Previous Law Firm Name

• Law Office of Karen (K.) Powell Ward, July 1, 2007
• Ward, Ketchersid & Lathem, P.A., July 1, 2008

Languages

• English(Primary)
• Spanish

Law Firm Overview

We provide legal services in all aspects of REAL ESTATE, BUSINESS, WILLS, TRUSTS & ESTATES, PROBATE, COMMERCIAL COLLECTIONS, CIVIL LITIGATION, CRIMINAL and FAMILY LAW for clients throughout Northwest Florida.

Ms. Ward is a fifth generation, life-long native of Northwest Florida. Prior to entering the practice of law, Ms. Ward had over 20 years of experience as a business woman and Realtor. Ms. Ward's background includes real estate brokerage, investment, residential and condominium development, commercial leasing and shopping center development, marketing, advertising, manufacturing, and retail.

Ms. Ward founded the firm in April 2000.

• Real Estate Law: Ms. Ward has been an active Lic. Fla. Real Estate Broker since 1979. The firm provides complete real estate legal services, including real estate brokerage law, contracts, leases, condominium formation and conversion, homeowner and condominium associations, transaction negotiation, landlord/tenant law, construction law, mortgage foreclosures, title defects and boundary disputes, litigation, closings, title insurance, and escrow services. The firm is an authorized agent for Old Republic Title Insurance Co. and a member of Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund Services, LLC. Ms. Ward is a member of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, the Florida Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors, and the Multiple Listing Service.
• Probate, Wills, Trusts, Healthcare, Tax & Estate Planning:  Mr. Ketchersid holds a master of laws degree in Tax.  The Firm assists clients in planning for protection and preservation of assets for the present and the future. The firm provides tax planning, estate tax planning, wills, trusts, advance health care directives, durable powers of attorney, living wills, and probate services.
• Business Law: The firm strives to provide efficient and viable economic solutions to our clients' business matters and approaches these matters from a business perspective. The firm's services include business formation and dissolution, contracts,  commercial debt collection, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, employment law, general business matters, and litigation.
• Family Law: Issues involved in divorce can be emotionally and financially stressful. We strive to provide quality legal services to our family law clients with care, inderstanding, and empathy. The firm provides experienced legal services in all areas of family law.
• Criminal Law:  The Firm provides defense in DUI, Boating Under the Influence, Assault & Battery, Drug Offenses, Domestic Violence, Violation of Probation, misdemeanor offenses, criminal trespass, theft, worthless checks, and other criminal charges.

Areas of Practice

• Real Estate Law
• Condominium Law
• Residential and Commercial Real Estate
• Construction Law
• Leases and Contracts
• Business Law
• Civil Litigation
• Tax and Estate Planning
• Retirement Planning
• Trusts, Wills and Probate Estate Settlements
• Family Law
• Divorce
• Child Support
• Wills and Trusts
• Commercial Collections
• Creditor's Rights
• Civil Litigation
• Criminal Law

Representative Clients

• Evabank
• First State Bank
• Gulf Coast Energy, Inc.
• Gulf Terrace Condominium Assoc., Inc.
• Hogan Hardwoods & Mouldings, Inc.
• Interface Financial Group, Inc.
• Merchants & Farmers Bank
• Private Capital Group
• Seacove Condominium & Townhomes Assoc., Inc
• Shoal River Homeowner's Assoc., Inc.

Ancillary Businesses

• Ms. Ward has been an active Lic. Fla. Real Estate Broker since 1979
• Real Estate Closings, Title Insurance, & Escrow Services

West Practice Categories

Bankruptcy Law, Creditors' Rights, Business & Commercial Law, Commercial Leasing, Contracts, Debtor/Creditor, Transactions, Business Organizations, Collections, Construction Law, Construction Liens, Criminal Law, DUI/DWI, Drug Violations, Misdemeanor, Estate Planning, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney and Appointment, Trusts, Wills, Family Law, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence & Neglect, Paternity, Title Insurance, Litigation & Appeals, State Trial Practice, Probate & Estate Administration, Estate Administration, Real Estate Law, Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums & Cooperatives, Conveyancing, Foreclosure & Alternatives, Landlord/Tenant, Residential Real Estate, Estate & Gift Taxation, Property (Ad Valorem) Taxes