OT: Lawyer in central Florida

[pointingdogsrule]

Not sure how appropriate this is to post, however, we seem to out of options. Mom lived in a retirement community 1 hour south of Orlando. Very well kept mobile home park. Mom is ailing and home in PA, not ever going back to Florida due to health. Was going to sell the place on the cheap just to take the lot rent off our hands. Once the "managers" found out they started a whole list of things that were unacceptable with the place. They say the will not let her sell until all things are up to the communities standards. You can NOT believe what they have done to the place and it's just be coming a living hell. These managers seem like they can just make things up that are unacceptable. I would like to talk to a lawyer in Florida that knows about these things. Flying down tomorrow. Any suggestions would be VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. THANKS.

 

[katchthis]

Good luck brother. Sounds like a tough road ahead.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Put out a hit on one of the managers..... the 10% with an IQ above 5 will acquiesce to reason.

 

[PAgeologist]

I'm not a lawyer, and I honestly don't have any reasonable advice, but I wish you and your family all the best through this. I know you post on the wrestling board, maybe seek out tikk10 for at least some direction.

 

[nitanee123]

Not sure how appropriate this is to post, however, we seem to out of options. Mom lived in a retirement community 1 hour south of Orlando. Very well kept mobile home park. Mom is ailing and home in PA, not ever going back to Florida due to health. Was going to sell the place on the cheap just to take the lot rent off our hands. Once the "managers" found out they started a whole list of things that were unacceptable with the place. They say the will not let her sell until all things are up to the communities standards. You can NOT believe what they have done to the place and it's just be coming a living hell. These managers seem like they can just make things up that are unacceptable. I would like to talk to a lawyer in Florida that knows about these things. Flying down tomorrow. Any suggestions would be VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. THANKS.

What do you mean that they won’t let her sell? Did they place a lien on the property?

 

[psuro]

You may actually need a couple lawyers. One that deals with rental/property issues and one that may deal with elderly issues. You may have arguments on both fronts based solely on what you posted

I put in a call to a friend whose father has connections in the legal circles in Central FL. If he comes up with a name I will post it in this thread.

 

[Madsol]

Check with the county bar association where the park is. In PA, the bar associations have a lawyer referral service. Guessing Florida would be similar. At least this way you're not just picking a name out of hat. Good luck to you.

 

[Ian]

Unfortunately it’s central Florida. Most of the activity in the middle of the state is nothing like you encounter on its coasts. Wink, wink. I’d seek assistance or referrals from up north.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

I'm not a lawyer, and I honestly don't have any reasonable advice, but I wish you and your family all the best through this. I know you post on the wrestling board, maybe seek out tikk10 for at least some direction.

Is Tikk10 an attorney??? Thanks.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

You may actually need a couple lawyers. One that deals with rental/property issues and one that may deal with elderly issues. You may have arguments on both fronts based solely on what you posted

I put in a call to a friend whose father has connections in the legal circles in Central FL. If he comes up with a name I will post it in this thread.

Thanks!!! Any little bit of info would help at this point.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

What do you mean that they won’t let her sell? Did they place a lien on the property?

No lien. Apparently these parks can approve or disapprove of any potential buyer. Not sure how they can do that... that's why we need an attorney that knows this stuff.

 

[Agoodnap]

I assume you've already moved your mothers money out of harms way. Assuming this is correct...What's the trailer worth? Hire a trailer moving company for the value of the trailer and sign it over to them for moving it out of the park. Your mothers credit rating really doesn't matter at this point.

 

[nitanee123]

No lien. Apparently these parks can approve or disapprove of any potential buyer. Not sure how they can do that... that's why we need an attorney that knows this stuff.

Are you permitted to rent out the unit?
Family friend (Jim) owned a property with a shared driveway. The driveway was in bad shape and needed torn and re-cemented. Neighbor, however, refused to split the cost. Jim and neighbor went back and forth with Jim telling him he will rent it out or move if they don’t agree. Finally Jim found the dirtiest, most toothless person he knew and had him knock on neighbors door and inquired “I’m here to see Jim about his house for rent”. The neighbors quickly agreed to split cost.

