He summarized the advantages of the new law, “By helping reduce fraudulent auto accident claims, this legislation will benefit the pocketbooks of every Florida family who drives an automobile.”
If you wish to visit the Florida State Archives and actually see the printed laws, word for word, in PDF format, click on this handy resource.  For a basic outline of the new automobile insurance reform bill, The Law Offices of Julie Eason Smith invite to you to read below:

THE BACKGROUND: Previously the Sentinel Newspaper reported the shocking information that personal injuring claims had risen by $900, million dollars– to a stunning $2.45 billion. How? Many claims were fraudulent. They involved rampant use of staged accidents, rip-off pain clinics and padded procedures. For reference, you can click here.

THE FACTS: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation provided powerful incentive for the lawmakers to enact this reform.

1. They reported that from 2006 to 2010, the Personal Injury claims had increased 28 percent although “the number of drivers has remained stable, and the frequency of car crashes has actually declined.”

2. A whopping pay-out on PIP claims grew 66 percent in the last 4 years. Since the claims increased auto insurance premiums, the expense had encumbered family budgets in our state. Quick Case Study: a family in Miami making $40,000 a year would be forced to pay nearly 14 percent of their annual salary on personal injury protection.

3. This new Legislation halts fraud and reduces costs to protect these families and their financial well-being. For more detail, click on this source.

POINTS OF LAW:  Julie Eason Smith thinks you might want to know how this law affects you. What happens now  if you are an accident victim.? We have assembled this basic points of the law. There are more points at this site.

1. The law lowers cost of auto insurance premimus by limiting fraud.
2. Accident victims must receive initial treatment within a 14-day window and benefits can’t be used as payment for massage and acupuncture. See more about benefits by clicking here.
3. Judges will be permitted to review attorney fees for over inflated charges.
4. Only reasonable fees can be charged by the medical provider for services and care.
5. Clinics will pay a licensure fee and sign fraud notices about misleading or fraudulent claims.

The governor also stated, “I am glad to do my part in keeping the cost of living low in Florida, and I will continue to work to find ways to do so.” Once again, we of the Law Offices of Julie Eason-Smith thank you for reading this legal blog. We invite you to sign in on our homepage in the RSS feed box, to receive this blog regularly in your e-mail.

The bill will prevent contact with companies “with business ties to the dictatorships of Cuba or Syria.”Known as House Bill 959, this bill prevents state and local governments from entering contracts worth $1 million or more with businesses operating in Cuba and Syria.”
In simple words, the law states that Florida refuses to do business with countries who suppress freedom and support terrorism. To see the document, click here:
The Governor stated, “The records of the Castro and Assad governments are undeniably oppressive, and have worked in ways that are counter to American interests.” Governor Scott added, “The legislation I’m signing today is designed to protect Florida taxpayers from unintentionally supporting dictators that suppress freedom and the rights of individuals.” This law affirms Florida’s commitment to sanction countries who support terrorists by with-holding our tax-payers’ business dollars.

However, Gov. Scott explained that the law will not be effective without the enactment of a similar Federal law. Gov. Scott appealed to the Obama regime to be “a federal partner that will permit this law to become operative.” Governor Scott also said,  “I call on President Obama to introduce federal legislation that would permit Florida to enforce this important law.”For more information, just click here.

The second feature of today’s blog concerns Family Connections and introduces our Top Tips For Successor Trustees. Allow us to use some fictional characaters to establish human interest in our advice for you when you serve as a Successor Trustee: Grandmother Rose gives her daughter Angela this remarkable responsibility by naming her the successor trustee of her living trust. Sadly Grandmother Rose dies. What are Anglea’s basic duties now?

1. As she takes control, Angela knows her primary responsibility is to the beneficiaries. takes control when the original trustee dies or becomes incapacitated. Angela is committed to administer the trust according to the Grandmother Roses wishes, and the terms of the trust document.
2. Next, as Successor Trustee, Angela creates an inventory of assets.
3. She then establishes an investment strategy.
4. Because we at the Law Offices helped her to understand her legal duties, she filed the required taxes. Now she is ready to make decisions about distributions.

Angela was smart because she used the professional services of  the Law Offices of Julie Eason-Smith. We explained her duties in administering her grandmother’s trust. Located in beautiful Oviedo, our law offices are a top resource for estate planning Orlando and the surrounding area.

It was an emotional time for the family Angel was glad that she had firm legal advice as she dealt with her own grief and theirs. She was also grateful that she and Grandmother Rose had visited the Law Offices of Julie Eason-Smith prior to her fatal demise. To see what Rose and Angela studied before they planned Rose’s estate, click here.

Knowing that Angela had legal matters under control gave family members peace of mind and confidence that Rose’s last wishes were carried out to the beneficiaries. Thank you once again for visiting our blog and we invite you to come here often for more legal news and stories.