ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The combination of the still-sour national economy, a stagnant housing market, and Florida’s double-digit unemployment have created a new social imperative: What to do about a couple facing divorce, unable to sell their home, with neither partner able to afford it alone?

“Divorcing couples are letting houses go to foreclosure because neither the husband or wife can afford it alone, or they get divorced and live separately in the same house. Neither option is good. They are very stressful situations.”

“We’re seeing it more and more,” said Shawn Yesner, a partner in the law firm, Yesner & Boss, P.L. (www.YesnerBoss.com). “Divorcing couples are letting houses go to foreclosure because neither the husband or wife can afford it alone, or they get divorced and live separately in the same house. Neither option is good. They are very stressful situations.”

To assist their clients with these new issues, Yesner & Boss, a firm that represents clients in residential and commercial short sales, bankruptcies and foreclosures, has created a family law division. Divorce attorney Brian Arrighi has joined Yesner & Boss to develop a family law practice while expanding the firm's current practice in the New Tampa, Brandon, and Wesley Chapel areas. In addition, Yesner & Boss has also opened an office in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.

“Bringing Brian aboard will allow us to develop a family-law division,” said Yesner & Boss partner, Christopher Boss. “Brian will be especially valuable when we have clients who find themselves facing the dual problems of divorce and foreclosure. Brian fits perfectly into what we do already, as well as taking us into territory that is new to the firm.”

According to RealtyTrac, which compiles real estate statistics nationwide, Florida has eight of the 20 markets with the highest foreclosure rates in the country, including the Bradenton/Sarasota/Venice area and Lakeland. The situation is exacerbated by Florida’s unemployment rate, which stands at more than 12 percent.

Divorce lawyer Brian Arrighi represents clients in all types of family law cases, including dissolution of marriage, custody, paternity, child support, alimony, and division of assets and liabilities. While Brian Arrighi's primary office is located in New Tampa, he represents clients all across the Tampa Bay area.

SARASOTA, FL – Yesner & Boss, P.L., a Tampa Bay area law firm focusing on residential and commercial real estate closings, real estate litigation, foreclosure defense and short sales, has opened an office at 1819 Main Street, Suite 215, Sarasota, FL 34236. The firm also offers the full range of legal practice, including civil litigation, bankruptcies, business law, family law, personal injury, and wills, trusts and probate.

Heading the Sarasota office is experienced attorney and certified public accountant Jo Ann M. Koontz, formerly of Icard Merrill of Sarasota, who joined Yesner & Boss in February. Koontz will focus on helping buyers and sellers of commercial and residential properties, determining the tax consequences to sellers of short sales, foreclosures and bankruptcies. She will also continue to focus on business law and tax law.

Founded in November 2004 by Shawn M. Yesner, the firm now has three offices – in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Sarasota – with a fourth office planned in Brandon. Christopher W. Boss, co-owner and managing member, joined Yesner in 2008. He divides his time between the St. Petersburg and Sarasota offices.

Koontz earned both her B.S. in Business Administration and her Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University. She is experienced in real estate law, 1031 exchanges, S corporations, partnership and LLC formation and reorganization, and the tax implications of those activities. Her dual experience in tax and legal matters has garnered her speaking engagements before the Florida Institute of CPAs and the Florida Financial Planners Association, among others. She is a scheduled speaker in the June 2010 national conference of the American Association of Attorney Certified Public Accountants.

“Regulations are changing rapidly in today’s real estate and economic climate, and Jo Ann is at the forefront of those changes,” said Boss. “Her dual experience helps Yesner & Boss clients understand the tax ramifications of their business and real estate options so they can make the best decisions for their situation.”

“I was attracted to Yesner & Boss because of its hands-on, personalized approach,” said Koontz. “It is important to me to be able to remain accessible and responsive to clients. The firm’s team approach also allows me to keep abreast of all facets of a client’s case.”

Koontz can be reached at (941) 362-0050 or joann@yesnerboss.com.