Attorney Katherine Naugle was pictured in the Jacksonville Daily Record for as President elect of the JWLA with State Attorney Angela Corey. For the full artlice click here. 
JSmith
May 152012
If you own the home you live in, your home is protected from all creditors except those holding a mortgage or lien on your residence. You can exempt or protect your home and up to one-half acre of land from any forced sale if you live in an incorporated area or in unincorporated areas, you can protect up to 160 acres as homestead property.
Under most circumstances, a lien cannot be placed on your homestead home for a debt that has nothing to do with your home. However, creditors who loan you money to buy, improve, or repair your home may put a lien on your home. Nevertheless, if a creditor has a mortgage on your home no matter what the purpose for the mortgage is you are not protected by the homestead exemption.
As additionally security for your home, you can file an affidavit describing your home and claiming it as your homestead with the court/clerk. This is different from the homestead tax form you file with the county property appraiser every year. Florida Statute 222.01 provides the type of notice and affidavit which is required to be filed.
If not properly handled, security deposit claims can bring dire economic consequences to landlords. Florida Statues require that upon a tenant’s vacating the premises for termination of the lease, if the landlord does not intend to impose a claim on the security deposit, the landlord shall have fifteen (15) days to return the security deposit or the landlord shall have thirty (30) days to give the tenant written notification of a claim against the security deposit within thirty (30) days after the tenant vacates the premises. If the landlord does not send the notice within the required time period, he or she may be liable to return the security deposit, even if the tenant owes money.
There are only two things which can be properly deduced form a security deposit – past due rent and damages. If there are questions as to what may or may not be deducted one should seek legal advice. If there is a lawsuit over the security and the tenant wins even partial return of the deposit, the tenant can be awarded attorney’s fees, which normally far exceed the amount of the deposit itself. This is not an area of the law where self-help is advised
Attorney Jonathan Smith was listed in 904 Magazine for his work with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
Mar 082012
On March 7, 2012, Attorney Jonathan Smith opened Public Policy Forum on Homeless in Downtown Jacksonville. The Forum was hosted by the Downtown and Arlington Councils of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Jonathan Smith as President of the Downtown Council, began the Forum with welcoming remarks and introduction of the moderator. For more information click here.
Attorney Jonathan Smith was featured in the Jacksonville Daily Record for his work in the Downtown Council Chamber of Commerce. For more click here.
Attorney Katherine Naugle was pictured in the Jacksonville Financial News & Daily Record. Mrs. Naugle hosted the Jacksonville Women’s Lawyers monthly lunch, which featured Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince as keynote speaker. To read the article click here. Katherine Naugle is a member of the Board and President elect of the JWLA.
Naulge & Smith, encourages everyone to vote for Family Promise of Jacksonville in the Give to Givers contest for local non-profits. The Give to the Givers contest winner will receive $10,000 in media services! The contest is being sponsored by Buzz Magazine, Client Focused Media, First News, First Coast Living and Safeguard Printing. Vote Here in support of Family Promise of Jacksonville.
