Futurelawyer

You, Too, Can Create Your Own Chat GPT Chatbot.

How To Create Your Own Custom Chat GPT Chatbot. Chat GPT Plus members can now create their own specific chatbots, designed to answer questions using specific databases. Once created, you can have conversations with the bot that are specifically tailored. I have created one that accesses all Florida Law databases, including statutes, case law, treatises and regulations. I call it the Florida Law Guide. In a recent fact pattern from a discussion group about joint ownership, I created the following question, and have included the answer from my Florida Law Guide. The linked article contains instructions about how to build your own bot. Amazing times.

 

You

A duplex is owned by two sisters, who do not get along. One sister has rented her unit to a tenant, and now wants to evict the tenant. Does she have any recourse without the consent of her sister?

 

Florida Law Guide, a bot created by Rick Georges, the FutureLawyer.

In Florida, the rights and responsibilities of co-owners of a duplex, particularly in the context of one owner wanting to evict a tenant without the other owner's consent, are governed by state property and landlord-tenant laws.

1. Individual Ownership Rights: Generally, if the duplex is divided into separate units and each sister owns one unit outright, the sister who owns the unit in question typically has the right to manage her property, including leasing and eviction processes. However, this depends on how the property is titled and any agreements or restrictions in place.

2. Joint Ownership Considerations: If the property is jointly owned and not divided into legally separate units, both owners usually have equal rights to the property. In such cases, one owner may not unilaterally make decisions that affect the whole property, such as evicting a tenant, without the consent of the other owner.

3. Legal Agreements and Understandings: If there are any existing agreements or understandings (formal or informal) between the sisters regarding the management of the property, these could influence what actions can be taken independently.

4. Eviction Process Compliance: The sister seeking to evict a tenant must comply with Florida's eviction laws, including providing proper notice and having a legal reason for eviction. This process is independent of co-ownership issues but must still be adhered to.

5. Mediation or Legal Action: In cases of disagreement between co-owners, mediation can be sought to reach an agreement. If no resolution is found, legal action might be necessary, and a court could potentially make a ruling on the matter.

6. Consultation with a Legal Professional: Given the complexity of property rights and the potential for legal disputes in such scenarios, it is advisable for the sisters to consult with a real estate attorney to understand their rights and obligations and to navigate the situation legally and effectively.

Remember, this is a general overview and not a substitute for professional legal advice. Each situation is unique and should be assessed by a qualified attorney who can provide guidance based on the specific circumstances and Florida law."

 

#WhyIAmASolo - A Solo Can Start A Law Firm Whenever They Want.

Start A Law Firm. Many lawyers aspire to have their own law firm, even if they don't necessarily want to go solo. The Florida Bar provides free educational materials for Florida lawyers at the LegalFuel website; but, much of the knowledge translates to any lawyer anywhere. This page has all sorts of great advice for a lawyer wanting to start a new firm, and is mandatory reading if you wish to follow. So, do a little reading; and, when your are ready, take the plunge. I did, and never looked back.

Solo And Small Firms...Are Your Systems Secure?

Cybersecurity Checklist For Small Firms And Solos. We solos and members of small firms can't afford to have a single employee working full time to keep our systems secure from ongoing threats of attack by bad guys. But, there are many things you can do to make your systems unattractive to potential attackers. Think of it as a burglar faced with an unlocked front door, versus one with 3 deadbolt locks. Which will he choose? So, check out LegalFuel from the Florida Bar for tips and tricks to keep your systems secure. Update your software regularly. Image your drives regularly. Use multi-factor authentication everywhere it is available. Read the article for more ideas. It's Saturday, and you have nothing better to do anyway. :-) Right.

I Have Over 70,000 Books In My Library...And I Am Holding Them In My Hand.

Project Gutenberg. I have, as you know, many computers and computer devices in my possession. I carry some of them with me everywhere I go. My Kindle Scribe has my Ebook library and serves as my daily journal and calendar, as well as the place I take notes about everything I do, from client conferences to writing pleadings and books. My Smartphone and Tablets also serve as EReaders depending on my location and needs. But, the coolest thing about all of them is that I carry access to hundreds of thousands of books, papers, and other written materials, all accessible with the touch of a finger on a screen. I can bring up, and search, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, wherever I am. The days of scrounging around for a year old magazine in a Doctor's office are over. Automobile waiting lounges have become a respite from my daily grind; although, I can do legal work there, if I like. Freedom is about choices. Digital knowledge has made each of us free to choose at all times. It is a wonderful time to be alive.