 

[PSUQBKeeper]

post it on the r/legaladvice subreddit.....bunch of knowledgeable people on there

https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/

 

[Thomas1945]

You may actually need a couple lawyers. One that deals with rental/property issues and one that may deal with elderly issues. You may have arguments on both fronts based solely on what you posted

I put in a call to a friend whose father has connections in the legal circles in Central FL. If he comes up with a name I will post it in this thread.

This is good advice. However please understand what you’re facing.
1. You have both a real estate and a potential elder abuse issue. Seeing as how you just want out ( remember they know that and it’s what their strategy is based upon ) the first question is what you are willing to invest to resolve this? Elder abuse is rather complicated and unless there are violations of criminal statutes it may become quite expensive. I would attack the real estate issue first, because if you’re mom isn’t returning then it simply becomes you wanting a financial solution.
2. Remember if it’s a small town be very careful in obtaining local counsel as everyone is intertwined and they have to live with each other long after you are gone. Council not located in the town would be a wise choice if you are able to obtain referrals from the local Bar Association. Believe me you are not the first individual to face this problem with respect to elderly parents, and council not part of the local old boy network is critical.
3. Unfortunately Florida allows property management greater latitude than they should in my opinion. Sadly, and there’s no way for me to sugarcoat this, it maybe more time consuming and costly than the reasonable decent individual might imagine. However persistence does pay off, and good luck.

 

[Thomas1945]

I assume you've already moved your mothers money out of harms way. Assuming this is correct...What's the trailer worth? Hire a trailer moving company for the value of the trailer and sign it over to them for moving it out of the park. Your mothers credit rating really doesn't matter at this point.

While I was busy writing a Legal Brief, this as an alternative is excellent. However the park management may attempt to oppose the move but it’s far better than nothing.

 

[PAgeologist]

Is Tikk10 an attorney??? Thanks.

I believe he openly stated that he is an attorney amongst his many posts in the wrestling board. I just thought he could at least point you in the right direction to get the help you need.

 

[SoParkLion]

Better Call Saul.

 

[flinter]

You might also want to speak wit someone in Aging Services in the county where your mother resided. They might be able to assist you in providing info as to whether this management team is legit as well as to see if your mother's rights are being trampled. Best of luck.

 

[Beachwineguy]

Living here on the west coast of Florida, I always hear commercials for Morgan & Morgan. They seem like ambulance chasers, but they have offices around the state, including Orlando. They seem to be mostly injury/malpractice lawyers, but it looks like they do some real estate law as well.
https://www.forthepeople.com/business-litigation-lawyers/real-estate/
It would at least give you someone that may be able to point you in the right direction. Hope it helps.

 

[Big 0]

Living here on the west coast of Florida, I always hear commercials for Morgan & Morgan. They seem like ambulance chasers, but they have offices around the state, including Orlando. They seem to be mostly injury/malpractice lawyers, but it looks like they do some real estate law as well.
https://www.forthepeople.com/business-litigation-lawyers/real-estate/
It would at least give you someone that may be able to point you in the right direction. Hope it helps.

They also paid 10 million in advertising to get the marijuana legislation passed in Florida because apparently they already set themselves up to profit in business related to legalizing marijuana. I would stay away from them as far as I could. They probably would assign you a brand new law school grad with no experience to the case.

 

[Delco Lion]

Google Mobile Home Park Owner law-lawyers for Orlando and Florida. There are lots that come up and should be easy to check them out. It appears to be a pretty big segment in real estate law in Florida. Get someone to help you navigate The Florida Mobile Home Act. Florida statue 723.

http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/lsc/documents/statutes/Ch723Printed.pdf

 

[BBrown]

Are you permitted to rent out the unit?
Family friend (Jim) owned a property with a shared driveway. The driveway was in bad shape and needed torn and re-cemented. Neighbor, however, refused to split the cost. Jim and neighbor went back and forth with Jim telling him he will rent it out or move if they don’t agree. Finally Jim found the dirtiest, most toothless person he knew and had him knock on neighbors door and inquired “I’m here to see Jim about his house for rent”. The neighbors quickly agreed to split cost.

LOL.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

THANKS, to all who replied. We found who I think is a great Real Estate attorney in Lakeland. He told us that the park could NOT prevent us from selling. We sold to a guy that was interested. The attorney wrote up a VERY EXTENSIVE contract that covered the mobile home and the lot that was in the park. When I read the contract I felt that it was $500.00 well spent. Once more thanks for all the advice. Back home in Iowa now.