Boswell & Dunlap LLP, Polk County’s oldest law firm, is proud to announce its new partnership with Kings Hammer Swan City, Central Florida’s premier soccer club. For the past 126 years, Boswell & Dunlap has represented its clients throughout Florida with the expertise and knowledge that can only be gained from many years of providing high quality legal counsel. Kings Hammer Swan City, with its innovative soccer programming, player development opportunities and elite coaches, shares the same commitment to excellence. Boswell & Dunlap LLP, founded in 1900, is thrilled to partner with Kings Hammer Swan City and continue their long tradition of success both on the field and in the courtroom.
Boswell & Dunlap Partners with Kings Hammer Swan City Soccer Club
DON’T PUT OFF ESTATE PLANNING
Did you know that less than half of Americans 55 years of age or older have a will? In fact, according to a recent study by Merrill Lynch, only 18% of Americans have a will, a durable power of attorney and an advance heath care directive. According to a separate study, the most common reason is: “I haven’t gotten around to it.”
Everyone over the age of 18 needs an estate plan, whether you make minimum wage or are ready to build a family dynasty. Why? Consider these benefits:
- To protect your privacy
- To preserve your estate (aka your stuff) for the benefit of those you choose
- To minimize the expenses your children will have to bear following your death
- To ease the burden on your family
- To avoid the cost of guardianship (by choosing someone trusted to act for you should you be unable to do so)
- To ensure the continuation of your business
- To keep the government from deciding what happens to you and your estate
A basic estate plan usually includes a will, two durable powers of attorney (one for your assets and the other for health care – a/k/a a health care surrogate) and a living will (an instrument whereby you provide instructions to your doctors regarding life-prolonging procedures). It does not take long to put a plan in place. As your estate grows, so too does your plan.
At heart, we are all young and immortal. Do not let that stop you from making arrangements for your estate and family. Benjamin Franklin once said that “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” He was right.
POLK COUNTY ADOPTS SUBDIVISION PARKING POLICY
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners have given community associations a new tool to fight parking congestion. Emergency vehicles can have trouble navigating a neighborhood’s narrow streets when residents and guests park on both sides of a road. If those roadways are maintained by the county, homeowners’ associations and cooperatives may be powerless to relieve the congestion. No longer.
This past November, county commissioners approved a new Subdivision Parking Restriction Policy. Communities may now request that Polk County impose and enforce reasonable parking limitations on certain segments of their roadways. The restrictions, for instance, could limit on-street parking to one side of a roadway. If the neighborhood’s proposals are deemed feasible following a county review, the issue will be put to a vote of the affected owners. Polk County will handle the balloting process. If approved, the county commission will then make the final decision.
The Subdivision Parking Restriction Policy was adopted on November 20, 2018.
ATTORNEY DAVID CARMICHAEL FEATURED IN WINTER HAVEN SUN’S “VOICES VARY ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA”
Recently, our very own Attorney David Carmichael of Boswell & Dunlap LLP was featured in an article titled “Voices Vary On Medical Marijuana,” published by Winter Haven Sun. According to the article, a recent amendment to Florida’s Constitution states that it will okay for individuals to use medical marijuana in order to combat debilitating diseases. As of now, the following diseases are itemized as “debilitating diseases”:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV
- AIDS
- PTSD
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Parkinson’s
- Multiple sclerosis
Also according to the news article, the amendment broadens the marijuana use bill that was passed in 2014, which permits the utilization of strains of marijuana referred to as “Charlotte’s Web,” which contain large amounts of cannabidiol, or CBD, but low amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol. Additionally, this bill “rigorously contained” the licenses needed for nurseries to grow medicinal pot.
When asked to comment on the issue, Attorney Carmichael stated, “Initially, I believe people thought that this would be a gateway to stronger and bigger drugs. But I’ve traveled to other states where marijuana, even for recreational use, is legal and they say there has been no spike in use.” As of now, Attorney Carmichael, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, and upcoming State Attorney Brian Haas agree that medical marijuana is the law or will be come January 3.
To learn more, read the full recent article here.
BOSWELL & DUNLAP LLP’S VERY MERRY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION FOR BARTOW CHAMBER MEMBERS
Our legal team of Polk County lawyers at Boswell & Dunlap LLP would like to invite any and all members of the Bartow Chamber to our Very Merry Holiday Celebration, which will be held on December 8, 2016 at 5:00 PM at the following location:
245 S. Central Avenue
Bartow, Florida 33830
So that our friends can enjoy themselves amongst their peers in the legal field, our team will provide the following for our guests during the event:
- Networking opportunities
- Entertainment
- Food
- Drinks
- Fun
We hope that you will join us in celebrating the holidays and all of our continued efforts as members of the Bartow Chamber. For more information regarding the event, please contact our Polk County attorneys by calling (863) 533-7117!
HIT-AND-RUN SUSPECT IDENTIFIED AND ARRESTED BY POLK COUNTY’S SHERRIFF’S OFFICE
On Thursday, November 3, the Polk County’s Sherriff’s Office arrested the driver responsible for the death of a mother and critically injuring a deputy in a hit-and-run collision that occurred on Saturday, October 29. Before the arrest was made, the Heartland Crime Stoppers received a tip about the suspect’s vehicle that might have been involved in the crash, which occurred on Saturday, at about 12:40 AM, off the westbound State Route 60 in Lake Wales.
The Traffic Homicide Unit of the Polk County’s Sherriff’s Office responded and saw a Ford F-150 leaving a residential area. A traffic stop was performed, and the driver was positively identified as the suspect in the hit-and-run accident. Seventy-one-year-old Charles “Charlie” Lewis of Lake Wales was arrested.
Lewis admitted that he was at a party on Friday evening, October 28, where he consumed alcoholic beverages and proceeded to drive home. He explained to the deputies that he knew he crashed into something but was unsure of what the object was. He continued to express remorse for killing Jessica Enchautegui-Otero and seriously injuring Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell.
In an interview, Sheriff Grady Judd stated, “Never underestimate the power of the community […] Thanks to an anonymous tip, we were able to solve this case, and help bring some closure to these two families whose lives were forever changed by the reckless actions of Charlie Lewis.”
Attorney Kevin Kohl of Boswell & Dunlap LLP remarked, “It certainly makes it easier to convict […] A lot of times it’s difficult putting someone behind the wheel and even if you can identify the vehicle, you have to identify who’s driving.”
According to Sheriff Judd, Lewis will spend the remainder of his life in Polk County Jail.