CONTACT INFORMATION
THE MACSIM FIRM
Phone: 561-899-8184
Facsimile: 561-536-3031
Email: themacsimfirm@gmail.com
OFFICE MAILING ADDRESS
CORRESPONDENCE ONLY
P.O. Box 3045
Boynton Beach, FL 33424
BOYNTON BEACH
No Walk-Ins. By Appointment Only.
1375 Gateway Boulevard
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
WEST PALM BEACH
No Walk-Ins. By Appointment Only
1645 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite 1200
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
FORT LAUDERDALE
No Walk-Ins. By Appointment Only
1451 W. Cypress Creek Rd, Suite 300
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
I am being sued by a company over credit card debt. What should I do?: I am currently on Social Security disability and do not own a home. I do own a 2000 model year car.
The lawsuit is for approximately $4200 due to capital one. I became ill and was hospitalized and my payments went into default. Before then I had been keeping up with payments regularly.
Jacqueline’s answer: I agree with Attorney Hittel and I also recommend getting your lawsuit paperwork evaluated by an attorney. There may be defenses and/or exemptions available to you. Most attorneys offer a free consultation. If legal fees are a concern, consider contacting your county legal aid office or you can visit the self help legal center at your local county courthouse.
Mailed I 485 app And they received it on Nov 1 2016. How long before we hear from them as to wether they except it or not?: We were married Sept 21st 2016. She is here on a tourist visa. It expires 12/29/16… if we don’t hear before the expiration of her visa does she have to leave the country?
Jacqueline’s answer: Your question contains a lot of unanswered questions.
Your case was recently filed so I doubt that you have received a receipt notice from USCIS. Until then, you will need to remain patient.
Secondly, you said you filed an I-485, but you did not indicate whether or not you filed an I-130 petition. If you did not file an I-130, you have a problem. I suggest you contact an immigration attorney to discuss your options asap. The attorney will address your visa issue.
After you receive your receipt notice from USCIS, you can check current USCIS processing times by visiting here: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplay…
Can I file for just divorce and not child custody in Texas? : We were married under common law in Texas and he left while I was pregnant. I did not establish his paternity & I intend to file for divorce on the grounds of either no fault or abandonment. I am a resident of Florida now and I want to remarry and remain the only guardian for my son so he remains with me in case the father decided to fight for custody ( father did not make contacts of any kind regarding the child since pregnancy by his choice and I don’t know where he lives or works anymore). Question is:
Can I file for only divorce and not custody If I won’t ask for child support just yet?
Jacqueline’s answer: If you are a Florida resident and you don’t know where you spouse lives you can file for divorce by publication. If everything is filed properly, you will receive a divorce, but the court cannot make any decisions regarding child custody, child support or division of property. Technically, you will have custody because your child is with you, but you will not get a COURT ORDER awarding you custody. The issues of child custody, child support and division of property will remain “open” until you can properly locate and serve your husband.
You should consult with a family law attorney for more information.
Landlord Tenant Lawyer
NO OFFICE VISIT NECESSARY
MOST CASES FILED WITHIN 24 HOURS
The eviction process can be very technical. If you do not prepare and serve all your notices properly, and if proper procedures are not followed, your case can either be thrown out of court or significantly prolonged.
If you don’t have an attorney you risk losing out on rent and damages that may be due to you. In addition, you may end up having your case dismissed and having a tenant living in your property for free.
With one call to our office, we can detail a customized legal plan for eviction proceedings that puts less stress on you and allows you to get a fresh start with a new tenant in your property.
Start your tenant eviction online today. Fast turnaround!
STEP 1
ATTORNEY CONSULTATION
An Attorney will contact you to discuss your case.
You may also call the office at 561-899-8184 to schedule your appointment.
During your consultation, the Attorney will discuss registration form, analyze your tenant troubles and provide immediate feedback.
STEP 2
SUBMIT YOUR PAPERWORK
NO OFFICE VISIT NECESSARY
You can fax, scan/email or bring your documents into the office for processing.
You will also hire the firm, sign a retainer and pay your legal fees.
STEP 3
WE FILE YOUR CASE
Using your information and documents, we will prepare and file your case with the court.
We will keep you informed throughout the entire process.
Most uncontested evictions take 4-6 weeks to complete.
GENERAL INFORMATION
THE UNCONTESTED EVICTION PROCESS
- Post and/or hand delivery of a three day notice, seven day notice or notice of lease termination
- Wait 3 or 7 days, not including weekends and holidays
- File Eviction Lawsuit with the County Court
- Serve tenant with summons
- Wait 5 days
- If tenant does not answer, file Request for Default
- Clerk’s default
- File Final Judgment of Eviction with Judge
- If tenant is still on the property, get Writ of Possession approx. $90.00
- Writ of Possession issued
- Schedule removal of tenant with Sheriff
THE CONTESTED EVICTION PROCESS
After the tenant is served with the evictions summons and complaint, the tenant has 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Legal Holidays) to file an answer to a landlord’s complaint. If the tenant files an answer to your complaint, the eviction becomes contested. Important Notice: A Contested Eviction will incur additional Attorney Fees ($200.00 per hour) and other costs.
An answer can be any type of response, even a handwritten note from the tenant to the Judge. If an answer has been submitted it is strongly advised that you retain an attorney.
