The Orlando Law Group
Florida voters will soon decide whether to approve one of the most significant property tax changes proposed in recent years. During the 2026 regular legislative session, lawmakers considered CS/CS/HJR 203, a proposal that would have gradually expanded Florida’s homestead exemption and eventually eliminated certain non-school property taxes on primary residences. That version did not become […]
Serving on a Homeowners’ Association (HOA) board of directors comes with real responsibility. Board members help manage community finances, enforce governing documents, oversee vendors, and make decisions that affect every homeowner in the neighborhood. Florida law also places specific legal requirements on HOA boards, particularly when it comes to meetings, records, contracts, and collection procedures. Whether you […]
Serving on a Condominium Owners’ Association (COA) board is more than attending meetings and voting on community issues. Board members are responsible for managing finances, maintaining shared property, enforcing governing documents, and making sure the association complies with Florida law. Recent legislative changes—especially after the Surfside tragedy—have added new requirements for condominium boards related to building safety, inspections, […]
Starting March 1, 2026, the federal government will require certain residential real estate transactions to be reported to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This new requirement applies to specific high-risk, non-financed real estate transfers and is designed to increase transparency and prevent illicit financial activity, especially in all-cash purchases involving LLCs or trusts. If […]
As many local governments end their small-business certification processes and set-aside programs, one local government continues to offer targeted programs for small businesses. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) operates one of Central Florida’s most significant economic engines through its management of Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport. Each year, it spends nearly $1 […]
Like all governments, the State of Florida spends billions of dollars with companies on all types of goods and services each year. Everything that a private business needs is also needed by the state government, only on a much larger scale than most businesses. State officials understand the need to contract with Florida-based small businesses, […]
It’s no secret that bills are getting more and more expensive. Insurance, electricity, groceries, and more keep climbing with little end in sight. With such an increase in costs of living, mortgage foreclosures are once again on the rise as people simply can not keep up with inflation. A recent report by Attom Data showed […]
Use the Holiday Slowdown to Get Ahead; We’ll Help You Plan a Strong 2026. For business owners, December is hectic, but it also gives you a brief moment to look at the bigger picture. Before 2026 ramps up, this is the perfect time to check in on the legal protections that keep your business stable, […]
Plan Now. Handle Things Throughout 2026. The holidays finally give most families one rare gift: a little breathing room. Not to overhaul your entire life (no one is doing that in December), but to pause long enough to look ahead at what you may want to handle in 2026. Think of this guide as a […]
As prices continue to rise, more and more homeowners are looking at a bleak reality when it comes to their mortgage, particularly in Central Florida. A recent report by Attom Data showed Florida and, particularly the Central Florida area, is leading the country in mortgage foreclosures. In fact, one out of roughly every 1,800 homes […]
Recently, we’ve talked a lot about succession planning. After all, a recent study of small businesses by U.S. Bank showed more than half of small business owners are less than 10 years from retiring. Most business owners want to transfer their business to their children, but many are looking for alternatives to keeping the business […]
Florida may be the Sunshine State, but in recent years, Central Florida has experienced more frequent and severe flooding than ever before. Heavy summer storms and unpredictable weather patterns have left neighborhoods dealing with standing water, property damage, and costly repairs. Now, beginning October 1, 2025, the state is taking a major step toward transparency. […]
Much of succession planning is about the wants and desires of the founder and their heirs. To start any succession planning, the family must come together to decide what the future of the business looks like and the roles each of the family members will have over time. Then, the next step is deciding how […]
The recent study of small businesses by U.S. Bank focused on succession planning for small businesses. As more than half of small business owners are less than 10 years from retiring, the group looked at how business owners were contemplating their business’s future. It was no surprise that the most common answer is that business […]
A significant generational transfer of wealth and businesses is underway in the United States and will continue over the next decade or so. That’s because more than 50 percent of small businesses are owned by someone over 55 years old. And nearly all of them, according to a recent study by U.S. Bank, are planning […]
Detectives in Volusia County recently issued an arrest warrant after more than 100 Seabreeze High School students and chaperones lost nearly $400,000 in a canceled class trip. The group had signed up with a Massachusetts travel agency for a nine-day journey through Italy and Greece, paying more than $3,500 each for airfare, lodging, and excursions. […]
Florida has made a landmark change for business owners: the repeal of the state’s commercial rental tax, often called the “business rent tax.” Under House Bill 7031 (2025), this tax will be eliminated beginning October 1, 2025. Florida has been the only state in the nation charging statewide sales tax on commercial rent since 1968. […]
Florida’s new Trenton’s Law (HB 687) makes major changes to DUI and boating penalties. It also raises a question many drivers have: If you’re pulled over or arrested for DUI in Florida, what exactly can you refuse, and what are the consequences if you do? This guide breaks it down in plain language. Can You […]
A recent study of small businesses in the United States by U.S. Bank presented some troubling statistics when it came to small business succession. More than half of all small businesses in the United States are owned by individuals over 55 years old, and the vast majority of business owners want to retire by the […]
When Bill Belichick left the New England Patriots, he didn’t just leave behind a dynasty of championships; he also left behind a few famous catchphrases. This spring, a management company tied to Belichick’s partner, Jordon Hudson, filed to trademark lines like “Do Your Job” and “No Days Off” with a twist: each phrase would end […]
For years, Rupert Murdoch and his son, Lachlan, have been fighting in court to rework the succession plan the family had initially planned for News Corp. The goal was to give substantial control to Lachlan when Rupert died, so he could continue his father’s legacy of being a conservative media company. On September 9, the […]
Earlier, we discussed all the steps you should take to avoid a construction lien being placed on a property. After all, a construction lien being placed on a property is a very serious legal matter – one that could result in foreclosure on the property, with the property being sold to pay a construction company. […]
In an earlier article, we discussed the unforeseen damage from construction projects to your properties. If you aren’t careful, an unscrupulous contractor could easily abscond with your money and not pay the subcontractors. The result? A construction lien has been filed against your home. If the subcontractors are not paid, you could lose your home […]
Heading off to college is a milestone, but for many Florida families, it’s also a legal blind spot. Once your child turns 18, you’re no longer automatically authorized to step in during an emergency. From medical care to financial accounts to academic records, the law views your student as an adult. This guide walks through […]
That moment when your teen slides into the driver’s seat for the first time is a mix of pride, excitement, and, let’s be honest, a bit of fear. Teaching them to drive isn’t just about passing the test, it’s about preparing for the legal, financial, and safety responsibilities that come with this milestone. Over the […]
In recent years, the real estate market has seen a rise in creative financing. While this can mean many things, one of the most common methods is the subject-to transaction. In this scenario, a Buyer purchases property “subject-to” the existing mortgage. This is not the same as assuming the current mortgage, and the difference can have serious, […]
Lady Bird Deeds and Refinancing Refinancing can be stressful enough, but for homeowners with a Lady Bird Deed, lenders sometimes throw an additional hurdle into the process. It’s not uncommon for a lender to request that a Lady Bird Deed be removed before closing. Here’s why this happens, how Lady Bird Deeds work, and what […]
Over the past few years, there has been a national trend to eliminate or weaken non-compete contracts for employers. Last year, we wrote several articles about how the Federal Trade Commission under the Biden administration eliminated non-compete contracts and was then blocked by the federal courts from eliminating them. At the time, the Federal Trade […]
Can I Sell My House Before It Goes Into Foreclosure? We will often meet with clients about what options they have to sell a property instead of losing it to a foreclosure. Contrary to popular opinion, a foreclosure of a property (unless resulting in a short sale) does not result in a loss of all […]
Unfolding in Southwest Florida is truly every homeowner’s nightmare. There, dozens of people thought they were buying their dream home. They worked with their contractor to make every detail just how they liked it. The result was wonderful; it was exactly like they wanted it, and they paid their general contractor, thinking they were moving […]
It’s a common sight at any non-profit event – a photographer is walking around, taking pictures of all the scenes at the event, capturing the night for the organization and its guests. In most cases, those photos will be posted on the organization’s social media channels and the event page of the website, with a […]
While most of the coverage about the new Florida condominium association laws focused on structural integrity reserve study laws and milestone inspection laws, there were also several changes to how condominium associations must govern. From virtual meetings to alternate budget requirements, the changes might seem relatively minor, but even small changes can cause major issues […]
As legislators gathered in Tallahassee for the annual legislative session, The Orlando Law Group has been closely following HB 913, something all condominium owners and condo associations should pay close attention to. You can see the progress of the bill from when we first discussed proposed changes to Florida Condominium law in April, and then again in early June, when […]
Last week, federal and local law enforcement raided a construction site in Tallahassee looking for immigrants who are in the country illegally. The video was stunning as law enforcement dressed in military-like uniforms pulled more than 100 workers off the job site. Until recently, such raids of businesses were rare in Florida unless the business […]
There should always be a matter of trust between a homeowners’ association and the management company they choose to work with. After all, the management company oversees nearly all aspects of the community, from security to vendors to banking. While the board officially votes to hire vendors, it relies on the management company to put […]
Table of Contents What Is Estate Planning and Why Is It So Important? Estate planning is the overall process of legally organizing how your assets, medical care, and responsibilities will be handled if you become incapacitated or pass away. It may include: A Last Will and Testament One or more Trusts Power of Attorney (durable […]
We’ve all been there. Maybe it’s when you hired a handyman to repair your fence but left with only half the panels up. Maybe it was when you paid for a new website, but the developer stopped returning calls. Perhaps it was when someone backed into your parked car and then drove away. It could […]
Can Florida landlords email legal notices? It’s a common question—and until recently, the answer was mostly no. Under current Florida law, notices like a 3-day notice to pay rent or a 7-day notice of noncompliance must be hand-delivered, mailed, or posted at the property. That means if a landlord sends a notice by text or […]
In early April, we gave an update on some of the legislation that was on track to pass during the 2025 Legislative Session. Usually, the Florida Legislature can cause major issues for associations, as our state lawmakers add new regulations and provisions on the management of homeowners’ and condominium associations. While the session has been […]
If you’re part of a homeowners’ association (HOA) board or work with one, you’ve likely run into this question: How long do we have to enforce an Architectural Review Board (ARB) violation? What if a homeowner installed something years ago without approval, can we still issue a fine now? We recently encountered this exact issue, […]
A new kind of financing tool is growing in popularity, allowing homeowners to tap into the equity of their home without monthly payments or interest rates. Instead, the home equity investment or home equity contract provides a homeowner with a payout that is paid back in 10 or 30 years, or if the home is […]
Imagine being able to tap into the equity of your home without any payments or interest. It sounds too good to be true, right? In today’s financial marketplace, there are options for just about everything, and a growing new form of financing called home equity investments or home equity contracts does just that. With these […]
We’re about halfway through the 2025 Legislative Session in Florida and, like most years, there are several bills that could change how community associations, like Homeowners and Condominium Associations, can operate. This industry is one of the most highly regulated of any industry in Florida, mainly because of the continual conflict between associations and home […]
Nearly everyone has seen a broadcast of a reporter standing out front of a house where a heinous crime occurred or where a high-profile criminal lives. It is fairly standard for the media to congregate around the house. They want the video of the person accused of the crime leaving the house or of police […]
We have all seen the headlines about immigration raids happening throughout the United States. The federal government is making a point to showcase these raids on news media and often include agents in full tactical gear going into a community unexpectedly with guns drawn. Beyond the news reports, there has been a substantial increase in […]
We enter into contracts all the time for business and personal reasons. Whether it is a purchase of a ticket to an event or the purchase of a house, almost everything we purchase involves a contract. Think about this. How many times have you clicked to accept the “terms and conditions” of a purchase online? […]
Over the past couple of years, businesses have been in limbo when it comes to filing their business ownership information with the federal government. Their owners have watched as courts flip-flopped over the constitutionality of requiring businesses to share their ownership information with the government. This weekend, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a final verdict […]
In today’s high-tech world, businesses are often at the mercy of cybercriminals. Every day, hundreds of thousands of attacks on businesses are launched to do everything from steal company secrets, demand money, find concealed data, or just be disruptive. There is not a business that is immune to these attacks and even the most tech-savvy […]
When you’re not a lawyer, a lot of legal terms seem interchangeable. But knowing the ins and outs of wills, power of attorney (POA), and other concepts for wills and living wills puts you in a stronger position to defend the wishes of your loved ones—as well as your own wishes. The legal professionals at […]
This month, a non-profit surgery center in Virginia settled a major lawsuit related to how it treated an employee after being accused of discriminating against the employee because of their age. The employee, a radiologic technologist, had been out on approved medical leave as the employee took care of carpel tunnel syndrome. The recovery was […]
