James Blount Griffin

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.

Vanderbilt University Law School

J.D. (2001) | Law

1998 - 2001

Honors: Associate Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law Phi Delta Phi

Activities: St. Thomas More Society, Federalist Society

University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa

M.A. (1990) | History

1986 - 1990

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

Gordon College

B.A. (1984) | Economics & History

1980 - 1984

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

Principal

James B. Griffin, LLC

2014 - 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

2011 - 2014

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

2002 - 2011

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

2001 - 2002

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.

A Predictive Framework for the Effectiveness of International Criminal Tribunals

34 VAND. J. TRANSNAT’L L. 405 (2001)

2001

"Handling Ethical Issues in Engineering and Surveying Practice", Legal Issues for Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors, Birmingham, AL

May 5, 2015

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

May 5, 2015

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

October 1, 2014

National Business Institute

"Stay On Top of Environmental Considerations", Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision, Annexation, & Zoning, Birmingham, AL

October 1, 2014

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

July 30, 2013

National Business Institute

Explained how zoning law works and how you can get in trouble when requesting or making land-use decisions.

Environmental Law Section of State Bar of Georgia

Chairman

2010 - 2011

Activities: Served as officer for four years and then as chairman. Organized annual conference and edited publications.

Alabama

Since 2011

Georgia

Since 2001

• 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
• 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.

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

Q. Hello! I am currently in an apartment with an expired lease and multiple documented repair issues with no response.

July 31, 2023

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 repairing things either. If you really don't want to live another year on this property with an unresponsive landlord, find something better, and give them 60-day notice. They own the property, not you, and at this point, if the lease is expired, they can get rid of you so long as they follow the notice procedures of the lease and Alabama law. ... Read More

Q. My Mom just passed away. She had no will and no one else on her mortgage. What happens to her mortgage?

July 27, 2023

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 go forward. You may have to sell the house in order to clear up her debts.

To sell the house, you would need to open an estate in the probate court. I am very familiar with the paper work. Once you have the Letters of Administration, you could settle or assume her debts.

Feel free to call me. ... 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?

July 10, 2023

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.