Eminent Domain + Property Law + Estate Planning and Asset Protection + Blockchain Solutions

Protecting Florida Property Rights while Navigating the Future of Digital Assets

We represent clients across Florida. Our approach combines traditional property law strength with forward-looking expertise.

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🕒 Same-day response ⚖️ Florida property-focused 🗺️ Statewide
  • Eminent Domain
  • Inverse condemnation & full compensation
  • Easements
  • Unrecorded easements & right-of-way solutions
  • Quiet title, boundary, and encroachment actions
  • Wills, Trusts, and Estates
  • N.F.A. Gun Trusts
  • Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Surrogates, Living Wills
  • Full Estate Planning Portfolios
  • Asset Protection Strategies
  • Elder Law and Medicaid Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust and Estate Administration
  • Condominium and Homeowners' Association Violations and Disputes
  • Housing Discrimination
  • Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  • Business Formation
  • Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Solutions for Individuals and Business Planning

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Practice Areas

Eminent Domain

Quiet Title

Easements & Rights-of-Way

HOA & Condominium Law

Estate Planning

Wills & Trusts

Elder Law

Asset Protection

Medicaid Planning

Trust and Estate Administration

Probate

Municipal Ordinance Violations

Landlord-Tenant

Digital Asset & Cryptocurrency Law

General Property Law

Manny R. Vilaret, Esq.

Prominent Florida eminent domain trial lawyer focused on condemnation proceedings across Florida.

Jack B. Jonas, Esq.

Florida Property Law attorney focused on estate planning, trusts and estates, general property law, and digital asset protection including cryptocurrency law.

Guides & Resources

Understanding Business Formation in Florida

LLCs, corporations, partnerships, compliance, and how Florida DAOs operate via existing entities.

Read Guide →

Understanding Eminent Domain in Florida

Pre-suit negotiations, quick-take, valuation, business damages, relocation, and access impairment.

Read Guide →

Understanding Easements in Florida

Implied and prescriptive rights, ways of necessity, MRTA issues, and practical fixes.

Read Guide →

Understanding Cryptocurrency & Blockchain in Florida

Compliance, securities/tax overlay, custody, and planning for estates & trusts.

Read Guide →

Understanding Estate Planning in Florida

Core documents, homestead, incapacity planning, titling/beneficiaries, and trusts.

Read Guide →

Understanding Medicaid Planning in Florida

Eligibility pathways, lookback & transfer penalties, exempt assets, income, and spousal protections.

Read Guide →

Florida Probate Calculator

Estimate probate estate value and presumed fee; includes a summary administration check.

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Florida Medicaid Calculators

Income cap & QIT check, MMMNA/spousal diversion, patient responsibility, home equity cap, divestment penalty, and countable resources.

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Estate Planning Calculators

Federal exclusion/DSUE exposure, gift planning, and basis step-up estimators (2025 defaults, editable).

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Florida Property, Business & Crypto FAQ

Eminent Domain Title, Deeds & MRTA Easements Estate & Probate Zoning & Covenants Taxes & Foreclosure Business Formation Crypto & Digital Assets

Eminent Domain

What does “full compensation” include in a Florida taking?

Fair market value of the property taken, plus severance damages to the remainder (if a partial taking), statutory interest, and in many cases owners’ fees and costs. See Our Eminent Domain Guide.

How is value determined in eminent domain cases?

By fair market value at the relevant valuation date (often the quick-take deposit date), using highest and best use and comparable sales. Juries resolve disputes. Learn more.

What is inverse condemnation?

A claim when government actions effectively take or substantially damage property without formally filing a case. Owners can sue for compensation. Details.

Are temporary construction easements compensable?

Yes—typically the rental value of use plus proven loss of use/impacts during the term. Guide.

What timelines apply in “quick-take” proceedings?

After a court sets a good-faith deposit and it’s paid, title/possession can pass quickly; you can still contest final compensation. Guide.

Can I challenge the necessity of the taking?

Necessity challenges are limited but possible (purpose/scope). Strong records early in pre-suit help. Pre-suit tips.

Can business damages be recovered in Florida?

Often for qualifying partial takings by certain agencies (e.g., FDOT) when an established business proves loss. How it works.

