Gause & Hargrove, PLLC

Attorneys and Counselors at Law

(352) 343-7424

With Our Attorneys.

With Real Experience.

With Gause & Hargrove.

Your Case. Better Results.

ABOUT GAUSE & HARGROVE

Client focused,
Relationship driven.

Honesty. Integrity. Loyalty.

We Take On The Unusual.

Gause & Hargrove takes cases that are outside of the ordinary by keeping up to date on new areas of the law.

Our Clients Are Priority.

Gause & Hargrove strives to ensure our clients stay up to date on their cases.

You Talk, We Listen.

Gause & Hargrove listens to what our clients' needs are so we can provide the best representation possible.

Champions For Our Clients.

With over 27 years of combined attorney experience, Gause & Hargrove is the winner for our clients.

Ready for trial? We are.

GAUSE & HARGROVE ATTORNEYS


BETH ANN GAUSE

Raised in Lake County, Ms. Gause graduated from Leesburg High School, Lake Sumter Community College, University of Central Florida (magna cum laude), and the University of Florida College of Law.


Ms. Gause heads our Civil Litigation section. She previously practiced in Orlando with Fassett, Anthony & Taylor, P.A. and in Naples, FL with Louis X. Amato. Ms. Gause's practice areas consist of Business Law, Commercial and Civil Litigation, Estates and Trusts, Real Estate, Bankruptcy, Banking Law, and Family Law. While in Naples, Ms. Gause was a co-author of Select Issues in Cash Collateral and Executory Contracts, Stetson University College of Law, International Bankruptcy Symposium, Varenna, Italy, June, 2002.


Ms. Gause is a member of the Florida Bar, the Middle District of Florida Federal Bar, and the United States Supreme Court Bar.

Laura Hargrove

Born in Orlando and raised in Lake County, Ms. Hargrove graduated from Tavares High School, Columbia College, and Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University College of Law.


Ms. Hargrove leads our Criminal Defense section. She previously worked as a Lake County Deputy from 1991-2002, where she held various positions such as narcotics detective, tactical team member, and field training officer, and continues to instruct advanced criminal justice classes. Ms. Hargrove was also employed by Boeing and Lockheed Martin as a private contractor for homeland security. Ms. Hargrove was a law clerk to the Honorable Walter Komanski, and later became a prosecutor in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.


Ms. Hargrove is a member of the Florida Bar, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Middle District of Florida Federal Bar.

Gause & Hargrove

Gause & Hargrove has over 27 years of combined experience as attorneys representing clients in various areas of law. We handle unique cases that many other firms are hesitant to accept. Gause & Hargrove is technologically advanced, yet provides the personal touches expected from our clients.

The commitment of Gause & Hargrove allows our clients to feel confident their interests are being protected at all times. Our lawyers and staff have the ability, creativity and work ethic to deliver results.

Although Gause & Hargrove is based out of Lake County, our attorneys cover all of Central Florida including Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Sumter, Marion and Osceola counties.

Gause & Hargrove is client focused, relationship driven legal representation located in Tavares. See what Gause & Hargrove can do for you.

(352) 343-7424

Criminal Defense

Gause & Hargrove has over a decade of experience defending clients against criminal charges, and over 25 years experience in the criminal justice field. No case is too big or too small. Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor disorderly charge to a violent felony charge, we have experience defending it.

Attorney Laura Hargrove leads our Criminal Defense section. Ms. Hargrove incorporates her prior service as a Deputy Sheriff, law enforcement instructor, and Prosecuter to build a stellar defense for our clients.

As your attorney, I promise to defend you with a results driven focus supported by my reputation, experience and success.

lawyer signature

Civil Litigation

Gause & Hargrove has almost three decades of combined experience in Civil Litigation. There is no case to big or too small for representation. Our attorneys have provided representation to large out of state corporations involved in complex litigation as well as to individual clients all the way to small claims. Regardless of the size of the case or client, we provide the personal touch expected from a small firm with the knowledge and experience of large firms.

Attorney Beth Ann Gause leads the Civil Litigation section at Gause & Hargrove. Ms. Gause has represented clients in federal and state courts across the State of Florida. Her vast experience has led to beneficial case settlements and successful trial outcomes.

