Author: Rice Law

The Florida Supreme Court recently handed down a ruling that increased the potential liability of developers and home builders throughout Florida for shoddy infrastructure work.  A homeowner’s association in Orange County sued its developer, Maronda Homes of Florida, because of streets cracking, driveways sinking, storm drains collapsing, lawns eroding and retention ponds overflowing in its gated subdivision. 

Ashleigh Drexler, a Florida Registered Paralegal in the Family Law Division of Rice & Rose, P.A., recently attended a seminar in St. Petersburg, Florida, that was hosted by the Paralegal Association of Florida – Pinellas Chapter.

Rice & Rose Law is sponsoring the 2nd Annual YMCA 5k/10k & 1-mile Fun Run/Walk to be held in the Hunters Ridge Subdivision (3 miles west of I-95 on State Road 40) on December 7, 2013.

Although fall doesn't really seem any different than summer here in Florida, it does mark a shift away from swimming and triathlon to cycling and running. Paul Rice, seen here, of the Rice & Rose Law Firm poses in front of his office building after a 65 mile ride through Volusia and Flagler Counties on a recent Sunday morning.

Partner Philip Bonamo was recently awarded The Client Distinction Award for 2013 from Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Bonamo was selected for this award as a result of his high client review rating, through Martindale.com and Lawyers. com, in the categories of communication ability, responsiveness, quality of service, and overall value. 

On July 1, 2013 new laws regarding landlord/tenants, renting your homestead property and as to squatters rights became effective in Florida. As to rights effecting landlords and tenants, Fla.Stat.§83.64 was amended to provide that residential landlords may not retaliate against their tenant if the tenant has paid rent to a condominium, cooperative, or homeowners’ association after demand is made by the association in order to pay the landlord’s obligation to the association. 

A real estate contract is an agreement between the Owner/Seller of a house and a Buyer.  The parties have to agree on the following issues:    1.  Price.   The parties have to agree on the price of the home.  Retaining a knowledgeable realtor is a good first step in determining the value of the home. 

Jim Rose shared his views in a recent Daytona Beach News Journal Business article. Local real estate attorney Jim Rose, who tracks foreclosure filings in Volusia County on a weekly basis, described the drop in foreclosure filings in Volusia County as “precipitous,” adding that foreclosure filings continue to be down so far this month as well.

Recently, Christene M. Ertl, Esq. spoke to Volusia County’s Building Association Managers group to provide an update on the recent changes to Florida laws that will have a big impact on Condos and HOAs.  Most of these changes went into effect on July 1, 2013.  

Using an old Daytona 500 NASCAR race expression, the second Rice & Rose Sprint Triathlon on July 14, 2013, enjoyed "Bill France Weather."  Pictured here are Paul Rice (wearing the Tour de France's King of the Mountains red polka dot jersey) his son, Paul III, and daughter, Haley, who helped out at the race.