Sebring: 863.385.1549 – Lake Placid: 863.465.2811

Practice Areas at Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A.

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You are here: Home / News from Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A.

Agricultural Law

Many Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. attorneys have rich histories in Central Florida agriculture. Our attorneys understand the agricultural industry and its importance to Florida’s economy. Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. represents a wide variety of individuals and companies in the agricultural industry and it is the goal of our firm to provide unparalleled legal representation to our agricultural clients.

 

Our attorneys take time to understand our clients’ needs and objectives with regard to their particular situation.  Our attorneys are familiar with a vast array of specific agricultural enterprises, such as cattle, citrus, sod, mining, and timber, among many others.  Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. strives to offer the most practical and efficient solutions to your matters.

 

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. offers full service agricultural law representation including drafting, and negotiating contracts, providing advice on employment matters and environment concerns, and closing the purchase and sale of agricultural properties, among many other services.

 

Business Law and Corporate Litigation

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A.’s commercial litigation practice encompasses all aspects of the commercial relationship, including the creation of the business entity, disputes involving the Uniform Commercial Code, contracts, business dissolutions, buyouts, and other financial arrangements.

 

Our attorneys are experienced in matters involving management and corporate control issues, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder appraisal rights, contract disputes, employment agreements, covenants not to compete, financial transactions, and insurance coverage disputes.  Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. also represents partnerships, partners, and sole proprietors in similar types of commercial litigation.

 

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. prides itself on its ability to handle complex business and corporate matters, from the birth of the business entity, until its winding down and dissolution.

 

Contract Disputes

Unfortunately, not all contractual relationships end as planned.  A once thriving contractual relationship can unravel quickly when the expectations of one party or another are not met.  Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. attorneys are prepared to handle these matters in any variety of disputes.

 

When disputes arise, we work to find solutions to enforce your rights or minimize your obligations.  Our goal is to resolve the contractual issue in a manner that is efficient, expeditious, and economically sound.

 

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. attorneys can assist you with all contractual disputes, from basic contract enforcement and collections to very complex contractual actions.

 

Construction Law and Mechanic’s Lien Law

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. has experience in all aspects of construction law and mechanic’s lien law.  Our attorneys are prepared to provide complete advice and support to the owner, general contractor, subcontractor, or supplier in all legal aspects of construction, from the initial drafting of the contract, through contract administration, to post-construction litigation and dispute resolution.

 

Landlord/Tenant Matters

Whether you are a landlord with residential or commercial properties or a tenant in a commercial space, Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. can provide you with highly experienced and knowledgeable legal guidance regarding any landlord/tenant matter.

 

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. represents commercial and residential landlords and commercial tenants in all landlord/tenant matters from drafting the lease to eviction proceedings.  Our firm’s goal is to protect the rights of each party and aggressively pursue resolution of any legal dispute.

 

Local Government

The attorneys of Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. have a long history of representing local governments.  Currently, Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. represents the City of Arcadia, the City of Sebring, the Town of Lake Placid, the Sebring Airport Authority, the Highlands County Health Facilities Authority, and the Highlands County Hospital District.

 

Further, our attorneys have acted as issuer’s counsel on billions of dollars in public and private placement bond issues.

 

Our vast experience in local government law also allows Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. to represent private clients in matters before county commissions, planning and zoning boards, water management districts, regional planning councils, and various dependent and independent special districts (including community redevelopment agencies, fire districts, and drainage districts), among other governmental entities

 

Medicaid Planning and Long-Term Care Solutions

For the Medicaid Program to pay for in-home care, assisted living, or skilled nursing facility costs, individuals must meet three criteria:

 

  • Be aged or disabled;
  • Have a medical need; and
  • Have a financial need.

 

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. attorneys and staff help clients meet that third criteria, the financial need requirement.  Proper planning can help the applicant qualify for Medicaid, even if the applicant’s income exceeds the Medicaid Income Cap and their assets exceed the Medicaid Asset Limit.

 

The attorneys at Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. work with clients to develop personalized plans to fit each client’s individual needs.  If you or a loved one are moving into the next phase of life, whether to in-home care, assisted living, or a skilled nursing facility, talking to an attorney who is experienced in Medicaid planning can preserve assets for your family.

 

Please contact our Sebring office  for a Medicaid Planning consultation.

 

Community Associations

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. attorneys and staff help clients meet that third criteria, the financial need requirement.  Proper planning can help the applicant qualify for Medicaid, even if the applicant’s income exceeds the Medicaid Income Cap and their assets exceed the Medicaid Asset Limit.

 

Please contact our Sebring office  for a Medicaid Planning consultation.

