Questions and Answers with Dennis
I have been operating out of the Homestead and greater area of Miami-Dade since 1979 and have helped many families and people over the years while building great lasting relationships with the majority of my clients.
Click on each question below or scroll down.
1. How long have you been practicing in Homestead?
2. What types of services do you offer?
3. When should someone hire an attorney? When should someone NOT hire an attorney?
4. Mistakes you’ve seen made when it comes to legal situations? What should be done instead?
5. Are there any myths or misguided assumptions about the legal industry and toward attorneys?
6. What should someone look for when hiring an attorney for the first time?
7. What warning signs do you think someone should be aware of that indicate that they should be looking for a different attorney?
8. What advice would you give to people that have recently graduated from law school or are going to graduate soon?
9. What type of law would you practice if retired and money was no longer an object?
1. How long have you been practicing in Homestead? (Go to top)
I have been an Attorney in Miami-Dade County since 1978. Homestead and South Dade have been my main location of operation since 1979, however, I also have a meeting room for my clients in the Kendall area. I have had my own law office since 1984 and I liked being self-employed because it allowed me to take time to be present at all children’s school events and other family activities. One of the great things about having clients from Homestead to Kendall area is that I have had an opportunity to meet and help all types of people from all walks of life.
2. What types of services do you offer and what makes up the majority (volume) of your business? (Go to top)
Probating of Estates – Helping family members take the necessary steps in probate court proceedings in order to obtain legal title to assets owned by someone who has passed away. If someone passes away owning real property and other assets, the surviving family members can contact me to educate them on who inherits those assets under Florida law.
Estate Planning – Preparation of Wills, Living Wills, and Health care Directives. Educating people on the different ways to own assets so that their surviving family members can minimize probate costs and shorten the time period for the heirs to take ownership of the assets.
Landlord tenant matters – Lease Preparations and Tenant Evictions for investors and landlords. I help Owners who have tenants who fail to pay rent and my clients have the benefit of all the knowledge that I have gained in representing landlords for over thirty years.
Real Estate – Reviewing Contracts and Closing Statements and preparation of Deeds and other documents required of Sellers in order to sell real property and representing Sellers at Closing.
Family Law – When contacted by a person who wants a divorce I assist them in reaching an understanding with the other spouse as to the division of assets and I then draw up a proposed written Settlement Agreement that resolves all issues and claims between the Husband and Wife. I also prepare all other documents and papers that need be filed with the court in order to proceed with an uncontested dissolution of their marriage and I attend the final court hearing with my client.
3. When should someone hire an attorney? When should someone NOT hire an attorney? (Go to top)
It is to your benefit to always hire an attorney with extensive real estate experience before signing a contract to buy or sell a home in order to ensure that the proposed contract contains language that protects you, whether you are a seller or a buyer. All too often people are surprised at the closing table with expenses that they did not anticipate and many times seeking advice from an experienced attorney before you sign a proposed contract can result in eliminating certain expenses. Remember, the signed contract controls who pays for the various closing costs involved. These “surprises at closing” happen much more than you would care to imagine. Typically it is the uninformed who proceed without an attorney that get taken advantage of.
It is also to your benefit to hire an attorney if you are thinking about having a Will drafted. The goal should be to make it as easy as possible for your intended heirs to obtain ownership of your assets after you die, and to ensure that your assets go to the intended heirs and no one else. I have been asked from to time to help families determine who inherits various assets under a poorly drafted Will and therefore I urge people to have a proper Will drafted by an experienced attorney. Not having a will, or buying Will forms off the internet or from an office supplies store or not using clear legal language in a Will can result in leaving many decisions up to the State’s law as to who will actually inherit your assets. Protect your assets your wishes and don’t leave it up to someone’s interpretation as to what you really intended. You worked hard for your assets and in the end you do not want to leave a complicated problem for your family.
4. What are the biggest mistakes you’ve seen uniformed people make when it comes to legal situations and what should they be doing instead? (Go to top)
Biggest mistakes I’ve seen time and time again is failing to consult with an experienced attorney prior to making major legal decisions such as buying or selling a home. All too often people think that all they have to do is rely on all the information that non-lawyers are providing. Unfortunately, people tend to view an attorney as just an expense to avoid. Many of us attorneys are really there to help you and are dedicated to provide you with solutions so that in the end you can have peace of mind. The attorney-client relationship is a special relationship because it is built slowly over time where you learn to trust and have faith in the attorney you have chosen to assist you. Think of me, and attorneys like me, as your personal family attorney who can educate you and guide you through various legal matters. I am here to protect you and make sure you are not taken advantage of by someone who does have legal counsel. Solo attorneys like me rely 100% on repeat business, so without gaining the trust and appreciation of my past clients I would probably not be here today.