Title, Deeds & MRTA

What is a deed, and why does it matter?

It’s the instrument that transfers real-property title; the deed type controls the scope of warranties and risk allocation.

Warranty deed vs. quitclaim deed?

A warranty deed conveys title with seller warranties; a quitclaim transfers whatever interest the grantor has with no warranties.

What is marketable record title (MRTA)?

Florida’s MRTA can extinguish old interests after 30 years unless preserved; visible “easements in use” are a key exception. See Easements + MRTA.

What is title insurance and a title search?

A search reviews the public record; title insurance helps cover certain defects not discovered at closing.

How do I resolve boundary disputes or co-owner conflicts?

Through surveys, agreements, or litigation (e.g., quiet title/ declaratory actions; partition to force a sale/division if co-owners can’t agree).

What are mineral rights in Florida?

They can be severed from the surface; confirm reservations/leases in the chain of title.

Easements

What should I know about easements?

They grant use (access/utilities). Enforceability turns on notice and recording—some arise by law. Full Easements Guide.

What is an easement by necessity?

Access for landlocked parcels under statute/common law; compensation may apply. Learn more.

What is a prescriptive easement?

Open, notorious, continuous, adverse use for 20 years—strictly construed in Florida. Details.

Can easements be relocated?

Often only by agreement or court order—include relocation clauses when drafting. Drafting tips.

Estate Planning & Probate

What documents are essential to an estate plan?

Will, revocable trust (if used), durable POA, health care surrogate, living will, and HIPAA releases. Estate Planning Guide.

Can trusts hold Florida real estate?

Yes—commonly via a revocable trust for probate avoidance; coordinate homestead/spousal rules.

How do probate proceedings affect real estate?

Title passes through the estate unless already outside probate (trust, joint ownership, etc.). Probate Calculator.

Can property transfer without probate?

Yes—via trusts, certain joint ownership, beneficiary designations, and in Florida, enhanced life-estate (“Lady Bird”) deeds.

What are Florida homestead protections?

Constitutional protections plus devise/spousal rules—plan deeds/beneficiaries carefully. Homestead overview.

What is a life estate?

A right to use the property for life; remainder passes to named beneficiaries. Enhanced life-estate deeds retain control during life.

Can heirs sell inherited property before probate closes?

Typically, the personal representative must sign; after summary administration or deed-out, beneficiaries may sell. Get case-specific advice.

Zoning & Covenants

What are zoning and land-use laws?

Local codes govern use, density, and setbacks; some projects need variances or special approvals.

How do restrictive covenants affect property?

HOA/POA rules and recorded covenants can limit use or design; review before buying or building.

Property Taxes & Foreclosure

How are property taxes assessed—and what if I don’t pay?

Assessed annually with potential homestead exemptions; nonpayment can lead to tax certificates and a future tax deed sale.

How long does foreclosure take in Florida?

Florida is a judicial-foreclosure state; timelines vary (often many months) based on case and court congestion.

What is specific performance in real-estate contracts?

A court order compelling a party to close when money damages aren’t adequate—fact- and contract-dependent.

Can property be owned jointly?

Yes—tenants in common, joint tenancy with survivorship, or (for married couples) tenancy by the entirety.

Business Formation

How do I form an LLC or corporation in Florida?

Choose a name, appoint a registered agent, file on Sunbiz, get an EIN, open banking, and adopt an operating agreement/bylaws. Business Formation Guide.

When is an S-Corp election helpful?

For some owner-operators to manage employment taxes; confirm eligibility and work with your CPA.

Crypto & Digital Assets

Is cryptocurrency considered property?

For federal tax purposes, yes (property). Trading can trigger gains/losses; staking/mining is generally ordinary income. Crypto Guide.

How should my estate plan handle crypto?

Include explicit digital-asset powers, custody/key access instructions, and an inventory; consider trustee policies. Fiduciary access.

Can courts or creditors reach self-custodied crypto?

Courts can order turnover where legally authorized; maintain compliant records and follow orders—get counsel immediately.

How do Florida real-estate deals work with crypto?

Typically via conversion to USD or using escrow rails with clear volatility/AML terms. Compliance basics.

General information only—not legal advice. For tailored guidance, contact us.

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