Generative AI Is Now Available As An Android App.

Chat GPT Is Now Available For Android. My favorite AI bot, the Open AI ChatGPT is now available on my smartphone, as an app. Since I subscribe to the plus version, I have access to the GPT 4 variation, which, IMHO, is the best available. Combined with the AIPRM Premium, which has predrafted prompts that greatly speed up and simplify research, I literally have an almost free intelligent employee that provides great content. Of course, it isn't perfect, so I have to edit and check the accuracy of its work; but you really need to get started using this stuff. 

Florida Lawyer's Guide To Efiling.

Florida Courts Efiling Requirements. My favorite Florida Bar website contains many how to do it seminars on Florida law practice. Today, I am highlighting the one hour webinar on Efiling in the Florida Court System. A Florida lawyer is now required to efile all pleadings, motions and other papers in the State efiling system, with few exceptions (original Wills, etc.). So, as a solo lawyer, I can practice law in all of Florida from a computer terminal. Of course, many ordinary court hearings are now conducted via Zoom video teleconferencing, and many lawyers conduct depositions, client conferences and other events online. The efficiencies and advantages of an online law practice are undeniable. In fact, such a virtual practice makes my avocation of RV lawyering possible. Florida lawyers can do a lot of their work wherever they are, as long as they have a computer and broadband Internet access. Of course, there are major exceptions to this; including jury trials, criminal trials, and other major events. Florida has always been a leader in efiling, and I am proud that I was part of the original effort to standardize efiling across the State. Even if you aren't a lawyer, you should educate yourself about the process. It is the system your lawyer is using to file paperwork in your case. 

I Love Talking About Legal Tech.

Diane took this image while I was giving a presentation to the Florida State Prosecutor's Association. I love talking about tech.

We Are The Florida Bar...And We Are Here To Help You.

Florida Bar Tech Helpline. Relax, this message is not from your government. It is for Florida lawyers, and it exists to answer any question about tech, and its implementation and use in the practice of law by Florida lawyers. You have to sign a Waiver before using it; but it is a great resource if you are challenged by something tech oriented. I am hoping also that it will reduce the number of calls the FutureLawyer gets about the application of technology to the practice of law. Don't get me wrong. Most of the time, I enjoy taking time out of my day to give free tech advices to any lawyer or legal assistant who feels the need to call me. Really. But, I don't have the time to help everyone, and the Bar has set up this helpline for the sole purpose of helping you. Your dues pay for the Florida Bar services. Use them.

In 1994, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away.

As I reach the fifty first anniversary of my induction into the Florida Bar in 1972, I suppose, like all old people, I ask myself how time passed so quickly. As I participated yesterday, for the second year in a row, in the Technology Symposium of the Standing Committee on Technology of the Florida Bar at the Bar Convention, I was again struck by the youth of the other participants. I thought back to the 1994 Bar Convention, when my Committee (the first version of the Committee on Technology) introduced our fellow Bar members to this new thing called the Internet. I saved the banner from our presentations; and, it can be seen in these photos. We had computer terminals installed at the Convention, so that lawyers could see the promise of a new way of finding case law, and communicating with colleagues. In our wildest dreams, we never considered that we would be carrying computers in our pockets and on our wrists in the not too distant future. Sometimes, I wish that I could be around in another 30 years, to see where technology has taken us. But, that privilege will be reserved for the fresh, young faces that I observed yesterday. Be good to each other. Time flies.

Emerging Technology Trends For Remote Lawyering.

As promised, if you missed our presentation at the Florida Bar Convention, I have attached a PDF version of our slides, which will give you an overview of the many devices, gadgets, software and trends in practicing law remotely. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the content, and no AI was involved in the making, distribution, or content. :-)

Download Emerging Technology Trends to Help Lawyers Stay Connected While Working Remotely 06.08.23 (final version)