After filing an answer, the case can take many unpredictable turns, depending on what the tenant said in the answer. This can lead to litigation, hearings, mediation, and even trial. Our attorneys can help you navigate through this process and avoid the countless legal pitfalls that you may encounter. This is especially true if the tenant has paid representation or legal aid.
*OPTIONAL SERVICES
NOTICE POSTING – Upon retaining us for your eviction, we can provide you with a three-day seven-day notice, or fifteen-day notice and a helpful checklist at no extra cost. If you would like the firm to serve the notice on your tenant or post the notice at the property, the minimum non-refundable service charge is $75.00 – $100.00, depending on the address.
DID YOUR TENANT FILE BANKRUPTCY? WE CAN HELP.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is an eviction for possession only?
An eviction for possession only is the legal means by which a property owner takes back possession of rented property from a tenant, without asking the Court for anything further.
2. What is an eviction for possession and damages?
Aside from obtaining possession, the property owner obtains a Judgment from the Court
that in effect recognizes and orders the tenant to pay money damages or the losses suffered by the property owner.
3. What damages may a property owner seek from a tenant?
Generally, a property owner is entitled to recover the amount of rent lost and attorneys’ fees and costs associated with the eviction lawsuit.
4. Why would a property owner choose not to sue for possession and damages?
A property owner may seek possession and damages in eviction proceedings. However, there are 2 legal, and in our opinion practical hurdles, to obtaining damages.
4-1. The first has to do with “Service of Process”, the means by which the tenant is given notice that legal proceedings have begun. In order to obtain a damages judgment the “Service of Process” must be personally served on the tenant. In other words, the tenant must be personally handed the eviction complaint requesting the damages by a process server. The tenant is not required to open his door or otherwise cooperate with the process server in his attempt to deliver the eviction complaint to the tenant. A tenant who evades being served with the eviction complaint will delay the eviction proceedings and add costs to the proceedings.
4-2. The second has to do with collecting the damages. It is unlikely that the tenant will simply pay the judgment amount. Especially since most evictions are started due to non-payment. As such, the property owner must locate and petition the Court to garnish an asset of the tenant to satisfy the money damages. This will cause the property owner to incur additional fees and costs that may not produce any result.
5. Why is seeking possession through eviction proceedings easier than damages?
By enacting Landlord – Tenant laws The Florida Legislature has established the rights of landlords and tenants and the procedures for enforcing those rights. Current law allows a property owner to obtain possession through “Summary Procedure”. This dramatically shortens the time periods required for Answers and Motions and requires that the Court advance eviction cases on the docket. Also, because an eviction for possession is considered by the Court as a lawsuit involving rights over a piece of property, personal service is not required, as it is for damages. The eviction complaint can be “posted” on the premises to grant the Court jurisdiction to make determinations over the property. The option of “posting” the complaint on the premises usually makes obtaining “Service of Process” easier and less costly.
6. Why and when can a property owner evict a tenant?
A tenant may be evicted for breaching the terms of his rental agreement or failing to leave the rented property once the rental agreement has ended. The tenant can then be evicted as soon as the landlord provides notice to the tenant that his rental agreement has been terminated due to the breach or passage of time and the tenant refuses to leave the property.
7. What constitutes a breach of the terms of the rental agreement?
The most common breach for which eviction proceedings are started is non-payment of rent. Other breaches may include but are not limited to violations by the tenant of community association rules for those rental properties located in community associations, illegal activities of the tenant conducted on or affecting the rented property or violating pet restrictions set by the property owner. (Illegal activities can be criminal or civil, such as violating zoning laws by operating a business in a residential area.)
8. What notice must be given to a tenant for not paying rent (Non-Payment of Rent Breach)?
It is of the utmost importance for a property owner or his agent to strictly adhere to the requirements established by law as to the notice that must be provided to the tenant. What follows below is a brief introduction of some, but not all, notice requirements and should not replace the advice of an attorney. You should consult with an attorney prior to taking any action regarding tenant notices. It is noteworthy that most landlord – tenant cases are decided based on notice requirements.
Non-Payment of Rent Breach is the most common breach. It requires a 3-day notice to pay or vacate. The notice basically informs the tenant that they have failed to pay the rent as required and provides the tenant 3 business days to either pay the rent due or move out. This notice also serves as a notice of termination should the tenant refuse or fail to either pay the rent due or move out upon the expiration of the 3 days.
9. What notice must be given to tenant for breaching the terms of the rental agreement not related to payment of rent?
It is of the utmost importance for a property owner or his agent to strictly adhere to the requirements established by law as to the notice that must be provided to the tenant. What follows below is a brief introduction of some, but not all, notice requirements and should not replace the advice of an attorney. You should consult with an attorney prior to taking any action regarding tenant notices. It is noteworthy that most landlord – tenant cases are decided based on notice requirements.
The answer depends on whether the breach is something the tenant can correct or not. A “curable” versus a “non-curable” breach.
Curable Breach – If the tenant’s breach is curable, such as parking in the wrong space, it requires a 7-day notice to fix the breach or move out. This notice must explain to the tenant what the violation of the rental agreement is, what must be done to correct it and provide the tenant 7 days to correct it or move out.
Non-Curable Breach – If the tenant’s breach is non-curable, such as intentional destruction of the property or committing the same curable violation within a year, it requires a 7-day notice to vacate. Again this notice must explain to the tenant what the violation of rental agreement is, that it is non-curable, that the rental agreement is ended and that the tenant must move out within 7 days.
***Disclaimer: This site is for promotional purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be considered legal advice. We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.