Live Seminars & Fundinars

Our seminars have been designed specifically for the enhancement of your practice and cover a wide spectrum of topics:

Live Seminars $50.00 for Members & Staff $125.00 Non-Members Note: All Live Seminars are scheduled for 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. In Search of a Probate Paradigm (It's about time) Course Description   05/22/2012   Dunedin Register   05/23/2012   Tampa Register   05/24/2012   Ft. Myers Register   06/05/2012   Port Orange Register   06/06/2012   Port St. Lucie Register   06/07/2012   Miami Register   Distressed Residential Property Transactions, Short Sales, Deeds in Lieu, REOs Course Description   06/26/2012   Miami Register   06/27/2012   Ft. Lauderdale Register   06/28/2012   W. Palm Beach Register   07/10/2012   Ft. Myers Register   07/11/2012   Tampa Register   07/12/2012   Orlando Register   Meeting Commitment Requirements & Deleting Exceptions) Course Description   07/24/2012   Miami Register   07/25/2012   Ft. Lauderdale Register   07/26/2012   W. Palm Beach Register   07/31/2012   Ft. Myers Register   08/01/2012   Tampa Register   08/02/2012   Orlando Register           Legal Education Quality and Service Guarantee

Live Fundinars $20.00 for Members & Staff $40.00 Non-Members The Quality Assurance Review, "Now That's a Horse of a Different Color" (Free for Members - Not availabe to Non-Members) Course Description 06/20/2012 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Register   06/21/2012 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register       Dealing with Distressed Real Estate Course Description   05/22/2012 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register   05/23/2012 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register   06/04/2012 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register   06/07/2012 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register   06/08/2012 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Register   06/18/2012 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register   06/19/2012 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Register       Harness the Power of Florida’s New Power of Attorney Law in Real Estate Transactions Course Description 06/12/2012 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Register   06/13/2012 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register       Liens, Liens, Everywhere a Lien Course Description 06/25/2012 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register   06/28/2012 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register 07/13/2012 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register       Culling Your Files:  Efficient & Effective File Destruction Course Description 07/10/2012 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register   07/11/2012 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Register   07/17/2012 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Register   07/20/2012 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register   07/25/2012 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register   07/26/2012 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register

2012 Live, In-Person Seminars:

These seminars usually cost less per credit hour than anywhere else, and come with our Legal Education Quality and Service Guarantee. They also are approved for CLER credits by The Florida Bar, the Florida Department of Insurance, and the National Association of Legal Assistants.

In Search of a Probate Paradigm (It's about time)

Probate questions and concerns can arise in a variety of circumstances. The death of an owner appearing in the back chain of title may be devoid of necessary supporting documentation. A current transaction may depend upon the placement in the record of sufficient evidence to support a conveyance by a personal representative, or by survivors, free of creditor claims and estate tax liens. One may be called upon to "clear things up" after the death of a loved one even when a current sale is not anticipated. In Search of a Probate Paradigm is a three-hour seminar which presents a logical procedure that can be used to address marketable title issues related to the conveyance of property once owned by a resident or non-resident decedent. Beginning with an analysis of issues related to interests that terminate at death, it will explore the nuances of ancillary administration, summary administration, formal administration, judgments against decedents, homestead, and Florida and federal estate tax concerns. Within each module will be a discussion of how time can heal more than just a broken heart. This is a "basic skills" seminar designed to serve the needs of transactional practitioners who do not regularly become involved in probate matters or estate planning services. This seminar is approved for continuing education with The Florida Bar, NALA, and DFS.

