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Renters’ Rights and Evictions

A tenant is the person who lives in a rented space. The landlord is the owner or manager of that rental space. If you pay rent to a landlord, you are a tenant. It does not matter whether you pay your rent weekly, monthly, or at other regular periods. It…

Family & Personal

Housing

Reverse Mortgage Foreclosures

A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), often referred to as a “Reverse Mortgage,” is a special type of home loan from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). A Reverse Mortgage allows you to withdraw some of the equity in your home. “Home Equity” is the value of your home minus the…

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Housing

Section 8 Housing – Project Based

Families of Project-Based Section 8 housing live in apartments owned by churches and other non-profits, as well as for-profit corporations and partnerships. These apartments are called “project-based” because the subsidy stays with the unit, not the family. So, when a family moves out, they lose the subsidy. Families apply directly…

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Housing

Security Deposit on Rental Homes

Under Florida Statute 83.43(14), “security deposit” is defined as: “any moneys held by the landlord as security for the performance of the rental agreement, including, but not limited to, monetary damage to the landlord caused by the tenant’s breach of lease prior to the expiration thereof.” The security deposit is money that…

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Housing

Shared Property without Marriage

This page is about your legal rights and responsibilities when you share property with someone who is not your spouse. This is called co-ownership, or joint tenancy. A person who co-owns property with someone is called a Joint Tenant. This information may be helpful for you to understand if you separate…

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Wills, Estates, & Powers of Attorney

Subsidized Housing for Elderly and Disabled People

The Section 202 Program offers supportive housing specifically for the elderly and disabled. Families of Section 202 housing live in apartments owned by churches and other non-profit organizations, as well as for-profit corporations and housing partnerships. Generally, only efficiency units or one-bedroom apartments are offered to eligible people or families. …

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Housing

Survivor Benefits of Veterans

Survivors of veterans who have passed away may be eligible for burial benefits, pension, or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). The only people who are considered survivors for VA benefits purposes are a spouse, child under the age of 18, or dependent parents.

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Military & Veterans

Unlawful Detainers to Remove Unwanted Occupant

When there is no agreement to pay rent, an unlawful detainer lawsuit may be filed by a property owner (or a person in lawful possession of the property) to recover possession of the property from an unwanted occupant. While unlawful detainers are very similar to ejectments, the unwanted occupant in…

Family & Personal

Housing

Veteran and Survivor Appeals

On February 19th, 2019, the VA appeals process changed. Now titled the “Decision Review Process,” anyone appealing a decision made on or after that date has 3 options to choose from: A Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, or a Board Review. Each of these options have their own forms and…

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Military & Veterans

Veterans’ Benefits

The most common benefits veterans may be eligible for are VA non service-connected pension and service-connected disability compensation. The eligibility requirements for these benefits are outlined on this page. Due to the complicated and sometimes lengthy nature of the VA claims and appeal process, it is highly recommended that you…

Family & Personal

Military & Veterans