Areas of Practice

Civil Litigation

In Florida, an individual may pursue monetary damages for certain unfair, and illegal business practices through civil litigation. In layman's terms, litigation is simply the process of participating in a law-suit. Businesses can be held liable for damages caused by bad faith, and unreasonable or manipulative business practices, like illegal debt collection, unlawful foreclosure, deceptive trade practices, and contract disputes. It is crucial to have experienced legal representation by your side in these situations.

Real Estate

Attorney Stephen J. Stanley handles real-estate matters involving commercial and residential matters, together with estate planning, and civil and business litigation. Stephen J. Stanley represents clients faced with real-estate controversies like buyer and seller representation, purchase and sale of commercial property, investment properties, land and title disputes, landlord/tenant disputes and eviction proceedings, leases, premises liability law, contract preparation, and foreclosures and short sales.

Criminal Defense

If you (or a loved one) have been charged with a criminal offense, it is important to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable criminal attorney as soon as possible. Criminal charges are serious, and can impact the rest of your life. In Florida, a misdemeanor is a crime punishable by not more than one year in jail, and (in most cases) a maximum fine of $1,000.00. On the other hand, felony crimes, unlike misdemeanors, are handled by circuit court judges and are punishable by the possibility of more than a year in jail.

Personal Injury

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Such accidents include car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, products liability accidents, dog bites, Negligent Security, Pedestrian Accident, Sexual Assault, Truck Accidents, and many others. In order to receive compensation for an accident, the claimant must demonstrate that the person that caused the act was negligent. This can be a formidable task, and a skilled attorney can explain your legal options, and help you obtain the best recovery possible for your injuries.

Family Law

Family law practice deals with all aspects of family relationships, like divorce, child custody disputes, monetary support, marital agreements, adoptions, and surrogacy, to name a few. Proceedings sometimes begin and conclude without much controversy or incident. Yet, many times cases can become complex and contentious, requiring specialized attention and professional judgement. It is important to have a family law attorney who cares about your case, and who will work closely with you to ensure that your needs are met, and that your concerns are addressed.

ESTATES AND TRUSTS

Wills and trusts are simply a means to pass on assets to loved ones after death. A will is a simple tool for outlining your wishes, designating who the beneficiaries of your assets will be, what (and how much) they will receive, and identifying who will be the person(s) carrying out your wishes and administering your estate. A trust is a legal agreement formed where a grantor gives assets to a person (the trustee), who holds the assets and/or property for another person’s benefit. The trust sets forth exactly how the assets and/or property are to be used for that person’s benefit.