BLOGS
Florida Deed Witness and Notary Requirements: Why Deeds Get Rejected at the Clerk
TL;DR: A Florida deed must be signed by the person transferring the property in front of two subscribing witnesses, and notarized. To be recorded, it also needs the printed name and post office address of every signer, every witness, the notary, the grantee, and the...
Florida Documentary Stamp Tax on Deeds: What a Deed Transfer Really Costs in Lee County
TL;DR: Florida charges documentary stamp tax on deeds at $.70 per $100 of consideration, or portion of $100, in every county except Miami-Dade. That tax is only one of three costs in a deed transfer. The other two are the Clerk of Court's per document recording charge...
Quit Claim Deed and Divorce in Florida: What to Sign, When, and the Tax Break Most People Miss
TL;DR: A Florida divorce judgment does not change your deed. If your marital settlement agreement says one spouse keeps the house, someone still has to prepare and record a deed transferring the other spouse's interest, and that is usually a quit claim deed. Two...
How to Remove Someone From a Deed in Florida (And When You Simply Cannot)
TL;DR: In Florida you remove a name from a deed by recording a new deed in which the person being removed signs away their interest, usually with a quit claim deed. You cannot remove a living co-owner without their signature. There is no form, no fee, and no clerk in...
How to Add a Name to a Deed in Florida (Cost, Taxes, and the Catch Nobody Mentions)
TL;DR: To add a name to a deed in Florida you do not amend the existing deed. You record a brand new deed, signed by the current owner in front of two witnesses and a notary, that conveys an interest to the person being added. Most Lee County homeowners use a quit...
Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Deed in Florida?
Do you need a lawyer to file a deed in Florida? See what a Lee County document preparer can do, and when to call an attorney instead.
How to Avoid Probate in Lee County, Florida: 3 Deed Options Compared
Compare three ways Lee County property owners avoid probate: Lady Bird deeds, quit claim transfers, and affidavits. Non-attorney guidance since 1997.
Mobile Home Title Transfer in Florida: A Step-by-Step Guide
Transferring a mobile home title in Florida? Learn the documents, the HSMV 82040 MH form, and common delays, plus how we help in Lee County.
What Is a Property Title Search in Florida? A Plain-English Guide
Wondering what a property title search in Florida covers? Lee County Document Preparation breaks down cost, timing, and what liens or issues it uncovers.
Affidavit of Surviving Spouse in Florida: What It Is and How to Get One Prepared
Losing a spouse is hard enough; clearing the title on your home shouldn’t be. Learn what a Florida affidavit of surviving spouse does and how it’s prepared.