Blogs & Resources

Many unit owners of properties within Florida’s condominium associations fail to realize that when they gain title to that property they are subjecting themselves not only to the Florida Statutes governing such associations but also to the association’s own rules and regulations. Moreover, many tenants, lessees and other occupants of association properties also fail to realize they are subject to such laws, rules and regulations by contracting to reside on the premises. Section 718.303, Florida Statutes, makes clear the obligations of unit owners and their tenants and provides for the remedies available to associations when such occupants break the rules. This blog post will provide a brief overview of Florida law concerning this issue.

It is common practice amongst practitioners in a contract dispute case to confirm the opposing party executed the essential documents to the transaction. Execution equals assent to the contract. But is the standard signature we think of, a cursive representation of our legal name, even necessary to create a contractual obligation? In reality, it is not. And lucky for us too because future generations may not even understand today’s concept of a signature.

The insurance requirements for condo associations and their unit owners have been codified by the Florida legislature within Section 718.111(11), Florida Statutes. What is important for interested parties to know is that the current Florida Statutes are controlling on the issue of property insurance requirements, regardless of what is contained within a condominium’s declaration or when it was recorded. In fact, the statute’s first sentence explains that, “this subsection applies to every residential condominium in the state, regardless of the date of its declaration of condominium.” Fla. Stat. § 718.111(11) (2013). Section 718.111(11), Florida Statutes, was amended in 2013, and this blog post is to provide interested parties with a high-level overview of the current insurance requirements of Florida’s condominiums and their unit owners.

Jacksonville, Fla. – October 31, 2013 – The law firm of Jimerson & Cobb, P.A., is proud to congratulate its partner, James O. “Joby” Birr, III, on his recent induction into the University of North Florida Athletics Hall of Fame. As a member of the Hall of Fame Class of […]

Featured in the October 2013 Issue Partner’s Perspective J&C Partner Inducted into UNF Hall of Fame J&C Celebrates Second Annual Mini-Golf Tournament New Law Blogs Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz Click to read.

Jimerson Birr, P.A. Managing Partner Charles Jimerson comments on fake death case in the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Section 718.113(5), Florida Statutes, governs the installation of various materials for hurricane protection that Florida’s condominium associations must abide by. Section 718.115(1)(e), Florida Statutes, governs the allocation of expenses for the hurricane protection installation. Both of these sections were amended by the Florida legislature in 2013. This blog is to provide a brief overview of the main provisions of these statutes in light of those recent changes.

There is a new trend rising within condominium and homeowners’ associations across the country, including Florida: online association voting. The reason for this trend is simple – it solves two major problems that associations constantly face: 1) the expense of utilizing physical forms; and, 2) poor voter turnout among the associations’ members. Online voting for associations takes the hassle out of the voting process, which improves overall turnout. It appears that allowing association to perform online voting seems a no-brainer. However, not every state legislature has kept pace with technology in this area of law. Florida is one state in which the law is lagging technology as Florida law is currently silent on the issue of association online voting. This presents a problem for a Florida association that wishes to improve the experience of its members while also ensuring it is abiding by the law.

Alternative dispute resolution, or “ADR,” comes in many forms. Two of the most commonly used methods of ADR are arbitration and mediation.  Both of these ADR vehicles allow for resolution of disputes outside the public forum of the court system. Many people, including sophisticated businesspeople and even attorneys, do not […]

The Florida legislature has always given Florida’s condominium associations great flexibility to construct and maintain their own bylaws, rules and regulations in which to govern their communities. In exchange for that flexibility, the Florida Statutes, within Chapter 718, regulate the operation of condominium associations in certain areas. One such area involves the financial reporting requirements of Florida’s condominium associations, which is specifically governed by Section 718.111(13), Florida Statutes. In 2013, the Florida legislature changed and amended a few key aspects of Section 718.111(13), which Florida’s condominium associations must be cognizant of to ensure they remain compliant.