Beware of scams
Question: My attorney recently prepared a “Life Estate Deed” to my house to my son, which allows my son to receive my house without going through probate after I die. The deed was executed and recorded. A few weeks later, I received a letter from “Local Records Office” regarding this transfer, asking for $95 for a copy of the deed and a property profile. Do I need to do this?
Answer: First, life estate deeds are a very good way for many homeowners to leave their properties to their heirs without the cost and time of probate. Your attorney likely recorded the deed and provided you the original recorded document. However, the letter from the “Local Records Office” is not from a governmental entity at all it is simply a solicitation in hopes you will pay an unreasonable amount of money for a copy of the Deed you recently recorded. If you need a copy of the deed and contact the Lee County Clerk of Courts, it will only cost $2 for a two page document. A similar entity sends out letters every year to small businesses asking for money under similar pretenses if someone mails you a bill you do not expect, don’t pay it until you are certain it is actually payable. In this case, you definitely do not need to send them $95 for a copy of your deed.
Eric P. Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for 27 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral. After completing law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., he returned to Southwest Florida to practice law and raise a family. He served as Mayor of Cape Coral from 2005-2008, and continues his service to the community through his chairmanship of the Harney Point Kiwanis Club KidsFest, which provides a free day of fun and learning to thousands of Cape Coral families, and funds numerous scholarships. He has been married to his wife, Mary, for 13 years, and they have four children together. Recently, he earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar. He is also a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator.
This article is general in nature and not intended as legal advice to anyone. Individuals should seek legal counsel before acting on any matter of legal rights and obligations.