News

Family law is constantly evolving and embraces many areas of the law other than just matrimonial litigation and issues of support, parenting/timesharing, and equitable distribution. Tax issues often figure prominently in a divorce and include issues of misrepresentation of income and/or deductions by one spouse which may result in additional tax, penalties and interest for both spouses, usually to the shock of the spouse who trustingly signed the tax returns as presented.

It is no secret that times have changed for those of us who recall  when the vast majority of children were born to married parents.  Just as the divorce rate has risen over the past decade, so has the number of children born to unmarried mothers. 

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.

When many people picture the benefits of marriage they often envision companionship, financial security, and a partner with which you can share your life experiences.  While all of those are certainly true, there is one benefit that is often overlooked – creditor protection.

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.