Castro Potts Law Firm

04/18/2026

Wonder which appellate court your case would go to? This is a useful breakdown of Florida's state court system and related jurisdiction. Interestingly, appeals from Charlotte County officially moved from the Second District Court of Appeal to the newly created Sixth District Court of Appeal on January 1, 2023.

04/17/2026

Construction Liens in Florida: The Basics

Short answer: timing and technicalities matter.

Contractors generally have 90 days from last furnishing to record a lien—and that’s a hard deadline. What counts as “last furnishing” can be more complicated than it sounds.

If the contractor is not in direct contract with the owner, they usually need to serve a Notice to Owner within 45 days to preserve lien rights. But, there are exceptions such as certain professionals like engineers.

For property owners, a recorded lien can affect your ability to sell or refinance until it’s satisfied, bonded off, or otherwise resolved. Liens typically last one year unless shortened to 60 days by a Notice of Contest.

Construction lien law in Florida is highly technical—and small mistakes can be costly on either side.

If you have questions about filing a lien or dealing with one, feel free to reach out.

📞 (941) 300-9595
🔗 CastroPottsLaw.com

04/03/2026

Can I Make the Other Side Pay My Attorney’s Fees?
Short answer: it depends. Typical lawyer answer, I know.

If attorney’s fees are recoverable, it is usually determined at the end of the litigation process. Unless the claim is a personal injury claim (or another contingency fee matter), you typically have to pay your own attorney’s fees as the case progresses—even if you may later be entitled to recover them after prevailing.

Attorney’s fees may be recoverable in certain situations, including when there is:
• A contract between the parties that provides for attorney’s fees
• A statute that authorizes fees (such as construction liens under Fla. Stat. Ch. 713)
• A valid Proposal for Settlement that shifts fees under Florida law

Fee recovery is not automatic—even when available, it often depends on strict compliance with legal requirements, timing, and sometimes judicial discretion.

Because attorney’s fees can significantly impact the value and strategy of a case, it’s something that should be evaluated early.
If you have questions about your specific situation, feel free to reach out.

📞 Call us at (941) 300-9595
🔗 Visit us at CastroPottsLaw.com

11/26/2025

What to Do After a Car Accident: The First Step That Protects Your Health and Your Claim

After a car accident, an injured person may not immediately realize they are hurt and may delay getting evaluated. Adrenaline and the body’s natural response to stress can mask discomfort in immediate aftermath of a crash. But waiting to be seen can affect both your legal recovery and your ability to use your PIP benefits in Florida. You have only 14 days to be seen by a medical professional for PIP benefits to apply.

Early medical documentation is also important from a legal standpoint to show causation. Even a simple initial evaluation creates a record that can make a difference later. It is important to note that PIP benefits can be limited to $2,500 if a medical provider does not determine that an emergency medical condition exists, so be aware that difference can result in out-of-pocket expenses.

If you’d like more information about what to do in the first few days after a crash, feel free to message us. Stay safe.

📞Call us at (941) 300-9595
🔗Visit us at CastroPottsLaw.com

09/29/2025

🌟Personal Injury Client Review Spotlight🌟

Nothing makes our day like a happy client!

Check out this awesome review we just received: “I have been so lucky to have Sara working on my personal injury case! I’ve worked with a handful of attorneys in my lifetime, and while all have been good, Sara was by far the best. She and Susan have been so kind, answering any questions that I’ve had along the way. Both were prompt at answering emails, calls, and even text messages. Sara was personable and kind, never making me feel like I was a bother. They worked very hard to get a fair settlement for my injury claim, and I could not be happier! Thank you!”

Your positive feedback means the world to us. Thank you for trusting us with your legal needs.

We’re committed to providing top-notch legal support and ensuring every client feels heard and supported. If you’re in need of legal assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!

📲 Call us at (941) 300-9595
🔗 Visit us at CastroPottsLaw.com

09/17/2025

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 Sara Castro President of the Sarasota County Bar Association 2025-2026

We’re happy to announce that Sara Castro, Managing Attorney here at the firm, is serving as President of the Sarasota County Bar Association for the 2025–2026 term.

Sara has been an active member of the SCBA for many years and brings a strong sense of dedication to the legal community here in Sarasota. As President, she’ll be working alongside local attorneys and judges to support the SCBA’s mission.

We look forward to a great year ahead for the SCBA!

