WILLIAM MORRIS

• It's The Law: Security deposit gets special treatment Published 06/13/2013 at 12:51 p.m.

  Q: I am having some problems with my landlord. We are near the end of our lease and I am concerned he will keep the security deposit. What are my rights? A: I assume you are a residential tenant. Florida ...

• It's The Law: Sperm donor is not a parent Published 05/30/2013 at 3:05 p.m.

  Q: A while back, I agreed to be a sperm donor for one of my friends. We did this informally and did not go through a doctor's office. We agreed that I would have no involvement with the child and ...

• It's The Law: Condominium disclosure required for all buyers Published 05/20/2013 at 10:03 a.m.

  Question: I am buying a condominium and have heard there is mandatory seller disclosure. Can you explain? Answer: Florida's legislature apparently believes condominium buyers require special attention. The legislature confirms that position through Sectio

• It's The Law: Tax sale certificates are not deeds Published 04/29/2013 at 2:38 p.m.

  Question: I understand that you do not lose title to your property if you do not pay taxes. Instead, some type of tax certificate is issued. Can you explain?

• It's The Law: Adoption of a girlfriend can be problematic Published 04/18/2013 at 2:33 p.m.

  Q: I heard something recently about an old man who wanted to adopt his girlfriend. Is that legal? A: Adoption terminates the status of parent and child with a former parent and replaces it with a new, legal relationship. An ...

• It's The Law: Condominium can install hurricane protection Published 04/10/2013 at 4 a.m.

  Question: Hi. My condo complex board decided to let everyone change out their sliding doors and windows to hurricane proof type, only for the owners who wanted them. Now they are talking about forcing the rest of the owners to ...

• It's The Law: Where there’s a will ... Last testament can impose marriage restrictionscan Published 03/17/2011 at 5:04 p.m.

  Q: My father has a clause in his will that I only get something if I am married to a person of a particular religious faith. Is that legal? A: The right of a person to include restrictions on a ...

• It's The Law: Income vs support Published 05/14/2010 at 1:11 p.m.

  Q: I have a friend who is getting divorced. She is asking for alimony and child support but her husband has cut back on his work so he can show the court he makes very little money. Is that fair? ...

• It's The Law: Fees and short sales Published 04/30/2010 at 1:18 p.m.

  Q: I am on the Board my Condominium Association. One of our owners is far behind in assessments and is now trying to do a short sale. The mortgage holder will not allow deduction from the sale proceeds of anything ...

• It's the law: Mediation can resolve lawsuits Published 02/19/2010 at 5:11 p.m.

  Mediation is a process under which a neutral mediator works with parties in a lawsuit in an effort to reach a settlement. The mediator does not issue a decision, but acts as a facilitator. Mediation does not end a lawsuit ...

• It's the Law: Probate need not be a daunting process Published 12/29/2009 at 3:50 p.m.

  Q: My mother recently died and her Will appoints me to administer her estate. Can you give me a brief outline of Florida probate?

• Law Q&A: Don’t count on your banker for protection Published 12/09/2009 at 7:18 a.m.

  Q: A while back, I borrowed money from the bank to buy some real estate. The initial interest rate was very low, but it was adjustable. The interest rate has increased and I can not afford the payment. I think ...

• It's the Law: Title can be acquired by adverse possession Published 10/22/2009 at 5:57 p.m. 1 Comment

  Q: I am buying a house and had the property surveyed. The survey shows my neighbor planted a hedge three feet onto the property I am buying. I do not want to make a problem for him, but I am ...

• It's the Law: Virtual adoption can create heirs Published 10/15/2009 at 6:06 p.m.

  Q: A friend of mine was raised by his uncle from the age of two. The uncle died without a will. The uncle’s other children now claim that my friend has no right to share in the uncle’s estate. Is ...

• It's the Law: Condos exempt from fair debt collections Published 10/01/2009 at 6:24 p.m.

  I am on a condominium board of directors. Some of our owners are not paying their assessments and others refuse to pay fines. We sent a demand letter and the owner claims that we are in violation of the Fair ...

• It's the Law: Alimony modification requires real changes Published 09/24/2009 at 6:30 p.m. 1 Comment

  Q: My ex-wife is talking about taking me back to court for more alimony. Can she do that?

• It's the Law: Foreclosure law explained Published 09/17/2009 at 6:14 p.m.

  Q: A friend of mine is in mortgage foreclosure. He does not know what will happen next. Can you explain the foreclosure process?

• It's the Law: Custody changes are not easy Published 09/10/2009 at 6:26 p.m. 1 Comment

  Q: My spouse got custody of our children in our divorce. I have since remarried and am doing well financially. I think our children would be better off with me. How difficult is it to change custody in Florida?

• It's the Law: Drug possession could lead to prison sentence Published 09/08/2009 at 6:15 p.m.

  Q: My brother was arrested for possession of marijuana. Someone told us that possession of marijuana is a felony and he could actually go to jail! Is that true? How are drugs classified and are some drugs considered worse than ...

• It's the Law: Qualifying contractor has no liability Published 08/20/2009 at 6:54 p.m.

  Q: We are building a home and some of the work is defective. The contracting companying stopped construction without paying all of the subs. It will cost us a lot to finish the home and we will probably have to ...

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