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James Blount Griffin
Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Real Estate
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Biography
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 re: family and property through estate planning, wills, trusts, probate law, real estate law, property law, and business succession planning. Focus directly on the clients and prefer to bill by the task than by the hour.
- 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
- Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Administrative Law, Government Contracts, Legislative & Government Affairs
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
- Q. Locked out of deceased brother's house, seeking legal actions to regain access.
- A: This is complicated. In real estate, all rights and interests must be in writing- from leases to deeds to liens to easements. Nonetheless, because you are family, you might be able to claim an "equitable interest" in his property. Thus, standard eviction procedures might not work against you. Because you are locked out of the house, however, you will need to prove that you have a right to be there and that you were therefore unlawfully evicted. Find a good lawyer in your county to handles odd cases. Your argument in front of the judge is that you were brothers, and therefore, you are NOT a tenant, and your brother was not a landlord. Otherwise, the judge will say, "Where ... Read More
- Q. Is there a grandfather clause in Alabama preventing HOA fee increases for exempt properties?
- A: The lawyer's answer is: "It depends." Lawyers argue cases using the documents drafted, properly enacted, and sometimes recorded by HOAs. Exhibit A would be the subdivision covenants. Exhibit B would be the constitutional documents of the HOA's board of directors. Exhibit C would be the minutes and records of HOA meetings. Without these things, you cannot effectively fight the HOA. You need to clearly show that the HOA violated its own rules.
- Q. Options for dealing with a spouse's house and mortgage after estate closes in Alabama?
- A: A will in Alabama must be probated by the court within five years of the death of the decedent. Are you the Personal Representative or Executor under the Will? If so, you would need an attorney to help you open the estate, obtain for you "Letters Testamentary," and assist in the transfer of the property by "Executor's Deed" from the executor of the estate (i.e., you) under the Will to you as the surviving spouse. Unless you probate the Will within five years of his death you set yourself up for troubles later.
Social Media
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- James B. Griffin, LLC Main Site
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