Another misconception is failing to realize that hiring an attorney should be thought of as an investment and not a cost, and taking the right legal action generally results in achieving the best possible outcome while minimizing your final, including legal, expenses.
5. Are there any myths or misguided assumptions about the legal industry and toward attorneys? (Go to top)
“It’s always about the money!” “I got it from the internet so I assumed the paperwork was OK!” I bought a home once, so I can do it by myself…! I don’t need an attorney.”
Unfortunately, Hollywood has found that it is easy to sell Movies and TV shows that are gossipy and full of drama that do not give a true picture of the benefits that attorneys actually provide to their clients. The movies and TV shows make all attorneys out to be crooks, thieves, arrogant, selfish and thoughtless people. Every profession and service industry has its share of “bad apples” out there but most families can locate an attorney who will put the clients’ interests first and provide helpful, practical advice along the way.
6. What should someone look for when hiring an attorney for the first time? (Go to top)
This one is easy. Talk! Get to know the attorney you are thinking about hiring. When you start out, never be afraid to talk with a couple of attorneys and ask each one questions like how long they have been practicing, what type of experience they have in the particular legal matter you are seeking help about. Probe until you feel comfortable and reassured that the attorney has thoughtful and responsive answers and has a genuine interest in helping you. In the process, you can educate yourself on issues that you may not have been aware of, all the while paying attention to which attorney returns your calls in a timely fashion, which attorney seems genuinely interested in helping you, and most importantly, which attorney seems capable of explaining things to you in simple language that you can understand as this demonstrates qualified experience. Also remember that you are the client and observe how the attorney treats you and makes you feel as a person.
7. What warning signs do you think someone should be aware of that indicate that they should be looking for a different attorney? (Go to top)
I would say if you feel your needs are not being met in a timely manner, if you feel like you are not your attorney’s priority, or if you feel that your attorney is unorganized. Pay attention to whether or not the attorney promptly provides you with copies of paperwork prepared on your behalf or paperwork filed with the court on your behalf. A major warning sign is if the attorney fails to respond promptly to your telephone calls or written inquiries. Many legal issues are time sensitive matters and therefore if your attorney repeatedly fails to respond to you in a timely manner, it may be a warning sign that your legal rights may not be protected or some legal right or remedy could be inadvertently waived or lost forever.
8. What advice would you give to people that have recently graduated from law school or are going to graduate soon? (Go to top)
Best advice to law students: seek any type of summer employment with a law firm each and every summer even at low pay rates. Gaining real world experience in a law firm is worth so much more than just learning the “theory” behind various laws. Gaining experience at a law office will provide a student with the marketable skill set that will differentiate you from other law students and allow you to appeal to more potential employers. Therefore it is important to obtain as much experience as possible while in law school so that as you approach graduation you will have marketable skills and a perhaps a “foot in the door” at a law firm.
I’ll share with you the best advice that I was given by an attorney during my first semester in law school and that is to question your motives for enrolling in law school. If all you can think of is “it’s for the money” or “thought I would just continue going to college” then you may not end up enjoying life as an attorney. It is important to develop higher valued motivations and goals otherwise the drive to just be in it just for the money may not in the end be very satisfying. If a person enjoys the idea of find solutions to legal problems then such an attitude would help you get through the stressful times of being an attorney such as meeting deadlines and working long hours, all the while searching for new clients and keeping up to date on all the changes in the law and running a business. Remember that just because you are going to law school to become an attorney does not automatically mean you will be happy with the legal profession or become a wealthy person. In reality you will be no better than the people you will be serving: a human being with feelings, wants, and the need to enjoy what you do for a living.. And hopefully along the way you will have earned the respect of clients because your clients had come to learn that you take pride in helping others solve their legal problems. Remember that.
9. What type of law would you practice if retired and money was no longer an object? (Go to top)
If I didn’t have to charge I’d continue to do what I’m doing now but instead I would refocus and streamline my law practice toward representing the elderly on fixed income and families that cannot afford representation. Some legal problems put people at risk of losing their homes and other property and assets. I would not be able to solve everyone’s problems, but I could be selective and seek out those who I think would be greatly deserving of all the knowledge that I have accumulated.