 

Real Estate Disputes

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. attorneys have the experience and ability to handle real estate contract disputes, title defects, boundary line disputes, easement disputes, liens, foreclosures, and property tax appeals.  Unfortunately, not every real estate transaction ends up as planned and, sometimes, neighbors are not very “neighborly.”  These are examples of when you may need an attorney for your real estate dispute.

 

Disputes can arise as to whether a party has fulfilled its obligations prior to closing, whether a neighbor’s fence encroaches on your land, or whether you have quiet title to a piece of property.  Whatever the dispute, the attorneys at Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. will be able to consult with you regarding the most direct and cost effective method of solving the problem.

 

Real Estate Transactions

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. boasts a full service real estate transaction practice.  Our knowledgeable attorneys and experienced real estate staff provide cost-effective and high quality services for residential real estate transactions, including purchases and refinances, commercial transactions, and agricultural transactions.  Our attorneys regularly close a range of transactions from the very simple to very complex multi-million dollar transactions.

 

Conveniently located in Sebring and Lake Placid, our full service real estate transaction offices provide a complete range of services from negotiating, reviewing, and preparing the real estate contract to closing the transaction.

 

Our firm’s real estate clients include individuals, realtors, brokers, lenders, developers, and contractors.  Our attorneys’ broad range of experience makes Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. uniquely qualified to provide services suited to any client, whether a “first time” homeowner or advanced commercial land purchaser or seller.

 

The closing of a real estate transaction through Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. costs about the same as using a non-lawyer title agent.  However, with Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. you will receive additional peace of mind knowing that an experienced attorney is reviewing your file.  Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. attorneys will assist you in negotiating contracts, understanding closing documents, resolving title issues, and providing general legal advice regarding your transaction.

 

All real estate attorneys in our firm are approved to issue title insurance commitments and policies on behalf of Old Republic National Title Insurance Company and First American Title Insurance Company.  Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A.’s relationship with two title insurance providers insures that you receive the most comprehensive and cost-effective title insurance policy.

 

Trusts, Estate Planning, and Probate

Estate planning and administration is a dynamic process with phases that must harmonize with the client’s life cycle events, including births, marriages, divorces, financial changes, and death.

 

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A., undertakes to understand each client’s phases of life while offering a full range of estate planning services that provide professional guidance at each point in the life cycle.  Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A., attorneys are committed to being available to our clients and their families when they need us most.

 

Please contact the office most convenient to you for a consultation regarding Estate Planning, Trust or Probate Administration, or any type of Estate, Trust, or Probate dispute.

 

  • Estate Planning

Estate Planning can be as simple as a will that directs the distribution of your assets upon your death, or as complex as trusts that preserve wealth over several generations while minimizing taxes.  Our attorneys work with our clients to achieve our clients’ goals while making recommendations for minimizing income, gift, and estate taxes.

Our attorneys have experience with all estate planning tools, such as wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, charitable instruments, living wills, health care directives, and durable powers of attorney.  Our attorneys also stay on the cutting edge of new planning devices that become available and advisable under newly enacted laws.

  • Trust and Probate Administration

Personal representatives, trustees, and guardians often need professional guidance to adequately fulfill their legal duties and obligations.  Our attorneys can counsel fiduciaries and beneficiaries regarding the questions and concerns they have, address the sometimes complex and difficult issues they may face, and, when necessary, assist them in resolving disputes.

 

Probate administration is the process of transferring property at a person’s death.  Our attorneys are experienced in all aspects of probate estate administration, including full probate proceedings, summary administration, and ancillary estate administration for out-of-state residents who own property in Florida.

 

While probate administration can be complicated, we have the legal resources necessary to ensure that the administration of the estate is handled efficiently and with the compassion necessary to understand the effect of the process on the heirs after the loss of their loved one.

  •  Trusts, Estates, and Probate Litigation

The attorneys at Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. understand that the death of a loved one is a tense and emotionally draining event for a family.  Our attorneys have experience with representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of Trust, Estate, and Probate disputes including will contests, breach of fiduciary responsibility, and asset management disputes.

 

Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. strives to reach solutions that respect the final wishes of your cherished loved ones.  If you are involved in a probate dispute or will contest, it is imperative that you have an experienced attorney on your side so you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family.

 

Zoning and Land Use

The attorneys at Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. have over 30 years of experience representing clients before the Highlands County Planning and Zoning Board and the Highlands County Board of Adjustments.  Most local governmental entities have their own zoning departments.  Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A. attorneys are not only experienced in interpreting the Highlands County Zoning but also can represent clients in front of other regulatory bodies.

Land use questions most often involve problems with the use or development of property.  Swaine, Harris & Wohl, P.A., attorneys are qualified to work with local government in obtaining appropriate zonings for land use changes, if necessary.  Further, our attorneys can assist you in dealing with the land use regulations as they apply to your property or the property that you wish to acquire, including assisting you in any litigation that may arise.