Archive for category: News

Jeck Harris is pleased to announce that David Glickman is selected again this year as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2025. David was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star each year since 2020, which is an exclusive distinction provided to a small number of attorneys in each state, showing that David earned the respect of his peers as one of the top-rated attorneys in his area for business litigation, estate and trust litigation, and corporate transactions.

Florida’s Homestead laws provide significant benefits for homeowners. Designed to provide critical financial protection and security, these laws offer valuable tax exemptions and strong safeguards against creditors. It’s important to note, however, that these benefits come with specific restrictions—especially regarding inheritance and property transfer of which every homeowner should be aware.

Property Tax Exemption

Among the most notable benefits of Florida’s Homestead laws is the property tax exemption. This exemption enables homeowners to reduce the taxable value of their primary residence by up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, while an additional exemption of up to $25,000 applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000, excluding school taxes. There are additional exemptions available for specific groups, including veterans, surviving spouses, individuals with disabilities, seniors, first responders, and military personnel, among others.

In addition to this tax exemption, Florida’s “Save Our Homes” Amendment provides protection against rising tax burdens. For homes designated as homestead, property tax increases are capped at 3% per year or in line with the Consumer Price Index, whichever figure is lower, with certain exceptions. This significant safeguard means that even if market values soar dramatically, a homeowner’s tax obligation will only increase minimally.

Should homeowners choose to sell their homestead and acquire a new one, they may carry over a portion of any accrued tax savings—up to $500,000—to the new property. To qualify for this portability option, homeowners must establish a new residence on or before January 1 of the third tax roll year following the sale of their original property.

Creditor Protection

Another feature of Florida’s Homestead laws is broad creditor protection. In the event of financial difficulties, such as credit card or medical debt, the Homestead Exemption ensures that creditors cannot lien the property or force its sale to settle outstanding debts. This protection is among the strongest in the nation, playing a vital role in preserving the family home.

The Homestead Exemption not only protects homeowners during their lifetime but also extends to their beneficiaries upon the homeowner’s death. If the property is left to a certain class of beneficiaries, the Homestead Exemption remains in effect, safeguarding the home from creditors attempting to collect on the deceased’s debts. However, it’s important to note certain exceptions exist: Homestead properties remain vulnerable to claims relating to unpaid taxes, certain voluntary liens or encumbrances (such as mortgages), and obligations tied to home improvements or repairs.

Alienation, Devise & Descent

Florida’s Homestead laws also impose certain restrictions on the transfer of Homestead property, both during the homeowner’s life and after their death, primarily to protect spouses and minor children. Generally, homeowners cannot transfer Homestead freely if they are survived by a spouse or minor children. This provision ensures that family members do not lose their home and that the surviving spouse is adequately protected.

When Homestead is owned together by spouses, the surviving spouse inherits the entire property upon the death of the other spouse. If a homeowner passes away leaving a spouse and minor children, the spouse receives a life estate and descendants receive a remainder interest. Alternatively, the spouse may elect to inherit an undivided one-half interest in the property, with the children receiving the remainder. An improperly drafted transfer in a will or trust will be voided if it violates these restrictions.

In cases where a deceased homeowner is survived by a spouse and no minor children, they may only leave the Homestead to their spouse. However, if there are adult descendants, the same inheritance rules apply: the spouse receives either a life estate or an option for half interest, while the remainder goes to the descendants.

Only when a deceased homeowner is not survived by a spouse or minor children are they free to leave the Homestead to someone else. However, if the property is transferred to a non-heir, the Homestead Exemption is forfeited, allowing creditors to claim the property for the deceased’s debts. Contrastingly, heirs can inherit the property free from creditor claims.

Notably, homeowners cannot transfer or mortgage their Homestead without the participation of their spouse, further protecting the non-owner spouse.

While Florida’s Homestead laws provide valuable benefits—including property tax exemptions and creditor protections—it is crucial for homeowners to understand the restrictions related to inheritance and property transfers. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help you navigate these laws effectively, ensuring your rights and home are well-protected for the future.

BIOGRAPHY
Juanita Solis is an associate attorney at the Juno Beach law firm of Jeck Harris, specializing in estate planning, guardianships, probate and trust administration, and related litigation. A cum laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, Juanita is also a native of Colombia and fluent in Spanish.

We are pleased to announce exciting new changes taking place at the firm in 2025 and beyond. Reflecting the continued growth and evolution of our team of talented partners and professionals, Jeck, Harris, Raynor & Jones, P.A. will now be known simply as Jeck Harris, honoring our firm’s roots and 35 years of commitment to legal excellence, client satisfaction and service, along with our contemporary approach to providing guidance in the areas of real estate, estate planning and probate/trust administration, business entities, land use and development and litigation.

The continued dedication of our long-serving team of counselors, enhanced by our growing team of new attorneys, signifies a new chapter for Jeck Harris, marked by a fresh perspective upon meeting our clients’ needs and ensuring their prosperity. We look forward to continuing to provide the highest quality legal representation and building lasting relationships with our clients as we approach the half-century mark of our excellence and leadership in our community.

Please join us in celebrating this exciting new era.

*Re-printed, with permission, from the Economic Council of Palm Beach County.

“What we do with the rest of our lives is of critical importance.” That profound message hangs on the back of Dave Markarian’s office door. It’s a reminder to prioritize his goals, values, and actions.” I am an optimist, driven to succeed, give back to my community, and mentor others, as others have done to me.”

