The 12 Rules of Office Parties Your Lawyer Says To You
We don’t mean to sound like The Grinch. We just want to make sure your holiday office party doesn’t steal the holiday spirit – and ruin your new year with unexpected legal issues. While most of us want to think of the holiday office party as fun, joyful and a great time to get to know your co-workers, many pitfalls and problems can happen. And the hangover of a poorly planned event can last for years. The attorneys at The Orlando Law Group can certainly review your holiday party plans but follow the 12
Staying Prepared: LGBTQ+ Estate Planning Tips for Changing Times
With the new administration taking office in January, LGBTQ+ couples across the country are worried their legal marriages might lose their protections that were given in the Obergefell v. Hodges decision and the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act. Before those decisions, LGBTQ+ marriage protections were a patchwork of state laws and had no federal protections. While some states allowed LGBTQ+ marriages with full rights, others only allowed civil unions or no protections at all. In addition, the Defense of
How to Change Name on Property Title Deeds in Florida
A property title deed is the legal document that defines who owns a piece of property and allows an owner to transfer all or a portion of property ownership to another person. Adding individuals to or removing them from a deed is a legal process that requires you to follow specialized regulations. Failure to follow the right procedures can change the validity of your deed. In most situations, it’s essential to partner with an experienced real estate lawyer to accurately change names on property title
Reasons To Increase Child Support in Florida
For many parents, child support is an important part of ensuring the well-being of their children. In Florida, as in many other states, the amount of child support can be modified when circumstances change. Let’s explore what those circumstances are so you can be better informed about when a child support agreement may be modified.Change in Financial Circumstances One of the most common reasons an increase in child support is awarded is when a significant change in financial circumstances arises. While
Only Two Months Left to File Your BOI with the Government
Over the past year, The Orlando Law Group has been gently nudging you to ensure you file your Beneficial Ownership Information with the federal government. The countdown clock is almost to zero for you to file this information. If you don’t, you could be subject to significant fines and possible criminal charges as this is about protecting the country from significant criminal activity. This can be a major issue for small businesses that have fewer than 20 employees and earn less than five million in
The Lessons Learned at Professional Women's Luncheon will Help You Succeed!
Every time we leave a Professional Women's Luncheon, we feel just a bit more inspired. We're inspired to help our community. We're inspired to help our friends. We're inspired to help ourselves. Thursday's sold-out event featuring Karen Keene was no different. There were gasps and cheers and a few people were tearing up. But everyone walked away with something that can help them professionally and personally. For instance, Karen talked about her "MAP," the three pillars that set the
Have You Considered Including Slats In Your Estate Planning?
By the end of 2025, the rules about estate planning most likely will be considerably different. That’s because the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, commonly known as the Trump Tax Law, will most likely expire. Included in that is a significant reduction in the estate tax exemption, reducing the amount one can pass on to heirs by nearly $7 million. Plus, depending on who is in the White House and who controls Congress, the exemption could be much lower. That said, there are steps you can take now to
Take Advantage of the Estate Tax Exemption Today
As we look to 2025 with a new president, one of the most pressing topics is what will happen to the Tax and Job Cuts Act of 2017 passed during President Donald Trump’s first administration. Much of that bill is expected to expire in 2026, including several aspects of estate planning. The biggest change could cost your estate millions of dollars if you do not act now – a significant decrease in the estate tax exemption. Before the Trump tax law was passed, families did not have to pay estate taxes on
Make Sure to Include a Safety Plan in Your IEP
Unfortunately, it seems like every day at least one school in Central Florida is locked down by law enforcement because of some threat to the school. While disruptive to teaching and extremely scary to our students, nearly all of the threats to schools rarely are seen through. If you are a parent of a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) review how the school helped your child during the threat to see if a child’s special needs are being addressed during an emergency. Was there someone
How Does My Business Deal with Service Animals?
