Recently in Powers and Duties Category

December 26, 2009

Guardianship Attorney Jacksonville Florida Guardianship Lawyer

A Jacksonville Guardianship lawyer can help individuals who are not able to deal with their own affairs in a physical or financial manner. By having a person appointed through a Florida Guardianship Proceeding, an individual (the ward), appoints a person( the guardian) to help the ward in those areas where they do not want to or can not represent their own best interests.

A Florida Guardianship attorney can either help to represent the individual or represent others to make sure that the proper guardian is chosen and that they fulfill their fiduciary obligations. Often we find that guardians do what they want and not necessarily what is in the best interest of the ward. This can cause damages and can open the guardian to liability for the actions that they took.

If you or someone you know if in need of a Florida Guardianship or might have been taken advantage by their Florida Guardian, you should contact a Jacksonville Guardianship Attorney to discuss your situation and what options are available to you through Florida's Guardianship proceedings.

December 10, 2008

Asbestos Removal and Greener Alternatives

If you are a Trustee or Guardian over property in Florida There are many things to consider when remodeling or purchasing an older home, which is common in the real estate industry.

I recently became aware of problems with some homes built before 1980 because they have a strong likelihood of containing asbestos. Due to a steady progression of technology and green sustainable methods, there are many ways to ensure your home or property is asbestos free. If you are interested in saving money, remodeling and improving your carbon footprint, here is some information that I found to help you get on the right track.

Asbestos insulation was used in millions of homes throughout the last quarter of the 20th century and can become a real dilemma for homeowners due to a variety of health problems, including malignant mesothelioma and a variety of other lung ailments. Mesothelioma takes the lives of thousands of people each year and has lead to a variety of mesothelioma lawyers throughout the nation. Manufacturers of asbestos products knew about the harmful effects of asbestos and continued manufacturing the products anyways.

Non-regulated asbestos material can be legally performed by homeowners, regular contractors, or licensed asbestos abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. Asbestos removal in public facilities, homes and workplaces must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Once the removal is complete, green insulation options should be given serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lcynene.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), in a study conducted in 2003, estimated a savings of $50-$65 per square foot for well-constructed green buildings in the U.S. (see table below) during that year. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available, and those kinds of figures have finally begun to attract those who thought eco-friendly construction was just a bunch of hogwash.

If you are involved with property in Florida as a fiduciary, you may want to check out these resources to protect the assets. To discuss your potential liability, Contact a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer.