If you’re a business owner or commercial landlord trying to recover money owed, you’ve probably asked: Should I send a demand letter first… or just file suit? A well-written demand letter can resolve a dispute quickly and cheaply. But in the wrong situation, it’s just a delay that helps the other side stall, lawyer up, … Read more
A practical, guide for DBPR and other Florida administrative cases This article is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Administrative practice is deadline-driven and can be unforgiving—always verify the controlling notice, agency rules, and any case-specific orders. Why Chapter 120 matters Florida’s Administrative Procedure Act (APA)—Chapter 120—is the default playbook for how Florida … Read more
A comprehensive, guide to Fla. Stat. §§ 455.225 and 455.2255 (and how Chapter 120 fits in) This post is for general information, not legal advice. Every board (CILB, ECLB, FREC, etc.) layers its own rules and penalty guidelines on top of these baseline statutes, so the details can shift depending on the profession and the … Read more
Protect your company before the project starts—by tightening the contract that governs the deal. If you run a construction company, trade subcontracting business, property management company, or any other service-based business, your contracts are either protecting you—or quietly exposing you. Many disputes begin the same way: someone relied on a “standard form,” a template from … Read more
When a licensed contractor “qualifies” a construction business they don’t own, the first concern is usually financial — not technical: “If the company mismanages money, am I on the hook?” Florida’s contractor licensing framework includes a role designed to address that concern: the Financially Responsible Officer (FRO). This post explains what an FRO is in plain English … Read more
Why this matters for Florida roofers? Florida law now requires specific “consumer notice” language in residential roof repair and roof replacement contracts—and the required language is not optional. Missing it can create contract risk (owner cancellation/voiding rights) and can also trigger DBPR/CILB discipline. Below are the three compliance items I’m seeing most often in DBPR/CILB enforcement conversations: ✅ (1) State-of-emergency cancellation notice (Fla. … Read more
When a commercial tenant stops paying rent but keeps operating, it puts a landlord in a tough position: you want the space back (and you want your money), but one wrong move can create delay, leverage for the tenant, or even a wrongful eviction claim. This guide is a practical action plan for Florida commercial … Read more
Most business contract disputes don’t start with a dramatic “breach.” They start with an unclear scope, a rushed email chain, a missed condition (like notice-and-cure), or a mismatch between what one side thought the deal was and what the documents actually say. One of the most useful ways to understand Florida breach of contract law is to … Read more
Speed Limits, Sidewalk Rules, Age Requirements (Including Weston, Florida Restrictions) Electric bikes and electric scooters are now common across Florida neighborhoods, sidewalks, and parks. But Florida law draws clear legal boundaries based on speed capability, device classification, and location—and local governments, including the City of Weston, can impose additional restrictions. This guide explains the rules in plain English, with a special … Read more
One of the most common—and costly—mistakes landlords make in Florida eviction cases is miscalculating the 3-Day Notice deadline. Even a one-day error can invalidate the notice, forcing the eviction process to start over and delaying possession of the property. To help landlords avoid that mistake, our firm has created a Florida 3-Day Notice Deadline Calculator, configured using Broward … Read more
Business owners often describe the problem the same way: “Someone owes us money.” But legally and strategically, not every unpaid balance is the same. Some matters are true collections—where the amount due is largely fixed and the defense options are limited. Others are payment disputes—where the defendant doesn’t just deny owing money, but claims there’s a reason … Read more
If you hold (or are considering holding) a Florida contractor license as a qualifying agent for someone else’s company, you are stepping into a role with real exposure. On paper, the business may be the “contractor,” but when problems arise, the State of Florida and third parties often look to the qualifier—especially where supervision, permitting, contracting activity, … Read more
Tenant improvement projects—restaurant build-outs, office renovations, retail upfits, medical suites, and similar work—create a familiar risk: you’re improving valuable real estate, but your contract (and your customer) is the tenant. If the tenant stops paying, a lien that only attaches to the tenant’s leasehold can be a weak remedy. Florida’s Construction Lien Law specifically addresses this scenario in Fla. Stat. … Read more
Florida’s electrical contractor licensing framework is often misunderstood—especially by business owners who are more familiar with the construction (CILB) “qualifier / FRO” world. Here’s the key point: This post explains what that means, why it matters, and what responsibilities come with qualifying an electrical business in Florida. The Statute That Answers the Big Question: Fla. … Read more
Getting served with a lawsuit is disruptive—but the first 10 days often decide whether the case becomes manageable or spirals into unnecessary risk and cost. The biggest early danger isn’t “losing at trial.” It’s missing deadlines, making avoidable admissions, and failing to preserve the evidence and coverage that could reduce exposure. This is a practical triage … Read more
