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James Blount Griffin

James Blount Griffin

Estate Planning, Probate, Trusts, Real Estate
  • Estate Planning, Probate, Real Estate Law ...
  • Alabama, Georgia
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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.

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
Fees
  • 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.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Alabama
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Georgia
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
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.
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
Vanderbilt University Law School Logo
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
University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa Logo
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 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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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.
Websites & Blogs
Website
James B. Griffin, LLC Main Site
Videos
Sometimes you have to take on a case because it's the right thing to do... Birmingham Attorney James B Griffin Gives Back

Sometimes you have to take on a case because it's the right thing to do...

Introduction video Birmingham Estate Planning Attorney James B. Griffin

Introduction video

From an appearance on Fox 6's LawCall, March 22, 2015 Who is Birmingham Attorney James B. Griffin

From an appearance on Fox 6's LawCall, March 22, 2015

You can learn much from reading about estate planning on the web, and even download forms, but most of us rightly hesitate to sign a legal document not prepared specifically for you by a lawyer you trust. Can You Prepare Your Own Will in Alabama Without a Lawyer? - Online Will, DIY Will Preparation

You can learn much from reading about estate planning on the web, and even download forms, but most of us rightly hesitate to sign a legal document not prepared specifically for you by a lawyer you trust.

Count your blessings and develop a plan to pass them on to selected loved ones with the least cost, trouble, and conflict. What is Comprehensive Estate Planning in Alabama?

Count your blessings and develop a plan to pass them on to selected loved ones with the least cost, trouble, and conflict.

How do parents of minor children prepare for the remote but terrible possibility of the children becoming orphans?  What can good estate planning do? What Is The Toughest Question To Answer in Alabama Estate Planning?

How do parents of minor children prepare for the remote but terrible possibility of the children becoming orphans? What can good estate planning do?

You don't have to be wealthy.  There are many good reasons people make trusts for those they love. Do I Need A Trust? Alabama Trusts and Estates Attorney

You don't have to be wealthy. There are many good reasons people make trusts for those they love.

Working from home. Contract reviews etc. Do You Need an Attorney to Review a Contract? Sometimes You Need a Lawyer’s Eyes for a Short Time

Working from home. Contract reviews etc.

Medical doctors and estate planning ... Estate Planning for Medical Doctors. Doctors need a different kind of estate-planning lawyer...

Medical doctors and estate planning ...

Executory Trusts- in case you and your spouse both die suddenly. Executory Trust Overview by Attorney James B. Griffin

Executory Trusts- in case you and your spouse both die suddenly.

Specific needs of physicians in their estate plans... What are the specific estate-planning needs of medical doctors and physicians?

Specific needs of physicians in their estate plans...

What do you do when someone passes away without a will? What Do You Do When Mother or Father Passes Away in Alabama Without a Will

What do you do when someone passes away without a will?

Thinking about uncertainty.... Write a Will! Why do I need to write a Will? Uncertainty, that's why! Cut down on uncertainty and risk.

Thinking about uncertainty.... Write a Will!

Legal Answers
7 Questions Answered
Q. Mom passed, only one heir, resided in ˢᵀ.Martin Parish, owns home in Mont., AL, she passed in Htx, how to obtain probate
A: I am not licensed in LA, so I cannot address the vehicle with any authority, though some states, such as Alabama, allow the transfer of a vehicle without the formal opening of an estate.

To lawfully transfer the Montgomery, AL real property, you would have to open an estate in the probate court of Montgomery County, AL. Unless there is a valid will, however, the administrator of her estate would have to be a resident of Alabama. Do you have any reliable and responsible relatives in Alabama willing to be her estate's administrator?

If not, I could probably do it, though I advise my clients that blood kin is generally preferable. Nonetheless, I have served as a court-appointed estate administrator many times on such situations. ... Read More
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 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?
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
View More Answers
Contact & Map
James B. Griffin, LLC
8331 Madison Blvd, Suite 200A
Madison, AL 35758
Telephone: (256) 542-1955
Cell: (205) 873-2113
Notice: By Appointment Only. We do teleconferencing if requested. Call me. If I cannot help you myself, I will try to refer you to someone who can.
James B. Griffin, LLC
Birmingham
6 Office Park Circle, Suite 215
Birmingham, AL 35223
Telephone: (205) 502-2199
Cell: (205) 873-2113
Notice: By appointment only. Free consultation by telephone or teleconferencing. Call me. If I cannot help you myself, I will try to point you to one who can.