Category Archives: General
THE DECEMBER CLOSING TRAPS MOST BUYERS AND SELLERS MISS
December real estate transactions often look straightforward on paper, but year-end deals carry a unique risk that rarely gets discussed: decisions made for timing reasons can quietly override long-term strategy. While the desire to “close the books” before the new year is understandable, the rushed timeline can create legal and financial complications that persist… Read More »
DECEMBER STRESS AS A STRESS TEST FOR YOUR ESTATE PLAN
December is stressful by design. Deadlines pile up, calendars fill, and decisions that were easy to postpone all year suddenly feel urgent. Family gatherings that should be relaxing become logistical exercises. Financial matters that seemed manageable in June demand immediate attention as December 31st approaches. While most people experience this as something to endure… Read More »
FLORIDA HOUSE UNVEILS BROAD PROPERTY TAX REFORM PROPOSALS
Legislative & Policy Update On October 16, 2025, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez issued a memorandum outlining seven proposed constitutional amendments that could reshape Florida’s property tax system. The proposals collectively aim to reduce or restructure property taxes on homestead properties, modify assessment limits, and expand portability of existing tax benefits. Speaker Perez noted… Read More »
CONDOMINIUM COVENANTS & CREEPY CLAUSES: HOA RULES THAT HAUNT BUYERS
You may think buying a new condo is a treat — but hidden in the fine print of your HOA documents, there could be a few tricks waiting to surprise you. Before you fall under the spell of granite countertops and resort-style pools, beware of what lurks in the Declaration of Condominium, Covenants, Bylaws,… Read More »
DON’T LET PROBATE HAUNT YOUR FAMILY: 3 STEPS TO PROTECT THEM NOW
Every year around Halloween, we enjoy a good scare—ghost stories, haunted houses, and spooky movies. But when it comes to your family’s future, there’s one horror story you want to avoid at all costs: the nightmare of probate. Probate isn’t just a legal process—it can be a real-life fright fest for families left scrambling… Read More »
FinCEN Issues Guidance to Financial Institutions on Cross-Border Information Sharing
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing guidance to encourage and promote appropriate, voluntary cross-border sharing of information between and among financial institutions, including appropriate foreign financial institutions. The guidance aims to help combat the threats posed by money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit finance activity,… Read More »
Locked Out for Love: When Condo Boards Go Too Far – Understanding Florida Tenant Rights and Condominium Board Overreach
Our office recently represented a tenant in a Miami condominium who ran into an increasingly common—but legally questionable—problem: his access fob to the parking garage and common areas was deactivated by the condo association. The reason? His girlfriend had moved in with him. No warning. No violation hearing. No due process. Just an abrupt… Read More »
Keys, Coins, & Closings: Fannie & Freddie Say “Yes” to Crypto
In a landmark shift that could reshape mortgage underwriting, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has taken a major step into the digital age. On June 27, 2025, the FHFA announced that it would begin allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider cryptocurrency holdings as verifiable assets when assessing mortgage applications—provided the digital… Read More »
Understanding Eminent Domain in Florida: What Every Property Owner Should Know
Earlier this month, a case out of Cranbury, New Jersey, captured national attention when the township voted to seize a 175-year-old family farm through eminent domain to satisfy affordable housing mandates. The property owners—who had previously rejected multimillion-dollar offers from private developers—argue that the land is unsuitable for residential development and that the township… Read More »
Understanding Short-Term Rentals in Florida: A Legal Guide for Miami Property Owners
As a property owner in Miami, the short-term rental market, fueled by platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, presents a compelling opportunity to generate significant income. However, Florida’s complex and evolving regulatory framework demands strict compliance to avoid costly penalties and legal challenges. At Miami Legal, P.A., we guide property owners through the intricacies of… Read More »