Some might say it’s too soon. Too soon to talk politics and policy, when the search, rescue and recovery operations at the Surfside Champlain Towers South condominium collapse disaster are still tragically unfolding before our eyes. But this is exactly the time to discuss what we can do to guarantee this kind of disaster never happens again – when ...

Statutory Update for Condominiums, Cooperatives and Homeowners Associations. The following is a summary of recent changes to the Florida Statutes relating to Condominiums, Cooperatives and Homeowners Associations. It should be noted that this handout is a summary in nature and has been compiled to identify provisions which are of extra importance t...

(CNN)An independent budget review warned the Champlain Towers South condo association that its financial reserves were critically underfunded in the face of urgently needed structural repairs a little over a year before the building collapsed, a document obtained by CNN shows.  The condo association only had 6.9% of the recommended level of mo...

The continued reporting concerning the causes of the collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, is placing a new spotlight on the complex principles associated with condominiums in south Florida. The outcome involving this local tragedy will be shaped by how we move forward. For a baseline, let us talk about the most gripping engi...

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Efforts at the site of the Surfside condominium collapse have shifted from rescue to recovery after two weeks of searching for survivors. At the time of this article, 64 people have been recovered from the rubble. Another 76 remain unaccounted for. This tragedy has raised questions about the safety of high-rise condominium buildi...

   Sachs Sax Caplan, P.L. founding partners, Louis Caplan and Peter S. Sachs are quoted in the news regarding the Surfside tragedy.  "People are saying, 'Am I safe?'" said founding partner Peter S. Sachs. "'What repairs do we need in my building? What have we done, what have we done?'" "We don't have any re-inspections required in Pa...

   BOCA RATON, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis should immediately empanel a special task force of experts to examine the tragic Surfside condominium building collapse and recommend reforms intended to ensure that nothing like it ever happens again. That is the recommendation of Sachs Sax Caplan, one of the nation’s most experienced and respe...

       On March 9, 2020, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-52, declaring a statewide State of Emergency in response to COVID-19. This order triggered statutory emergency powers for community associations throughout the state. The Governor continued to issue Executive Orders extending the State of Emergency every 60 day...

        On Thursday, June 24, 2021 around 1:30 a.m. officials received word of a building collapse in Surfside, Florida. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the residents affected by the tragedy at Champlain Towers South in Surfside. The condominium building has 136 units; approximately 55 units collapsed, and the entire building...

        It is often thought that estate planning is just for older people who are more established in their careers and lives and have more to plan for, when, that could not be further from the truth. From individuals planning for themselves, to married couples with young children, to retired adults, everyone can use some sort o...

        New changes to the Florida Statutes governing community associations will become effective July 1, 2021, pursuant to multiple bills passed during the most recent legislative session.  Among these bills, SB 56 is particularly directed to community associations’ collection of maintenance fees and assessments.  Bo...

          The COVID-19 crisis has caused many of our Clients to raise questions pertaining to their own estate planning, particularly documents that family members may need in the event that a loved one becomes hospitalized. Given this unprecedented time, we encourage all of our clients to consider the following: A. Are you...

          As many of you may know, Palm Beach County has issued Order 2020-012 to mandate the wearing of face masks throughout the County. At this time, based upon our review of the Order, and the information currently available, we advise that any association with an open indoor facility, clubhouse, recreation center or th...

          By recent order of Governor DeSantis, Florida’s state of emergency due to COVID-19 has been extended to the beginning of November 2020. In part, this means that homeowners’ associations and condominium associations continue to be able to utilize emergency powers pursuant to Fla. Stat. §720.316 and Fla. Stat. §718....

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