Most businesses that interact with the public have encountered an issue with service animals. Perhaps someone wanted to bring their emotional support cat into the restaurant or wanted to trot their miniature horse around the grocery store. On the surface, it seems both of those examples would be easy to deny, but in Florida, denying the public entrance because of a service dog or miniature horse can get you into significant trouble. But the cat? It’s an emotional support animal and is not covered under
Know the Rules for Service Animals as an AirBNB Host
Being a host of an AirBNB can be a rewarding business, providing a source of income for investment properties. Of course, there are always hassles with guests over myriad issues. One thing that is difficult to argue over is service animals. To be clear, if you are an AirBNB host and try to deny a guest accommodation for a service animal, you could be charged with a crime. When it comes to service animals, it’s best to let guests utilize a service animal in nearly all cases otherwise you risk serious
Florida May Close Your Business for Not Following This Law
Over the past few weeks, The Orlando Law Group has received multiple calls from business owners who have been subject to workers’ compensation investigations by Florida officials. In each case, investigators walk into a business and ask to review all documentation as to how individuals are being compensated – to see if they are truly covered under workers’ compensation law or not. At the heart of the issue is whether an individual is an independent contractor or an employee. Generally, an employer is
Congratulations to our Seminole Business Award Winners
Last week, we celebrated success. We celebrated commitment. We celebrated hard work and determination. At the Seminole Business Awards we celebrated the businesses and organizations who are making a difference in our community every day. They are creating jobs and economic impact and giving back to non-profits who need our help. This year was a different experience as attendees were able to hear from our winners. They talked about their journey, their heartbreaks and what helped grow their
Welcome Back Non-Compete Contracts
For much of the past year, nearly one in five of all employees in the United States have been waiting for September 4. That was the day the Federal Trade Commission set to ban most non-compete contracts between employees and their employers. Due to a recent judicial ruling, the wait for a non-compete contracts ban will take significantly longer, if it happens at all. On August 21, a federal court in Texas ruled the FTC does not have the authority to make sweeping bans on any business practice
Why Does a Business Need a Business Law Attorney?
The Orlando Law Group is committed to serving businesses and working with them to make them successful. In fact, The Orlando Law Group has always been very entrepreneurial with our founder and attorneys owning multiple businesses in a wide range of industries, not just the legal field. As the firm’s director of business law services, I’m here to guide our clients throughout their business, from the formation of an idea to a successful exit from the company. Just like all of the attorneys at The Orlando
The Finalists Are...
The Seminole Business Awards is just around the corner and don't miss your opportunity to celebrate the success of our local businesses! This year's event is completely revamped as five companies will be honored and featured during our program. You'll hear from their leadership and truly learn more about their vision, their impact and their secret sauce for success. First, a bit of tease on who could be recognized at the event with the list of the final twelve companies! Make sure you send a
New Rules on Residential Real Estate Start on August 17
One of the biggest changes to how people buy and sell their homes is taking effect this weekend. That’s when the National Association of REALTORS has told all of its members to start using the settlement terms in the federal court case accusing most real estate brokerages of violating the Sherman Anti-trust Act. Multiple changes must be implemented by real estate brokers, almost all dealing with compensation and transparency in the compensation of brokers. The biggest change is in how buyers are
It’s Time to Update Your HOA Website
One of the key elements of the new Florida law regulating homeowners’ associations is transparency in association records. There are new criminal penalties for board members and associations who willfully refuse to provide official records. There are new rules that eliminate fines if records aren’t provided. HOAs have to respond within five days to a subpoena for records. Board members are now required to have formal training on record keeping too! In all, there are 70 references to records in the
Conflicts of Interests Can Be Found in a Wide Net For Association Management Companies
On July 1, another Florida law took effect that focuses on condominium associations and the management companies that help operate the system. One focus of the new law is to control potential conflicts of interest with community management companies. For instance, Susie Smith is the community manager for a condominium association and part of her compensation includes shares in her community association firm. One of the associations she manages needs a new insurance company and she recommends her
Follow the Statutes or HOA Fines are Waived
One of the primary methods of bringing homeowners into compliance with neighborhood statutes is by fining homeowners for violating the community’s covenants. Florida Statutes are very clear on how an association can levy fines against a homeowner, which include limits on the number of fines. The statutes also allow for attorney fees to be charged in the collection process. You could even have a lien placed on your house by the association, creating thousands of dollars of costs to homeowners. Here is
Be Very Careful in Responding to Criticism from Condo Owners
Anyone in association management or volunteers on the board fully understands what it means to deal with “that owner.” They are generally the critics on the sideline, someone who finds fault in anything you do – and works hard to make your life miserable. Too often in condominium associations, the response is to take a closer look for violations, be stricter on late payments and take small, retaliatory actions against the owner. Take the case of the Applegate Condos in South Florida, where the unit
New Training Requirements for HOA Board Members
For years, it was relatively simple to become a board member of your homeowners’ association. In most cases, you raised your hand, went through an election and you served your community. There was often no competition because serving on an association board is a significant time commitment. Rarely does an association board member join with years of experience managing associations. These are volunteer positions held by all types of people from all walks of life. For training, the state required board
New Procedures for Violation Notices
Perhaps there is no greater animosity between a homeowner and a community’s association than fines imposed for violating the community’s covenants. When a homeowner does not edge the grass, pressure wash the driveway, or bring up a garbage can quickly, many homeowners’ associations are quick to threaten and impose a fine. From the homeowner’s perspective, this often seems like an overreach for what they consider a trivial matter, but the homeowner usually is quick to take care of the situation. But in
Round-up for Rescue Outreach Mission Ends on June 30!