He has, and continuously does just that. Dave’s law firm helps companies of all sizes, including Fortune 500’s, solve their challenges, guiding many, from start-up to grown-up, for both business and life. “I provide value through advocacy and counsel in challenging legal, governmental, business, regulatory, energy, and technology arenas. We also work alongside coalitions of small businesses, senior corporate leadership, and elected officials to drive profitability at marginal cost and risk, generating win-win outcomes.”

He is a fighter at his core. “I grew up in Miami in the 70s and early 80s, and the whole environment of my youth was winning. Don Shula and the Miami Dolphins had the perfect season, the Miami Hurricanes were winning championships. I remember one day as a young law student sitting in the courtroom watching a trial, and I knew right then and there that I wanted to litigate.” At one point, he won ten trials in a row, but then that streak came to a halt. “I felt so horrible that I never wanted to lose again, and I went on to win nearly every case I have tried since that time. I obsess about winning and getting the best outcomes for my clients.”

Dave and his team take a compassionate approach to their clients’ needs, focusing on transparency, efficiency, and, most importantly, integrity. “My team would say I am a hands-on, supportive leader who leads with praise. I remind them, and often myself, that our goal is to be better today than we were yesterday. Daily improvement is the goal.”

That belief in improving life for his team and the community led him to join The Economic Council of Palm Beach County six years ago. “I knew it was one of the most influential groups in the community, and I knew that service with the Council was actually service. It was not a marketing group. It is a group that studies things and gets things done. We have come to be known as a purpose-driven organization, in which we choose to work on things because we care. It adds another dimension to our image. We’re not there to hand out business cards. We’re there to study things and see where we can improve them.”

He believes several critical issues need to be addressed for Palm Beach County to maintain a strong economy. “Climate change is one of the most pressing problems facing our state. It threatens our way of life and our tourism, agricultural, and business interests. I’ve spent nearly a third of my professional life focused on issues and initiatives related to renewable energy development and energy independence. One of our strongest members of the Council, and in our community, NextEra, is the leading thought leader in this realm.”

Workforce housing, he says, is another challenge. “Affordable housing is an issue in almost every hire. Whether we are soliciting talent from Martin County or convincing people that they can afford to relocate here and find affordable, comfortable rentals, it’s a real obstacle. Home ownership is almost out of the question for young people entering the workplace. And this isn’t just a workplace problem for the members of the Council. It is also a quality of life issue for us all. We all think of the day when our children and grandchildren may consider coming back to live and work in our community. Will they be able to afford to put down roots? It doesn’t look promising.”

Dave also sees education as a vital concern we must address. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Dave first began influencing change as Chair of the Board of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. “I learned through attending Economic Council meetings how uneven education is. With the help of fellow leaders at our Chamber, we lit a fire and shined a spotlight on opportunities that were just beginning to get focus and traction, such as developing an incredible network between the schools, their principals, and the Chamber. This prompted questions about how the business community can assist with education, mentorship, and real participation. We also took advantage of Junior Achievement’s “Principal for a Day” program, which allows business leaders to see first-hand the challenges that our schools face. That awakening allowed us to better support scholarships for students and teachers to enhance their commitment to education. As an example of progress, we raised 4 times more funding for scholarships from one year to the next through our Palm Beach North Education Foundation.”

Dave’s next leadership opportunity will be as Chair of the Board of Directors of CareerSource Palm Beach County, which is dedicated to job and career placement, training and retraining. Nothing is more important to our fellow neighbors than the dignity that comes from a decent job and self-determination. Dave also strives to bring people together in a purposeful way. “We need to return civility to the forefront of our public discourse. We are far more alike than we are different, and we need to take time to understand and acknowledge differing points of view and what drives respected people to think differently than we do. Civility is something that drives me. Brotherhood and sisterhood. Working with one another to engage in civil discourse needs to make a renaissance.”

Reflecting on his 35-year-plus career, Dave had plenty of advice for his younger self. “I would start early on in my career do something about issues that bothered me and get involved to make a difference. I would live my life purposefully – beyond my work – to be present and aware while making sure to laugh and have fun making new friends, and I would take good care of myself.

One could say that he has had his own personal renaissance. He is involved with many local organizations, and when we spoke, he was on his way to help build a home for Habitat for Humanity, another one of the organizations he cares deeply about, and also serves on the Board of. “Habitat for Humanity provides more than a physical structure. They offer security, stability, and progress. There is so much gratitude, pride, and a real sense of community that comes for both those volunteering to help build a home, and in helping the new homeowner.”

The renewed belief in a brighter future that the new homeowner feels also pushes Dave. He embraces continued growth, finding inspiration from the book “Mindset” by Carol Dweck. “You must avoid falling into the trap that your learning years are behind you. The book teaches us that the brain is like a muscle. The more I use my brain and learn, the better it is for my brain as I age. It gives me joy to learn new concepts and ideas. This book changed my life because it made me realize that the next 50 years of my life will be informed by learning, rather than coasting on the ideas that currently rattle around in my head.”

After all, “What we do with the rest of our lives is of critical importance.” It is a wake-up call for many, but for Dave, it’s his commitment to reflect on what truly matters while leaving a meaningful legacy of positive contributions and impact for others to emulate.

https://members.economiccouncilpbc.org/conversations/Details/beyond-the-law-228404