10/23/2024

🌟 Happy Paralegal's Day! 🎉

Today, we want to give a huge shoutout to the unsung heroes of every legal team, especially our very own amazing Florida Registered Paralegal Susan Bates! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

As a Florida Registered Paralegal, Susan meets multiple criteria above and beyond what is required to be a paralegal, including ongoing continuing education. With extensive experience working within the court system, Susan has spent six years as a Deputy Clerk at Charlotte County Clerk of Courts, covering the Murdock and Englewood Annexes, as well as the Records and Civil Divisions in Punta Gorda. Her roles included Records Clerk, Court Clerk, Central Intake Clerk, and Court Services Supervisor. This wealth of experience allows her to expertly tackle just about every issue we encounter.

Paralegals are absolutely indispensable and keep our sanity intact! Whether it's wrangling paperwork, conducting research, or just keeping lawyers from wandering off track, paralegals do it all with grace and a sense of humor.

Here’s to paralegals, the true MVPs of the legal world! 🥳 Cheers to your hard work, dedication, and incredible multitasking skills. You deserve all the treats and appreciation today!

10/08/2024

🌪️ **PSA for Homeowners re: Contractors Post-Storm** 🌪️

We understand that many of you are currently in preparation and anxiety mode. As a firm based in North Port, we are as well. However, after the storm, we may face internet outages. Therefore, it is important to highlight a concerning practice we've observed among contractors that has caused significant stress and financial burden for vulnerable hurricane victims immediately following storms.

🔍 **Beware of This Common Trap**: One of the most common issues we’ve seen after recent storms involves companies promising homeowners they will handle all the repairs now and bill the insurance later—you won’t have to worry about or pay for anything and we will just bill the insurance.

In a vulnerable and exhausted state, many homeowners sign these contracts, only to face a shocking reality months later: a bill for THOUSANDS of dollars. When they reach out to the contractor, they often hear the same discouraging news: "Read your contract; you’re liable for any amount not covered by insurance."

We’ve witnessed this scenario time and time again. The companies then pressure the homeowner to hire counsel to sue the insurance company or be left holding the bill.

💰 This situation also encourages contractors to overbill and inflate their invoices, often claiming there isn’t time to provide a reasonable estimate upfront, exploiting the urgency of the emergency.

📄 **Take the Time to Read**: Before you sign anything, take a moment to read the contract. Understand what you’re agreeing to. Salespeople may assure you that everything will be covered, but that’s not always the case. The words of a salesperson can differ significantly from what’s written in the agreement.

✨ **Protect Yourself**: By being informed and cautious, you can save yourself time, stress, and the attorney’s fees associated with a legal battle. Choose contractors who are transparent and honest with you from the start.

💼 Now, often times you do need to hire an attorney to get full value paid on your insurance claim, and that’s ok. However, you should have the choice to do that and control the claim, not be forced to do it to avoid being personally liable for a massive invoice.

While safety remains our top priority, being informed now will help you navigate hiring a contractor after the storm. While we know there ARE good contractors—both local and those who travel to assist when we need extra help—it’s crucial to be vigilant about potential scams.

Stay safe, and let’s look out for one another during this storm and after! 💪🏽💙

09/08/2024

🐾🎉 Friday was a *pawsitively* delightful day at the office! Our client brought by her adorable pups, and our amazing receptionist and legal assistant, Kim Leas, had the pleasure of giving them a warm welcome. 🐶💼

At Castro Potts Law Firm, we understand that legal matters can be ruff, but our team is always here to offer support through the process! 😄⚖️

We’re *fur-ever* grateful for moments like these that add a little extra joy to our day. Here’s to our four-legged friends who make even the toughest cases a bit brighter!

08/16/2024

🌟 Client Testimonial Spotlight 🌟

We’re grateful to receive a review from one of our wonderful clients! Here’s what they had to say: “Hands down the BEST personal injury attorney you’ll ever find! Highly recommend her!!” – Jennifer Carvell

Your positive feedback means the world to us. Thank you for trusting us with your legal needs.

We’re committed to providing top-notch legal support and ensuring every client feels heard and supported. If you’re in need of legal assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!

📲 Call us at (941) 300-9595

🔗 Visit us at CastroPottsLaw.com

Our representation focuses on achieving your goals in an efficient and effective manner. We believe in transparent legal analysis and counseling that provides valuable and accessible representation and allows you to make informed decisions. Our goal is to provide clients a better overall experience,...