This is your last call to help Rescue Outreach Mission by dining at any one of the Talk of the Town restaurants. For the next 10 days, dine at any Charley's Steak House, FishBones, Texas Cattle Company or Vito's Chop House and round up your check to support Rescue Outreach Mission. And you get up to $50 to use on your next visit to any one of the restaurants for donating to Rescue Outreach Mission at the restaurant. Don't wait. Email ROMVIP@tottrg.com for a Platinum VIP Reservation
Small Changes Can Have Big Repercussions
Throughout HB 1203, which goes into effect on July 1, several very small changes could have large implications on how any association governs itself and its community. Of course, most association management companies and law firms should be able to guide board members on these small changes – like the attorneys at The Orlando Law Group can. Still, it is important associations and their volunteer members understand these small changes, which include things like kickbacks, compound interest, handling
Welcome Our New Chamber Leadership
Wasn't last night spectacular? Congratulations to all of our medalists and winners. Perhaps the biggest winner of all was the Seminole County Chamber as we welcomed in a great team of leaders to guide our chamber over the next few years. Of course, every new year means we say goodbye to key leaders who have served you and our chamber but are ending their board service this year. Please thank:Stacy Luna – Atlantic Bay Mortgage GroupBryan Beyer – Seminole County Sheriff’s OfficeTony Smith –
Denying Records May End With You In Jail
With the governor signing HB 1203, all homeowners’ associations must review their process for providing the community public records homeowners are entitled to receive. Not doing so – and not clearly understanding the new law – could give board members criminal records, including the possibility of a third-degree felony. To be clear, those new criminal penalties are tied to a willful and intentional effort to harm the association or resident, but it’s best to follow the law in all cases and not leave a
Round Up to Support Rescue Outreach Mission
How would you like a $50 gift card to any of the Talk of the Town restaurants in Florida? During the month of June, dine at any Charley's Steak House, FishBones, Texas Cattle Company or Vito's Chop House and round up your check to support Rescue Outreach Mission. While visiting the restaurants, you will have the opportunity to scan a QR code to donate and receive up to $50 on your next visit to any Talk of the Town Restaurant. Not only do you get a gift card, but you'll also be helping Rescue
Your Work Vehicle Can Now Be Parked in Your Driveway
One of the most contentious aspects of managing a community has been over cars and trucks parked out front of a home wrapped with a company’s logo and marketing. In many homeowners’ association documents, these types of vehicles have not been permitted. The thought was that most homeowners did not want what could be construed as a billboard facing their home every night. Of course, this put tremendous hardship on many homeowners. After all, they have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on their
The HOA Can’t Prevent a Permanent Generator or Fuel Tank Now.
Have you seen the news about this year’s hurricane season? Nearly all of the hurricane forecasts are predicting a very active season, one that could set records. Of course, it only takes one to hit your house to cause significant issues. Anyone who lived in Florida in 2004 knows how disruptive an active hurricane season can be, even if you are miles from the coast. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a tremendous amount of damage from hurricanes large and small and in areas across the state. As such,
You Don't Want to Miss This Dinner!
Isn't it time you showed your best client how much you appreciate your business? When was the last time you took your other half to a great evening? Wouldn't your friends truly appreciate a night out with an exclusive four-course meal and wine tasting? There are dozens of reasons why you should join Rescue Outreach Mission and Talk of the Town Restaurant Group Foundation on June 6 - these are just a few. The most important reason, however, is that you will be helping your neighbors. Neighbors like Anita
All the Insurance Lies Coming After a Claim
All too often, people trust their insurance company. After all, for years, you have been making a large monthly payment to a “trusted” name in insurance with no issues or claims. You assume that when you need them, they will be there to help you and make your life normal. When you need to make a claim, you call the insurance company. They are friendly. They ask if you are injured. They ask to record your conversation – just for record keeping. They assure you everything will be alright. Did you spot the
The damage is done. Now what?
When you go to Fort Myers Beach, the scars of Hurricane Ian are unmistakable. Lots are abandoned, hotels are missing walls and the few houses there, look brand new. Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers and Sanibel Island in 2022, yet many buildings and homes are still abandoned waiting on repairs. There is often a lack of workers who can provide the construction services needed for repairs. But, too often, it is because the insurance company is slow to process claims, or the amount of the claim is in
Next Month, Talk of the Town’s Restaurants Support Rescue Outreach Mission
Throughout June, Talk of the Town Restaurant Group Foundation has chosen Rescue Outreach Mission as their charity of choice to bring awareness and funding to Seminole County’s only low-barrier homeless shelter. Included in the festivities will be a very special event on June 6, a private dining event at FishBones in Lake Mary. That night, guests will be treated to a very special four-course dining experience along with a unique wine tasting, unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else. Then, at all Talk of
Hurricane Season is Here. Are You Ready For Insurance Claims?