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Distressed Residential Property Transactions, Short Sales, Deeds in Lieu, REOs

A daunting array of emerging and evolving issues confront attorneys who represent property owners in economic distress. Because real estate lawyers must face the reality of an abnormally high number of distressed property transactions for the foreseeable future, this seminar tackles the subject matter holistically. Covered scenarios include refinancing, modification, short sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure and REO closings. Counsel for stakeholders have many issues to consider when advising clients, choosing among various property disposition (or acquisition) alternatives. This seminar covers the dimensions of distressed residential property transactions from intake through closing, including various government programs and title insurance issues. It is designed for both novices and experienced practitioners. For those who may not have previous exposure to the federal programs, the handout materials include relevant resources relating to HARP, HAMP, HAFA, and Fannie Mae's Deed for Lease program. For experienced practitioners, the focus of the live presentation moves beyond these materials into FIRPTA (relating to short sales), advising clients concerning the applicability of The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, and new FTC rules governing debt counseling. The expanded ethical component (1 hour) will focus on the nature and extent of the relationship(s) the attorney has to the various parties involved in a distressed residential real property transaction. Because of the constantly evolving nature of distressed residential real property transactions, the seminar content will evolve throughout the year. This seminar is approved for continuing education with the Florida Bar, NALA, and DFS.

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Meeting Commitment Requirements & Deleting Exceptions

The title insurance commitment plays a significant role in the closing of real estate transactions and can be a vital part of your journey to closing and issuance of the title insurance policy. This practical seminar examines and explains how to draft and meet the most commonly encountered Schedule B-I requirements and how to delete standard specific exceptions by complying with Fund guidelines and procedures. During the seminar, a Title Search Report and contract will be examined and translated into their relevant Schedule A statements, Schedule B-I requirements, and Schedule B-II exceptions. The Fund Title Notes, Standard Commitment Clauses, and Affidavit Practice Manual play a crucial role in preparing the commitment and deleting exceptions and will be used throughout the seminar as a reference. Popular endorsement forms will be reviewed, including their proper use and coverage, as well as significant changes between the ALTA 1992 and ALTA 2006 commitment forms. This seminar is approved for continuing education with The Florida Bar, NALA, and DFS.

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2012 Live Fundinars (Web-based learning):

In June 2011, The Fund launched a new method of web-based learning called the "Fundinar". Fundinars are presented live on specific dates and times. You can participate from your office by logging onto a website and dialing a conference call number for the audio portion of the presentation. The Fundinars are one hour in length and qualify for CLER with the Florida Bar. Some topics also qualify for CLE with NALA and DFS.

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The Quality Assurance Review, "Now That's a Horse of a Different Color"

Colloquial expressions, such as the one heard in The Wizard of Oz, help us to appreciate that there are different ways to look at things. Recognizing that the announcement of an audit is received much like an unexpected summons to the principal's office, calling an audit a Quality Assurance Review (QAR) has the benefit of suggesting a positive and affirming exchange. The Fund's version of an audit is worlds apart from the greatly feared and much maligned IRS procedures. Typically, the QAR is a minimally invasive inquiry and analysis; nothing more than a minor intrusion into workday schedules. Members who are reasonably organized, and in compliance with Florida Bar rules on trust account management, will take these reviews in stride. They will experience a valuable affirmation of their practices as well as respect for the procedure which informs and protects all Fund members. The Fundinar will acquaint members with the types of audits which are performed and the regulatory requirements which govern them. Members will learn best practices in the proper handling and maintenance of files, trust accounts, and office management. The presentation will focus upon the relevant rules of the Florida Bar Association, the logistics of preparing for a QAR, the manner in which a review is conducted in cooperation with a law office, and the suggestions, recommendations and requirements which follow a Quality Assurance Review. This Fundinar is presented FREE of charge to Fund Members in light of the importance of communicating the purpose of a Quality Assurance Review. The Fundinar is approved for 1 ethics credit with the Department of Financial Services and NALA and 1 general credit and .5 ethics with The Florida Bar.

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Dealing with Distressed Real Estate

Distressed real estate transactions have continued to dominate the discussion of Florida's homeownership market. For the real estate practitioner, understanding the complexities of such transactions is a vital part of practice today – whether representing sellers of underwater properties or potential purchasers at a short sale. In this ever evolving marketplace, property owners need guidance on the various alternatives available when faced with distressed property ownership, including refinancing, loan modifications, short sales, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, bankruptcy, and defending the foreclosure action. Such guidance includes the stringent document production requirements for application to lender specific and government sponsored relief programs, potential tax and deficiency implications when selling the property, and managing expectations of potential purchasers at a short sale. This one hour Fundinar focuses on the various programs and alternatives that need to be discussed with clients that own distressed property. This Fundinar is approved for 1.0 general credit and 0.5 ethics with the Florida Bar and 1 hour of continuing education by NALA. 

