

If you have ever been involved in a lawsuit, filed for divorce, bought or sold a house, etc., you have probably had a few interactions with a Florida Notary. A Notary Public is an official appointed by the Governor of Florida, to serve the public as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents, as requiring the signor to appear in front of the Notary helps deter fraud. However, in 2019, the requirement of physically appearing before a Notary may become a thing of the past. House Bill 409, if passed, would allow for online Notarization of your important documents: 

“An online notary public physically located in this state may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of this part regardless of whether the principal or any witnesses are physically located in this state at the time of the online notarization.” See House Bill 409, Page 34, Lines 826-830. “An online notarial act performed in accordance with this chapter is deemed to have been performed within this state and is governed by the applicable laws of this state.” See House Bill 409, Page 34, Lines 835-838. 

The Bill, proposed by Rep. Daniel Perez, will be considered in the next Judicial Committee, which is the final step before a House Vote. Since proposing the Bill, there have been outbursts of mixed feelings with many people applauding the use of modern technology in the Notary field, and others arguing that Fraud is already on the rise, and this Bill will make it that much easier to commit Fraud. 

Benefits of an Online Notary Public

There are many benefits to this system, such as allowing people who are sick or bedridden to have important estate planning documents notarized without having to leave the house, or without having to have a mobile notary come into the home. The Bill would also allow someone on vacation to execute necessary documents without having to wait for days or weeks until they return home. 

House Bill 409 lays out specific criteria, including on-camera identification of the signor, that an online Notary will have to comply with before they are allowed to issue their seal: 

“In performing an online notarization, an online notary public shall confirm the identity of a principal and any witness appearing online, at the time that the signature is taken, by using audio-video communication technology and processes that meet the requirements of this part and of any rules adopted hereunder and record the two-way audio-video conference session between the notary public and the principal and any witnesses. A principal may not act in the capacity of a witness for his or her own signature in an online notarization.” See House Bill 409, Page 34, Lines 839-847. 

Advances in Technology Change the Way A Notary Public Can Operate

Historically a Notary was required to physically, in person, view a form of identification of the person signing such as a driver’s license or other governmental identification. The Notary Public either makes a copy of the license or records the identifying numbers in their Notary books in case the Notarized document is ever involved in litigation. Due to the importance of the document(s) being Notarized, litigation may arise many years later, so preservation of the Notary record is vital. With modern technology allowing cloud storage, these recorded identifying conference sessions could be stored forever electronically. This would allow people to later judge whether the documents provided were, in fact, sufficient because the viewable record would be exactly the same as it was at the time the notary witnessed the signing. However, if you continue scrolling the Bill, paragraph (9) raises some concerns: 

(9) Any failure to comply with the online notarization procedures set forth in this section does not impair the validity of the notarial act or the electronic record that was notarized, but may be introduced as evidence to establish violations of this chapter or as an indication of possible fraud, forgery, impersonation, duress, incapacity, undue influence, minority, illegality, unconscionability, or for other evidentiary purposes. See House Bill 409, Page 36, line 888. 

This section states that if an online Notary fails to record the Identification conference (or any of the others procedures not discussed in this article), the Notarization is not per se invalid. The Notarization would first have to be discovered, challenged, and then successfully argued and proven to be forged, fraudulent, or otherwise invalid. This would allow for a situation where someone has a friend perform an online Notary without any verifying documents and without recording the conference. The Notarization is not invalid until it is ruled as such; however, the Notary did not record or preserve any of the documents they relied upon. How exactly is a person supposed to prove whether a Notarization is fraudulent if there is not any record? This section could potentially create many nightmares in areas such as Wills and Trusts where the signor may not even be alive, and the Notary did not preserve the record. Perhaps this should be reversed, in that the online notarization should be considered per se invalid unless there exists proper documentation or record to support the identity of the signor. 

With the help of technology such as video conferencing, many areas of society are moving into electronic means. With the importance of Notarization, and how heavily our society leans on the verification of a signature, perhaps proposed House Bill 409 is a little less restrictive than it should be as the first round of Electronic Notarization in Florida. Whichever way the Florida legislature decides, it will be an interesting story to follow.

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OLG.ChristinaMiner

What NOT to Include in Your Last Will and Testament

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OLG LEGAL COMMENTARY:

Attorney Christina Miner

What NOT to include in your Last Will and TestamentIt’s important to understand that even though there are things that you should leave out of your will, drafting your last will and testament is one of the most important steps one can take. The will identifies how you want your property and assets divided and who you want to get them when you are gone. While a will can include a variety of terms, there are some things that should not be included in your will.

1. Funeral and or Burial Instructions

A will is often not located until after the funeral or burial. If you include these types of instructions in your will, most likely these wishes will not be discovered until after your funeral. It is usually better to convey your wishes ahead of time by speaking with the loved one who will most likely be responsible for handling this task or by purchasing a prepaid funeral/burial plan.

2. Leaving Gifts to a Beneficiary with Special Needs

A parent may think that leaving a large gift to a child or other loved one with special needs will ensure that the loved one will be able to live their lives to the fullest or that they will have the ability to receive all the care they need. The last will and testament is not the place to bequest an outright gift to someone with special needs. A person with special needs receiving public benefits often times can only have a limited income and limited assets. Anything over the designated amount can disqualify someone with special needs from continuing to receive benefits. There are certain types of trusts, such as a special needs trust, that specifically address the management of the specific needs of a person with special needs. The trust can be a standalone special needs trust or even a trust created within the last will and testament.

3. Leaving gifts or money for an illegal purpose

This does not happen very often, but it could be that someone tries to make a gift that says “to Joe, so long as he uses my car to transport immigrants over the border.” Inserting an illegal purpose could invalidate the entire will.

4. Assets with named beneficiaries

Life insurance, retirement plans, and financial accounts usually require a designated beneficiary be identified. Upon your death, those assets will be transferred to the named beneficiary, so they cannot be distributed by your will.

5. Jointly Owned Property

Tenants by the Entirety and Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship mean that when you or the other joint tenant dies, the survivor automatically owns the property in full. If a gift of joint tenancy or tenants by the entirety is made in a will, it will fail. It can’t be done.

6. Property owned by a Trust

The last will and testament cannot make a gift of any assets that are owned by the trust. The property owned by the living trust automatically goes to the beneficiaries and is managed by the trustee. If you want to leave the asset to someone else or change the terms, it must be done by an amendment to the trust, not the will.

7. Conditions placed on Gifts in your Last Will and Testament

Some people want to put conditions on gifts, and that can be okay, but one must be careful. Putting conditions such as “to Mary, so long as she marries a (insert religion) man” or “to Mary, so long as she divorces her bum husband” are not allowable and the will may be held invalid. Conditions such as “to Mary, so long as she finishes college” are okay.

If you are going to take the time to create a last will and testament, make sure that your time has not been wasted. Speak to an estate planning attorney who will ensure that the will is drafted properly and will be upheld in court.

Christina Miner is a Wills and Estate Planning Attorney with The Orlando Law Group. Her practice focuses on estate planning, guardianship, probate and trust administration. She has worked for private law firms, was assistant regional counsel for the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel – 5th District, and was senior attorney for the Florida Department of Children and Families. She earned her Juris Doctorate from FAMU College of Law, and earned her bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Central Florida.

To contact Christina, visit www.TheOrlandoLawGroup.com or call (407) 512-4394.

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