James Blount Griffin

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.

• 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.

Alabama

Since 2011

Georgia

Since 2001

Principal

James B. Griffin, LLC

2014 - Current

Help clients find the peace of mind re: family and property through estate planning, wills, trusts, probate law, real estate law, property law, and business succession planning. Focus directly on the clients and prefer to bill by the task than by the hour.

Associate

Bishop Colvin Johnson & Kent, LLC

2011 - 2014

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

2002 - 2011

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

2001 - 2002

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.

Vanderbilt University Law School

J.D. (2001) | Law

1998 - 2001

Honors: Associate Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law Phi Delta Phi

Activities: St. Thomas More Society, Federalist Society

University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa

M.A. (1990) | History

1986 - 1990

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

Gordon College

B.A. (1984) | Economics & History

1980 - 1984

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

Environmental Law Section of State Bar of Georgia

Chairman

2010 - 2011

Activities: Served as officer for four years and then as chairman. Organized annual conference and edited publications.

A Predictive Framework for the Effectiveness of International Criminal Tribunals

34 VAND. J. TRANSNAT’L L. 405 (2001)

2001

"Handling Ethical Issues in Engineering and Surveying Practice", Legal Issues for Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors, Birmingham, AL

May 5, 2015

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

May 5, 2015

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

October 1, 2014

National Business Institute

"Stay On Top of Environmental Considerations", Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision, Annexation, & Zoning, Birmingham, AL

October 1, 2014

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

July 30, 2013

National Business Institute

Explained how zoning law works and how you can get in trouble when requesting or making land-use decisions.

Q. Locked out of deceased brother's house, seeking legal actions to regain access.

May 1, 2025

A: This is complicated. In real estate, all rights and interests must be in writing- from leases to deeds to liens to easements. Nonetheless, because you are family, you might be able to claim an "equitable interest" in his property. Thus, standard eviction procedures might not work against you. Because you are locked out of the house, however, you will need to prove that you have a right to be there and that you were therefore unlawfully evicted. Find a good lawyer in your county to handles odd cases. Your argument in front of the judge is that you were brothers, and therefore, you are NOT a tenant, and your brother was not a landlord. Otherwise, the judge will say, "Where is your lease?" ... Read More

Q. Is there a grandfather clause in Alabama preventing HOA fee increases for exempt properties?

April 30, 2025

A: The lawyer's answer is: "It depends." Lawyers argue cases using the documents drafted, properly enacted, and sometimes recorded by HOAs. Exhibit A would be the subdivision covenants. Exhibit B would be the constitutional documents of the HOA's board of directors. Exhibit C would be the minutes and records of HOA meetings. Without these things, you cannot effectively fight the HOA. You need to clearly show that the HOA violated its own rules.

Q. Options for dealing with a spouse's house and mortgage after estate closes in Alabama?

April 30, 2025

A: A will in Alabama must be probated by the court within five years of the death of the decedent. Are you the Personal Representative or Executor under the Will? If so, you would need an attorney to help you open the estate, obtain for you "Letters Testamentary," and assist in the transfer of the property by "Executor's Deed" from the executor of the estate (i.e., you) under the Will to you as the surviving spouse. Unless you probate the Will within five years of his death you set yourself up for troubles later.