When a business owes you $50,000, $100,000, or more, “collections” isn’t just about being right. It’s about being strategic—because the fastest way to lose money is to spend months litigating and then discover the debtor is judgment-proof. This guide walks Florida businesses through a practical playbook to collect a six-figure invoice (or defend against one), from the demand … Read more
If your customer is an LLC or corporation, collecting a large unpaid balance can turn into a “paper victory” problem: you may prove the debt, win the case, and still struggle to collect. One clause often changes that outcome—a personal guaranty. A personal guaranty is a separate promise by an individual (often an owner) to pay … Read more
When a residential tenant breaks the lease and leaves before the end of the term, Florida law doesn’t force landlords into a single path. Instead, Florida Statute § 83.595 gives landlords a clear set of options—but only after possession has been returned (by writ of possession, surrender, or abandonment). Below is a landlord-friendly breakdown of the four remedies, … Read more
Florida law now expressly allows many landlords to offer an alternative to a traditional security deposit: a fee in lieu of a security deposit. This statute—Fla. Stat. § 83.491—sets the rules for how that option must be offered, documented, and handled at move-out, including special timing requirements when a landlord uses insurance or a surety product. … Read more
Florida contractors often outgrow a single license category. A general contracting firm may want to add roofing capability, an electrical contractor may add another qualifier to expand capacity, or a company may bring on a new qualifier during a transition period. These are all legitimate business moves—but they create a compliance issue that can become … Read more
Florida landlords—both residential and commercial—regularly face the same stressful scenario: The obvious question follows: can the landlord just go in, change the locks, and retake possession on the basis of “abandonment”? Under Florida law, the answer is “sometimes”—but only when very specific statutory conditions are met. If a landlord “jumps the gun” and retakes possession too early, they … Read more
In Florida, construction lien rights are powerful — but easy to lose if you miss a deadline or make a technical mistake. Many contractors and subcontractors assume that just doing the work is enough to secure their right to get paid. Unfortunately, that’s not how Florida’s lien law works. Florida Statutes Chapter 713 sets out … Read more
A Practical Checklist for Business Owners and Contractors Late payments are frustrating. Unpaid invoices? Even worse. But how do you know when it’s time to stop chasing and start enforcing? If your internal efforts aren’t working, there comes a point where hiring a Florida business attorney for collections is simply the smart business move. Here are five signs … Read more
Many Florida landlords think that once a tenant is evicted or vacates involuntarily, the security deposit can simply be applied to unpaid rent or damages. That is a costly mistake.Florida Statute § 83.49 applies even when you regain possession through eviction or writ of possession. If you plan to keep any portion of the deposit, you must strictly follow the … Read more
If a demand letter just landed in your inbox or mailbox, don’t panic—and don’t ignore it. This guide explains what to do in the first 72 hours, the legal and business implications in Florida, and how our firm can craft a response that protects your leverage while aiming to resolve the dispute quickly and cost‑effectively. Why … Read more
When a commercial tenant defaults, Florida landlords have more than one legal path to protect themselves. Unlike residential evictions, commercial leases and statutes give landlords a range of remedies that can be tailored to the situation. The strategic question is not only what remedy to elect, but also when and how to bring the claims. The Three Classic Commercial … Read more
Selling Property in Florida and Facing a “Failure to Disclose” Claim? You sold your home or condominium in Florida, only to receive a letter from the buyer — or their attorney — accusing you of failing to disclose problems with the property. These failure to disclose claims are stressful, especially when you acted honestly and complied with … Read more
When the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or a professional licensing board issues a Final Order against a licensed contractor, real estate agent, or other professional, the consequences can be severe—suspension, revocation, or monetary penalties. Fortunately, Florida law provides a formal process to challenge these actions through judicial review. At Douglas Firm, we … Read more
When a deal falls through or a business partner doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain, the damage can go beyond immediate costs. Often, the real harm is in the profits your business expected to earn — and didn’t. That’s where lost profits come in. In Florida, you can sue for lost profits in a business dispute, but … Read more
Understanding Your Rights Under Florida Statute § 489.126 Hiring a contractor is supposed to improve your home—not leave you in financial limbo. Unfortunately, it’s all too common in Florida: a homeowner hires a contractor, pays a large deposit, and then… nothing happens. No permits. No work. Just unanswered calls and growing frustration. If this has … Read more