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Harness the Power of Florida’s New Power of Attorney Law in Real Estate Transactions

Florida's new Power of Attorney statute has effected broad changes in what can be accepted as a Power of Attorney for use in real estate closings and in the need to reject a Power of Attorney in a timely manner. Find out how to implement the new statutes in your real property practice. The Fundinar is approved for 1 hour of general CLE credit from The Florida Bar, and 1 hour of continuing education by NALA.

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Liens, Liens, Everywhere a Lien

This webinar focuses on commonly occurring liens to real property, including judgment liens, homeowners' and condominium association liens, federal tax liens, and code enforcement board and municipal liens. Particular attention will be paid to assessing the validity of liens filed in the public records and clearing those liens from the contemplated title insurance policy. The webinar will begin with a discussion of the affect of Florida's constitutional homestead provisions on the enforceability of various liens on homestead property. A discussion of Florida's judgment lien law in Chapter 55, Florida Statutes, will follow. Discussion will center on the following: creation of judgment liens, duration and extension of the lien, and priority and satisfaction of the lien, including satisfaction by third parties. Next, the webinar will discuss federal tax liens, including their creation and duration. Special focus will be paid to their applicability to homestead and tenancy by the entireties properties. This is followed by a discussion of homeowners' and condominium association liens, including their creation and duration. Issues with respect to the priority of such liens will be discussed, including the necessity to consult association documents for special provisions surrounding the priority of such liens to first mortgages. Association joinder requirements in foreclosure actions will also be addressed. The last item will be code enforcement board and municipal liens, including the priority of such liens. The creation and duration of such liens will be discussed, as set forth in Chapter 162, Florida Statutes, in addition to subordination issues in mortgage foreclosure actions with respect to such liens. The recent case, City of Palm Bay v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 57 So. 3d 226 (Fla. 5th DCA 2011) will be discussed, including its elimination of the super-priority of code enforcement liens and its certification to the Florida Supreme Court as a question of great public importance. The Fundinar is approved for 1 hour of general CLE credit from The Florida Bar, and 1 hour of continuing education by NALA.

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Culling Your Files: Efficient & Effective File Destructionn

Client files are valuable resources which enable a law office to accomplish a mission: the successful and satisfactory representation on a matter presented to it. It is inevitable that once the mission is complete, a time will come when a client's file is little more than the occupant of valuable law office space. So the question arises: when can I destroy a client file? While the answer will depend upon a variety of factors, if an effective office policy is in place when the file is created, the decision to destroy, and the manner of destruction will be little more than an administrative action. This one-hour Fundinar will cover the creation, assemblage, maintenance, culling, and destruction of paper files. It will suggest a procedure to guide one in preparing a written office policy on file destruction that will make such a practice routine and efficient. Statutory and practical constraints on destroying files will be reviewed as will safeguards related to digital storage of such matters. Particular attention will be paid to steps that can be taken to avoid last-minute hitches to the plan. One hour of continuing legal education credit is expected.

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Legal Education Quality and Service Guarantee

If the seminar/Fundinar you attend proves unsatisfactory in any way, we will give you your choice of a full credit against a future Legal Education department seminar or Fundinar; or a refund.  We will promptly respond to your needs and inquiries about seminars/Fundinars, and if we do not respond to your satisfaction, the next seminar or Fundinar you attend is on us.

To make a claim under the Guarantee, notify us in writing within one week after the seminar or unsatisfactory response. Claims may also be initiated by Legal Education personnel who discover unfavorable seminar evaluations.

For more information, please contact the Education Registrar or call (888) 407-7775.