As your attorney, I promise to guide you through your case step by step, and represnt you with a result driven focus supported by my reputation, experience and success.

lawyer signature

Appeals

Gause & Hargrove has represented clients in numerous types of appeals, and has experience arguing in front of the district court of appeal. Appeals are much different than other types of legal issues. An appeal cannot be made simply because the outcome of the case is not one that was liked. There must be a legal basis for an appeal.

There is normally only one chance to appeal so it is important to identify all of the issues that could be appealed, and determine which issues should be appealed.

The rules for filing an appeal are very specific, and if not followed exactly can result in a valid appeal being dismissed or denied. If you have a case decision that you would like to discuss appealing, please contact Gause & Hargrove immediately as the time for filing an appeal is very short.

Administrative Law

Gause & Hargrove has represented clients in numerous Administrative legal issues. Administrative legal issues normally involve govenrmental regulatory agencies or boards such as the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regualtions, Florida Board of Nursing and other types of regulatory agencies or boards.

Clients faced with claims against a professional license, or lack thereof, should obtain an attorney for representation. A client's entire livelyhood can rest in the hands of an Administrative claim.

Gause & Hargrove has successfully represented numerous clients in Administrative legal issues, and looks forward to discussing your Administrative legal matter.

Land Use Law

Gause & Hargrove has much experience representing clients in Land Use matters. Land Use matters can involve issues such as development permits, variance requests, and zoning issues to name a few. Land Use matters normally stem from a client wanting to make use of their own land, or fighting an intended land use of property that someone else owns.

Land Use matters can become complicated and involve much unneeded expense if not addressed properly from the beginning. Therefore, it is important for clients to obtain legal advice and guidance early in a Land Use matter. It is just as important to seek legal advice and guidance early in a fight against a proposed Land Use. Numerous rights can be waived if a Land Use issue is not addressed in a timely manner.

Gause & Hargorve makes every attempt to resolve a Land Use issue before any legal action is taken. However, sometimes clients have no other choice than to pursue legal action to enforce their rights in a Land Use matter. Contact Gause & Hargrove to discuss your Land Use matter today.

Wills, Estates and Trusts

Gause & Hargrove has assisted numerous Florida residents in preparing their estate matters. Estate matters generally consist of preparing documents to protect you and your assets, provide directions to others that may have to attend to your needs, and later ensuring that your needs and wishes are properly carried out.

Estate matters are rarely simple regardless of how minimal you may believe your assets are. In fact, estate planning is designed to ensure that even if you become ill and unable to handle your affairs that you have someone else that has authority to handle them for you. While many people have created their own estate documents from ready-made forms, issues with these forms is usually not found until it is too late.

This is why it is so important to have an attorney prepare your estate documents for you. At Gause & Hargrove, we understand the reasons why some people are resistant to preplanning. We will guide you through the process and help you understand the need for estate documents now. Contact Gause & Hargrove today to schedule a consult to discuss your estate planning.

Frequently Asked Questions & Our latest articles.

This is very basic information and may not be applicable to your specific case.
Contact Gause & Hargrove to schedule a consult for your paticular matter.

