Selzer LAW

05/02/2022

Great Information sent out today by Joseph Abruzzo, the Clerk of Court, Palm Beach County....JOSEPH ADVISES THAT .....

If you’re purchasing a new home in Palm Beach County – whether it’s your first time or you are upgrading or downsizing – the Clerk’s office has you covered with vital services to help protect your investment.

Our office has three easy-to-use resources to help protect your home from fraud and make sure that you aren’t overpaying for services. Florida is one of the hottest housing markets in the country, and criminals may use the fast sale of property as an opportunity to strike.

Here are some tips to consider as you settle into your new home.

Tip #1: Sign up for Property Fraud Alerts. After you’ve unpacked a few essentials, the first step to protecting your home is signing up for our free Property Fraud Alert system. This automated tool monitors your name in our Official Records system. Whenever a document is recorded in Palm Beach County, you will get an alert within 48 hours detailing what was recorded. It’s an important first step in staying vigilant and signing up is simple: Just register on our website with an email address.

Tip #2: Don’t overpay for a copy of your deed or other records. Many new homeowners receive official-looking notices that they can help you get certified copies of records of your property deed, or other records, for as much as $89 for their services. You can view these documents for free on our website’s Official Records Search Portal and get hard copies from our office for $1 per page. Certified copies are an additional $2, much less than what these businesses charge.

Tip #3: Know your options about your property’s value. Every August, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser notifies taxpayers of their property’s assessed and market values. If you feel the assessment, classification or exemption status for your property is not correct, you may file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board. Our office serves as Clerk to the VAB and is where you go should you choose to file a VAB petition.

The Clerk’s office congratulates you on your new home. Our team is committed to providing you with outstanding service and keeping you informed. We have five offices to serve you including locations in Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach and Belle Glade in addition to many services available online 24 hours a day. Sign up for our monthly newsletter and follow us on social media at to stay up to date on everything we have to offer.

Regards,

04/09/2020

The current coronavirus pandemic makes your current estate planning documents even more important. Typically, you would make arrangements with our office to sign your documents at your convenience; however, the signing of documents is more difficult due to your health, self-isolation, social distancing and quarantines imposed by the government. We must adapt and accommodate to the current ever-changing situation and government guidelines. In light of this pandemic, it is important to know that Trusts, Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Powers of Attorney, Living Wills and other estate planning documents have specific ex*****on requirements to make each document valid and enforceable. In Florida, testamentary formalities generally require witnesses, a notary and you to all be in the same room at the same time. Proper ex*****on of these documents is important should any be challenged due to undue influence, lack of capacity or other reasons. Typically, this is easily accomplished when we have the documents signed in our office, we provide the required witnesses, Notary Public and all of the required testamentary formalities required by Florida law. The big question now facing us is what we can do if these ex*****on requirements are not possible? The good news is we do have options. We are able to provide signing instructions with the documents and send them to you, or on a case by case basis, we will review whether we can safely accommodate a meeting practicing social distancing and following all guidelines to have your documents signed during this time. Florida HAS passed an Electronic Documents Act (HB 409 which will require video ex*****ons with designated qualified custodians of the actual video recording) and the law became effective January 1, 2020, but the Florida Department of State is still developing specific procedures for implementation and details have not yet been provided to the legal community. If you are concerned about your affairs this is a good time to make sure your documents meet your objectives and wishes and make a plan with us to have them executed. We are here for you.

Jeffrey Selzer, Esq.

06/04/2018

https://www.ml.com/articles/washington-update.html?pageurl=edward.cahill&socialite=8158_v6ssh2w7xk_3385_-1_1527875888847 -good-reason-to-review-your-estate-plans-now

How tax reform, budget negotiations and other legislative decisions could affect the markets and your financial life

03/16/2018

Selzer law has two furnished executive offices for lease within our suite. Access to conference room, kitchen, and other amenities. Perfect for a real estate, accounting, or law professional. Please call to inquire!