Habeeb v. Linder: Withdrawn!

On May 17, the 3rd District Court of Appeals issued an Order, upon its own motion, withdrawing its opinion for Habeeb v. Linder. The Habeeb decision, issued February 9, 2011, held that that a husband’s joint execution of a warranty deed with his wife, transferring the property to the wife alone, constituted a waiver of…

Read More

Florida Homestead Planning

There are many benefits under Florida law applicable to a Florida resident’s primary residence, also known as the resident’s “homestead.” This includes protection from general creditors, ad valorem tax benefits (i.e., homestead exemption and “Save Our Homes” protection) and rights of a surviving spouse (assuming he or she has not validly waived such rights in…

Read More

Homestead and Habeeb: Waiver of Spousal Rights by Warranty Deed

In a case of first impression, the Third District Court of Appeal of Florida issued an opinion in Habeeb v. Linder on February 9, 2011, finding that a warranty deed executed by Husband and Wife to only Wife constituted a waiver of all Husband’s spousal rights in the property, including spousal homestead rights. Although in…

Read More