Do not discuss your arrest with anyone except an attorney. Anything that you say to someone else could be used against you later even if the person is not an officer. This includes not making any comments on social media. Gause & Hargrove actually recommends deactivating any social media accounts immediately. You should contact Gause & Hargrove to schedule a consult to discuss the facts surrounding your arrest.
Getting served with a lawsuit is an extremely stressful situation. You should contact an attorney immediately to help determine your next step. Most lawsuits must be answered within 20 days after being served. If you do not file an answer, you could automatically lose the case. You should contact Gause & Hargrove to schedule a consult with one of our attorneys to assist you if you are being sued.
Filing an appeal is no simple task and should not be taken lightly. It is strongly recommended that you have an attorney review your case before filing any appeals. If you are considering filing your own appeal you should review the Pro Se Appellate Handbook. Gause & Hargrove can assist you with all of your appellate needs Contact us to schedule a consult before you file an appeal.
If you are considering filing for a divorce, you are already in a stressful situation. While you can file for a divorce without an attorney, it is recommended that you consult an attorney first. You could give up valuable rights that you are entitled to that you may be unaware of if you do not seek assitance from an attorney. Florida provides self-help forms to assist individuals in filing for a divorce. Many individuals that are not attorneys, "non-lawyers", will charge a fee to assist in filling out self-help documents. A non-lawyer cannot give you legal advice, provide assistance, or make any recommendations to you. A non-lawyer can ONLY type the handwritten information that you have provided to them onto the self-help forms. A non-lawyer may not refer to themselves as a paralegal if they are not directly supervised by an attorney. (Florida Bar Rules 10-2.1(b)). Contact Gause & Hargrove to schedule a consult with one of our attorneys to assist you with filing for a divorce.
Purchasing a home can be a very exciting time. Whether it is your first home or your fifth home, you should have an attorney review the contract prior to signing on the dotted line. Although real estate agents utilize "standard" purchase agreement forms, there are many issues that can arise. Do not assume that you have to sign a purchase contract "as is". Buying a home is a very expensive commitment. Save your regrets for your landscape and contact Gause & Hargrove to schedule a consult with one of our attorneys to assist you prior to signing a contract.
You have finally decided to venture out on your own and become self-employeed. Congratulations! This is a very big step that if done improperly can have dire consequences. While many people start new businesses without the assistance of an attorney, it does not necessarily mean they are doing it correctly. Opening a business without the assistance of an attorney can create tax issues, unnecessary liabilty, and undue stress upon a new owner. Contact Gause & Hargrove to schedule a consult with one of our attorneys to assist you in protecting yourself, your family and your business.
Everyone needs a Will, and many people believe that these are very simple documents. However, a Will is a legal document that tells the world how you want your assets distributed, who should care for your minor children, if you have any, and who will oversee carrying out your wishes. While this is just a basic description of what a Will is for, this is not a document that you should entrust to a fill-in-the-blank form. Every state has differing laws that apply to determine if a Will is valid. These laws can frequently change as well. If you filled out a Will from a form, you may be leaving your family in quite a quandry. Contact Gause & Hargrove to schedule a consult with one of our attorneys to assist you with preparing a proper Will and Estate documents in Florida.
Unfortunately, life comes with some bumps in the road. If one of those bumps includes eviction issues, the resolution may not always seem so simple. Landlords and tenants alike have certain responsibilities during the eviction process. For those that want to represent themselves*, it is possible; however, it is always best to consult an attorney about your legal rights and responsibilities in your particular case. Contact GHLaw to assist you with your eviction process today.

If you decide to represent yourself, you should be familiar with Chapter 83 of the Florida Statutes. If the eviction involves a personal residence, you should read Part II - Residential Tenancies. The Florida Bar website is a great resource for information and forms. The Landlord and Tenant forms have been approved by the Florida Supreme Court. However, because the law is continually changing, there is no guarantee that these forms comport with current law. These forms are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

*Corporate Entities including limited liability companies (LLCs), must be represented by a lawyer in order to file documents in court and/or appear in court. They may not be represented by a non-lawyer, employees, or agents. The only exception is that a property manager who has written authorization from the landlord may handle an eviction on the landlord’s behalf. That exception only applies if 1) The eviction is for failure to pay rent and 2) the eviction is uncontested. If the eviction is considered contested, the property manager’s authorization to act on behalf of the landlord ends when a hearing is required.
20 MAY 19
Gause & Hargrove would like to announce the newest addition to our team, Leah J. Norris, law clerk.


Ms. Norris was born in Eustis and has deep roots in Lake County. Ms. Norris graduated from Eustis High School and went on to obtain her A.A. degree from Lake Sumter Community College. Ms. Norris obtained her B.A. in Agriculture Economics from the University of Florida. Leah is currently attending Florida A & M College of Law.

Many of you might recognize Ms. Norris from her prior employment at the Lake County Fair or through her many community activities that she participates in. When you see Ms. Norris, please welcome her to the Gause & Hargrove family.

07 MAY 19
Chart: Florida medical cannabis market surges ahead, with five companies dominating


01 SEP 18
Driving Impaired is Expensive


Contact Us