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James Blount Griffin
Estate Planning, Probate, Trusts, Real Estate
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Biography
We help you find the peace of mind that comes from taking care of your family and property. You want to protect your assets and save them for those you love. Almost every adult needs an estate plan: will, powers of attorney, and, sometimes, a trust. When someone dies, a close relative usually needs to open an estate in order to settle the deceased's affairs and make distributions to the heirs. Please call me if I might help you, and if I cannot, I'll try to find someone who can.
Education
- Vanderbilt University Law School
- J.D. (2001) | Law
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- Honors: Associate Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law Phi Delta Phi
- Activities: St. Thomas More Society, Federalist Society
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- University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa
- M.A. (1990) | History
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- Studied European and American history; wrote thesis on religion and constitutional development during the Revolutionary and Republican periods.
- Honors: Colonial Dames Essay Award
- Activities: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant
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- Gordon College
- B.A. (1984) | Economics & History
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- Wrote economics thesis on the impact of land-use regulations on housing markets (which became one of my practice areas in law) and a history thesis on John F. Kennedy's effectiveness as chief executive.
- Honors: Honor Society in Economics
- Activities: Student Union President
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Professional Experience
- Principal
- James B. Griffin, LLC
- - Current
- Help clients find the peace of mind that comes from taking care of family and property through estate planning, healthcare planning, elder law, probate law, real estate law, property law, and business succession planning. Focus directly on the clients and do not worry about the billable hours.
- Associate
- Bishop Colvin Johnson & Kent, LLC
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- Represented cities, school boards, and state agencies in land use, land acquisition, code enforcement, zoning, employment, annexation, civil rights, constitutional, and intergovernmental relations matters. Litigated appellate matters and land-use matters. Advised public officials on privacy, open records, employment, civil rights, statutory, and constitutional issues.
- Associate
- Law Offices of Wm. Thomas Craig
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- Represented county commission, development authority, and sheriff in fast-growing Atlanta metro area; litigated land-use, environmental, civil rights, and zoning matters. Acquired dozens of parcels of property for roads, public facilities, and water reservoirs. Advised elected officials on wide variety of legal matters.
- Associate
- Morris Manning & Martin, LLP
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- Practiced in real estate group of large Atlanta firm working on large commercial developments, land sales, leases, and timber leases. Assisted with defense in litigation of a Fortune 500 company facing shareholder suits.
Publications
Articles & Publications
- A Predictive Framework for the Effectiveness of International Criminal Tribunals
- 34 VAND. J. TRANSNAT’L L. 405 (2001)
Speaking Engagements
- "Handling Ethical Issues in Engineering and Surveying Practice", Legal Issues for Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors, Birmingham, AL
- HalfMoon Education, Inc.
- Discussed the ethics code for engineers and its practical applications.
- "Land Use Law", Legal Issues for Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors, Birmingham, AL
- HalfMoon Education, Inc.
- Explained how zoning law works and how you can get in trouble when requesting or making land-use decisions.
- "Take a Comprehensive Look at Land Use Law", Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision, Annexation, & Zoning, Birmingham, AL
- National Business Institute
- "Stay On Top of Environmental Considerations", Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision, Annexation, & Zoning, Birmingham, AL
- National Business Institute
- Explained how zoning law works and how you can get in trouble when requesting or making land-use decisions.
- "Zoning Concerns and Planning Issues", Legal Issues Involving Local Governments, Birmingham, AL
- National Business Institute
- Explained how zoning law works and how you can get in trouble when requesting or making land-use decisions.
Professional Associations
- Environmental Law Section of State Bar of Georgia
- Chairman
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- Activities: Served as officer for four years and then as chairman. Organized annual conference and edited publications.
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Alabama
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- Georgia
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Fees
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Free Consultation
I can usually discern during the initial telephone call if I can help you. If I can help you, we will meet to discuss your problem and goals. - Credit Cards Accepted
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Because every situation is different, standardizing fees is very hard unless it is a high-volume practice (e.g., title searches). Just as you would not select a surgeon based upon price alone, your search for a lawyer involves asking good questions. For instance: 1. What cases or matters have you handled that are similar to mine, what did you decide to do, and what were the results? The answer to this question should tell you if you were in the right lawyer’s office. 2. May I contact some of your clients or former clients? The answer to this question will tell you whether his clients love, like, or dislike him. 3. What is your preferred way to keep in touch with me, and how fast could you or a member of your staff get back to me? Poor communication is the most common complaint by clients of the legal profession. Feel free to call and ask me these questions.
Practice Areas
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Administrative Law, Election Law, Government Contracts, Government Finance, Legislative & Government Affairs
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
- Q. Hello! I am currently in an apartment with an expired lease and multiple documented repair issues with no response.
- A: Before you do anything, read the lease very carefully. If the lease is expired, you are a "tenant at will." They can't hold you for long, and you cannot hold them either. Mark everything the landlord may have violated. Mark anything you have or may have violated. Alabama law is friendly to landlords, not tenants.
To leave without a 60-day notice, if that clause is in the lease, would likely be a breach of the contract on your part. You might find that the landlord still has a hook in you and sues you for unpaid rent. In the least, they might report you to one of the credit bureaus.
If they really wanted you for another full lease, they would tell you, but they are not ... Read More
- Q. My Mom just passed away. She had no will and no one else on her mortgage. What happens to her mortgage?
- A: The mortgage company would like you to assume, in writing, the liabilities of the mortgage. Don't do so unless you think it through carefully. Her estate could be squeezed by the IRS or the mortgage company, and there does not seem to be much cash.
When your mother died, all property (e.g., the house) and interests (e.g., the mortgage) in her name went into limbo. No one can speak for her interests until someone is granted Letters Testamentary (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no will). The mortgage holder, the home's insurer, and the IRS will want someone to keep making payments. If you can do so, you would likely buy some time to figure out how to ... Read More
- Q. If you are on your single parents bank accounts in Alabama and they pass away, do you have control of their estate?
- A: Joint bank accounts often, but not always, have a "right of survivorship" to the account holder who survives the other. The terms of the account are in that envelope full of small print that you get when you open an account. The ownership of a bank account is often a separate issue from the decedent's estate, heirs, and administrator. Talk to a qualified attorney. "Winging it" is not a good idea.
Social Media
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- James B. Griffin, LLC Main Site
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