Act Today to Support Tax Relief for Association Assessments

Jeffrey Damonte2016-03-24T16:09:33-04:00March 24th, 2016|News, Tips, Uncategorized|

On March 3, 2016, California Representatives Eshoo and Thompson introduced the Helping Our Middle-Income Earners Act, H. R. 4696, a bill that would allow homeowners in community associations – condominiums, housing cooperatives and homeowners associations – who earn $115,000 or less in annual income, to deduct up to $5,000 of their association fees and assessments from their federal tax liability.

The bill recognizes the financial inequity facing homeowners in a community association as they pay property taxes and community assessments but receive many municipal services from their community association not the municipality. The Act would lighten the financial burden of homeowners and make homeownership more affordable and attainable for more families.

To contact your Representative to urge him or her to support the Act, click here.

Associations: May 1, 2016 Deadline for Annual Reports Approaching

Jeffrey Damonte2016-03-11T10:56:45-05:00March 11th, 2016|News, Tips|

The deadline for corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships to file their 2016 annual reports with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations is May 1, 2016. If your association is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, the association must file its report by this date to remain active and avoid a $400.00 late fee. To file online, or for more information, visit the Division of Corporations website .

Family Gives Up Goat, 32 Other Animals Living in Mobile Home

Jeffrey Damonte2016-03-09T08:24:08-05:00March 9th, 2016|News|

CLINTON, Maine (AP) — A southern Maine family has given to Humane Society officials a pygmy goat, nine ducks, two ferrets and more than 20 other animals that lived with them inside their mobile home.

Animal Control Officer Chris Martinez tells the Morning Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1QulCwg) there were 33 animals including five rabbits, eight cats, two chinchillas, three parakeets and three finches.

Martinez says all the critters stayed inside the mobile home in Clinton except for the rabbits. He says they were all healthy despite living in less-than-ideal conditions.

The family consists of a woman and her two sons. They surrendered the animals on Tuesday and Wednesday and voluntarily signed them over. No charges will be filed.

March 1, 2016 Homestead Exemption Deadline is Fast Approaching

Jeffrey Damonte2016-10-17T11:15:24-04:00February 19th, 2016|Law, News, Tips|

Are you looking to claim the property tax homestead exemption for the 2016 tax year? Did you have legal or equitable title in the property as of January 1, 2016? Were you living in the property as your primary residence as of January 1, 2016?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, then you meet the criteria for claiming the exemption. The deadline for filing for the homestead exemption is TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016. Filing can be done online on the Pinellas County Appraiser’s Website, or you can visit one of their physical offices.

Attorneys Damonte and Peterson Present at People’s Law School

Jeffrey Damonte2016-02-11T15:32:56-05:00February 11th, 2016|News|

On Thursday, February 11, 2016, both Attorneys Jonathan Damonte and Erica Peterson will speak at the Clearwater Bar Association’s People’s Law School, which will be held at 7:00 pm at St. Petersburg College, 2465 Drew Street, Clearwater, Florida. Attorney Damonte will sit on a panel which will discuss community association law, including condominium law, homeowner association law and mobile home park law. Attorney Peterson will speak on insurance law.

Now in its 27th season, the program is a free legal education program for adults that focuses on increasing the general public’s knowledge of legal concepts that affect everyday lives. Pre-registration is not required and there is no homework. Classes are every Thursday night through the end of April 2016.

For more information, and to view the class schedule, see http://www.clearwaterbar.org/law.html, or email program chair Erica Peterson at epeterson@damontelaw.com.

Really? An Emotional Support Turkey?

Jeffrey Damonte2016-01-15T15:58:39-05:00January 15th, 2016|News|

Flying ruffles feathers about ’emotional support’ animals on planes

Action Needed to Prevent The Amateur Radio Parity Act

Jeffrey Damonte2016-10-17T11:15:27-04:00November 19th, 2015|Law, News|

The Amateur Radio Parity Act (S. 1685) is scheduled for mark-up in the Senate Commerce Committee on November 18. Your Senator serves on the Senate Commerce Committee and it is very important he/she hears from you today to oppose S. 1685.

In its current form, S. 1685 pre-empts community associations’ architectural guidelines and safety rules related to installation of HAM radio towers and antennas.

If S. 1685 passes:
1. Community associations would not be able to require prior approval or to have uniform rules for installation of HAM radio towers and antennas.
2. Community associations would lose the right to apply a critical approval process to ensure compliance with community architectural standards; including safety and aesthetic guidelines.
3. All community association standards for determining installation of HAM radio towers and antennas will be replaced by the Federal Communications Commission’s “reasonable accommodation” standard that mandates installation of HAM radio antennas with no prior approval and no safety certification or restrictions.

Contact your Senator today at http://www.capwiz.com/advocacycenter/issues/alert/?alertid=68507641&type=CO%20 and let him/her know that S. 1685 is not workable and will compromise the safety and interests of the 65 million people living in America’s community associations.

CAI staff and lobbyists have spoken with staff in these Senators’ offices and they have indicated they haven’t heard from their constituents (you) opposing S. 1685. CAI has confirmed HAM radio activists have sent more than 14,000 messages to Congress in support of S. 1685. We need to have the Senators and their staff hear from you!

It is very important that you and other members in your community act. Protect your property values. Protect your say in your community’s affairs.

Attorney Damonte Speaks at Community Associations Institute

Jeffrey Damonte2016-10-17T11:15:27-04:00October 15th, 2015|News|

On November 12, 2015, Attorney Jonathan Damonte will speak at the Suncoast Chapter of the Community Associations Institute Legal Question and Answer Breakfast at the Marriott Hotel, 12600 Roosevelt Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida. The Community Associations Institute is a national, nonprofit association created in 1973 to provide education and resources to America’s 231,000 residential condominium, cooperative and homeowner associations and related professionals and service providers. Mr. Damonte will serve on a panel that will answer legal questions pertaining to community association law. The Breakfast runs from 8:30 am to 10:00 am and costs $30.00 for non-members. Reservations must be received in writing by November 9, 2015 and may be faxed, emailed or mailed.

Facsimile (727) 345-0170
Email: lhagan@suncoastcai.com
Mail: CAI – Suncoast, 6528-A Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, Florida 33707

Firm Welcomes Attorney Jeffrey James Damonte

Jeffrey Damonte2016-10-17T11:15:28-04:00October 10th, 2015|News|

The Law Firm of Jonathan James Damonte, Chartered proudly announces that Jeffrey James Damonte has joined the firm as an associate. Mr. Damonte is a second-generation attorney and is licensed in both Florida and Pennsylvania State Courts, as well as in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Damonte brings experience to the firm in the areas of civil litigation, arbitration, personal injury and real estate.

Florida Association for Women Lawyers Appoints Attorney Codding

Jeffrey Damonte2016-10-17T11:15:28-04:00October 10th, 2015|News|

The Florida Association for Women Lawyers has appointed Attorney Jennifer Codding to its Member Advancement and Promotion Committee. The committee focuses on propelling FAWL’s members into leadership positions.