Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses in Florida: What to Know
Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 through November 30. The 2025 forecast from NOAA includes 17 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. These numbers highlight the importance of early planning. If you own or manage commercial real estate in Florida, hurricane preparedness for businesses should be at the top of your…
End of a Commercial Lease: Renewal, Renegotiation, or Exit?
The end of a commercial lease isn’t just a deadline, it’s a decision point. Whether you’re planning to stay, renegotiate, or move on, how you handle the final months of a lease can impact your business long after the agreement ends. Yet many tenants don’t fully understand their rights, options, or the financial risks tied…
Entity Type: How It Impacts Commercial Property Ownership
When buying commercial real estate, most people focus on location, rent potential, and financing terms. But few stop to consider how the entity type used to hold title can affect everything from taxes to lawsuits to long-term ownership flexibility. This one legal decision, often made in a rush, has long-lasting consequences. Whether you’re buying an…
Zoning and Permitting Basics for Small Business Tenants
When you’re opening a new business or relocating to a commercial space, the lease isn’t the only document you should be thinking about. Zoning and permitting issues can delay your opening, increase your costs, or even shut your business down before it starts. These steps are often misunderstood, but they’re a key part of any…
Subleasing and Assignment in Commercial Leases: What Tenants Need to Know
Subleasing and assignment in commercial leases might sound similar, but they have very different legal and financial consequences. As a small business tenant, understanding the difference before you sign a lease can save you from serious problems down the line, especially if your business grows, downsizes, relocates, or shuts down. Commercial leases often lock tenants…
How to Navigate Commercial Lease Agreements
Signing a commercial lease is a significant step for any business. It’s an exciting milestone, but it also comes with serious legal and financial obligations. These contracts are often filled with complex terms, hidden costs, and obligations that could impact your business for years. Understanding what to look for—and what to negotiate—can help you secure…
Common Legal Pitfalls for Small Business Owners
Running a small business is rewarding and challenging. While entrepreneurs focus on growth and profitability, legal compliance often takes a backseat until an issue arises. Legal missteps can lead to costly penalties, lawsuits, and even business closure. As an experienced business lawyer, I have seen small business owners face significant legal challenges that could have…
Real Estate Agents And Lawyers Working Together To Accomplish A Common Goal
It’s no secret that in Florida, many real estate agents are taught there is no need to involve a real estate lawyer. Sometimes, real estate agents and real estate lawyers are at odds during the purchase or sale of a property. Agents want to close the deal as quickly as possible without complications, while lawyers…
Real Estate Agents And The Law – Breach Of Fiduciary Duty
As a real estate agent in the State of Florida, you have a fiduciary duty to your clients. You must act in your client’s best interests, not your own. You must also act with the highest standard of care. “This may include dishonesty, such as not disclosing land disputes or flood risk. Any breach of…
Taxing Commercial Rental Properties In The Sunshine State
Commercial landlords and tenants should be aware of the tax ramifications when doing business in Florida. Florida stands apart from other states in that it subjects commercial real estate rental payments to a state sales tax and a discretionary surtax imposed by the counties where the rental properties are located. Both the sales tax and…
