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James Clifton

James Clifton

The Clifton Law Firm, LLC
  • Bankruptcy, Probate, Foreclosure Defense ...
  • California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Texas
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Biography

James Clifton is the founding member of The Clifton Law Firm, LLC and oversees the firm's multi-state practice. During the course of his career, James has focused primarily on real property, bankruptcy, wills, trusts, and estates. Additionally, he possesses vast experience in suits to quiet title, real property and commercial lending transactions, comprehensive contract formation, title insurance claims, will drafting, estate planning, and probate litigation.

On the weekends, James enjoys donating his time to the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation's Saturday Lawyer Program where he represents indigent clients on a pro bono basis. In addition, he represented Fayette County in the Georgia Attorney General’s state wide food drive, The Legal Food Frenzy. In the past, he has served as an elected member of the Executive Council of the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division and is a graduate of the prestigious Young Lawyer Leadership Academy. James is also a past president of the Fayette County Bar Association.

James is a member of the American Bar Association and its Real Property, Trust, and Estate Section. He is also an active member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia and its Real Property Law Section, Bankruptcy Section, and Creditor's Rights Section; the Florida Bar and its Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; the State Bar of California and its Real Property Law Section; the State Bar of Texas and its Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; and the District of Columbia Bar and its Real Property Law Section.

In addition to the state licensures, James is licensed to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, and the United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. On May 14, 2012, James was sworn into the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Practice Areas
Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
Probate
Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Foreclosure Defense
Real Estate Law
Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
Landlord Tenant
Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    All consultations are free.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Contingent Fees
    For any accident or personal injury cases, we only get paid if you get paid.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    We accept all major credit cards.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
State Bar of California
ID Number: 270535
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District of Columbia
District of Columbia Bar
ID Number: 1004023
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Florida
The Florida Bar
ID Number: 0064755
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Georgia
State Bar of Georgia
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Texas
State Bar of Texas
ID Number: 24074043
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11th Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
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United States District Courts for the Northern & Middle Districts of Georgia
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Managing Attorney
The Clifton Law Firm, LLC
- Current
Candidate for Georgia House of Representatives
Georgia House of Representatives
Candidate for Georgia State Senate
Georgia State Senate
Partner
Consumer Attorney Services
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Managing Attorney - Georgia Operations
Albertelli Law
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Law Clerk 2008
Education
Florida Coastal School of Law
J.D. (2008) | Law
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Honors: Graduated 17th in the class with cum laude honors; Governors Merit Scholarship Recipient
Activities: Real Property, Trust, and Estates Law Society, Sports Law Society
Florida Coastal School of Law Logo
University System of Georgia - University of Georgia
B.S. (2003) | Psychology
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Honors: Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society
University System of Georgia - University of Georgia Logo
University System of Georgia - University of Georgia
B.A. (2003) | Political Science
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Honors: Hope Scholarship Recipient
University System of Georgia - University of Georgia Logo
Awards
Good Rating
Avvo
Peer Reviewed (5/5)
Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Services
Professional Associations
Executive Council of the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
Elected Member
Current
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District of Columbia Bar  # 1004023
Member
- Current
Activities: Real Property Law Section
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Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
Volunteer Attorney
- Current
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State Bar of Texas  # 24074043
Member
- Current
Activities: Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
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State Bar of California  # 270535
Member
- Current
Activities: Real Property Law Section
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The Florida Bar  # 0064755
Member
- Current
Activities: Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
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American Bar Association  # 01323032
Member
- Current
Activities: Real Property, Trust, and Estate Section
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State Bar of Georgia
Member
- Current
Activities: Real Property Law Section, Bankruptcy Section, and Creditor's Rights Section
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Certifications
Notary Public
Fayette County Clerk of Court
Websites & Blogs
Website
Website
Legal Answers
362 Questions Answered
Q. How does life estate work with 50% undivided interest, both life estate tenants in common are deceased.
A: The two heirs of the single woman inherit her 50% of the property. The three heirs of the single man inherit his 50% of the property. Probate will be required for the man and woman for their heirs to take their portions of the property. The previous attorney was probably referring to the tax basis in the property and not the value that the heirs are entitled to. The tax basis of the property as it relates to capital gains tax is set at the death of the owner. If the two heirs of the woman who died in 1996 sold the property now, they would owe taxes on the difference between the value in 1996 when the woman died and the amount of the current sale. Schedule a free consultation to ensure the property is passed on to the heirs in compliance with the appropriate probate laws. ... Read More
Q. If 3 people's names are on a deed and 1 of the persons lives there exclusively. Can the other two charge him rent?
A: One co-owner cannot exclude the other co-owners. If they do, the other co-owners are entitled to a reasonable amount of rent from the co-owner who is excluding them. If they are unwilling to pay rent, your will have to file a lawsuit. You can force the sale of the property through a partition lawsuit. During the lawsuit, you can ask for an equitable accounting. During that process, the court will charge the co-owner who is living there exclusively a reasonable amount of rent. The court will also look at who paid taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other necessary expenses to credit that co-owner for paying them. Schedule a free consultation to protect your interest in the property.
Q. When I sell my dad home he's deceased. Can child support in NY take areas owed by my brother and it affect my 50%.
A: Child support services cannot take your portion of the inheritance. If it is not too late, your brother can renounce his portion of the inheritance leaving you as the only owner of the property. In that case, child support services would have nothing to go after. A renunciation needs to be filed within 9 months of your father's death. Schedule a free consultation to make sure your inheritance is protected.
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Contact & Map
The Clifton Law Firm, LLC
Headquarters
125 Flat Creek Trail
Suite 120
Fayetteville, GA 30214
Telephone: (770) 828-7339
Monday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed (Today)
Sunday: Closed
The Clifton Law Firm, LLC
Fayette County Office
10 The Boulevard
Suite 104
Newnan, GA 30263
Telephone: (770) 828-7339