Property Value Challenges

If you own property in Pinellas County, you likely received your property assessments this past week. The property appraiser's office mailed the Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices on Monday, August 24, 2009.

The TRIM notice includes the home owner's property taxes, property assessments, and proposed millage rates set by various taxing entities. The market value shown on the 2009 TRIM notice is based on market condition and ownership status as of January 1, 2009 and is determined by analyzing sales that took place in 2008.

Property owners have until Friday, September 18, 2009 to file a petition challenging the notice. For the first time in Pinellas County, property owners who disagree with their property value assessments can file petitions to go before the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) online via the Clerk’s website, www.mypinellasclerk.org, beginning on Monday, August 31, according to Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court. Other methods of petitioning to go before the VAB are still available. The forms can be accessed online, then mailed or filed in person at the Clerk’s Board Records department located on the fifth floor of the Clearwater Courthouse, 315 Court St., Clearwater or may be dropped off at one of these Clerk’s branch offices: the St. Petersburg Branch at 545 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg; the Tyrone Branch at 1800 66th St. N., St. Petersburg or the North County Branch at 29582 U.S. 19, Clearwater.

The Value Adjustment Board serves as the decision-making authority between the property owners and the property appraiser when there is a disagreement over exemptions, valuations and classifications. Once a petition is filed, a quasi-judicial hearing is scheduled with a special magistrate. For more information, visit the Value Adjustment Board page at www.mypinellasclerk.org or call Board Records at 727-464-3458.

Exactly what is Probate?

In the last few decades a lot of information on probate has become widely available. Although I think in general, an increase in public information is a positive development, the benefit is obviously dependent on the accuracy of the information. The probate process is really three-fold. First you gather the assets. Second you determine the debts. And third you distribute the estate according to the law. It really is a very systematic method to transfer property to heirs. For me it is also rewarding legal work. Often I drafted the will and knew the decedent well. So though the family is grieving I like that I am able to personally relate to the family and serve as a helper in the process. Probate does take a while. I think that is the complaint I hear most often. But one of the main reasons it takes a few months to resolve is to make sure the heirs actually know for sure what the assets and debts are. If you don’t have a will, please consider having one drafted to make sure your wishes are known and followed.