Over the past few years, the Florida Legislature has made significant changes to property insurance rules, often impacting how you can fight your insurance company. The goal of these rules was to stop the massive increases in property insurance we all have seen recently. It is still up to debate as to whether these new rules will have the desired effect, but what it certainly does is reinforce that you need to be prepared in advance for any claims you might have related to hurricanes. It is more
Are Impact Fees Going Away?
One of the key mechanisms governments use to finance their road improvements, their sewer maintenance and new schools is through impact fees. Every time someone approaches the local government to build a new building, they pay an impact fee, designed to cover the increased costs created by the new building. This month, however, the United States Supreme Court developed two rules key to impact fees that must apply to all impact fees to avoid tripping the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Those
Poof! Just Like That, Non-competes are Gone!
For nearly one in five workers in the United States, leaving their job just became a lot easier as the Federal Trade Commission issued its final rule banning all non-compete contracts. This means that by the end of the summer, nearly all employees who are subject to a non-compete contract right now will be free to work wherever they want, even in competing firms they were barred from. According to their release, the FTC estimates this “will lead to new business formation growing by 2.7% per year,
Communicate with your community before it is too late
Almost every day, some sort of dispute between an association board and its community makes the news somewhere in the United States. Just recently, at a 55+ community in South Florida, news reports said hundreds of residents protested at a board meeting because the association board needed to raise its dues to pay for increased insurance costs. The increase was $100-$200, but it was enough to activate the community. That story made international news as police were brought out to control the crowd.
Follow the Law When it Comes to Public Records
Recently, a South Florida condominium association lost another court case in a long-running battle to keep its financial records from being inspected by a resident and her attorney. Frankly, this is a case that should have never been filed as state law is clear. Nearly all records of a condominium or homeowner’s association are public records for residents of the association. It’s been in state law for more than a decade. But in this case, it appears the leadership of the Boca View Condominium
Work to Get a Personal Guarantee When Leasing Commercial Space
Late last year, Boston Market suddenly closed more than 300 locations across the country, including several in Central Florida. Today, there are “for lease” signs in front of many of their still vacant locations. For the owners of the buildings, this can be very difficult as many of the sites are owned by investors and family trusts. In today’s marketplace, finding new tenants for commercial space designed and built for a specific client can be very difficult. And recouping lost rent will be extremely
You Still Need to File Your BOI in 2024
Last year, The Orlando Law Group shared the need for your business to file your Beneficial Ownership Information with the federal government this year. It is part of the Corporate Transparency Act that was passed in 2020 but just became effective on January 1. As you might have seen, earlier this month, a federal court in Alabama declared the government overreached its constitutional authority by requesting this information. While we are monitoring the court battles, at this time we are still
With Court Settlement, Look to an Attorney for Buyers Representation
Several months ago, we wrote about the potential impact of the lawsuit against the National Association of REALTORS. At that time, the federal court in Missouri ruled the organization and most real estate brokerages violated the Sherman Anti-trust Act. At that time, we cautioned that a final ruling was still a long way from concluding with appeals and other court mechanisms. However, as has been widely reported, the case was settled last week with national implications for the real estate industry. As
Prepare for Any Possible Defense When Evicting Commercial Clients
A year ago, one of West Palm Beach’s most iconic restaurants closed after its landlord evicted the owners of the 80-year-old restaurant. Of course, the owners of Ta-Boo did not walk away from the Lake Worth location quietly. For instance, the restaurant owner filed a motion to dismiss because the landlord had missed a deadline to file a response in the case. While Ta-Boo was unsuccessful, it’s just indicative that business owners will do what they can to remain open if they see a future for their
The Terms of the Lease are Essential in Commercial Evictions
There is an interesting case of a commercial eviction brewing in South Florida that showcases how important it is to clearly understand the provisions in your lease. In November, a family-owned bakery sued its landlord, a national company that purchased the property recently, claiming its landlord had fraudulently evicted the company and effectively shut down the business. It comes from the developer’s desire to renovate the property. In this case, the landlord had an engineering report performed on the
3 Ways to Have an Amicable Divorce
Divorce is not the most pleasant experience. It represents an end to something that was once, presumably happy, and the process can lead to hurt feelings. When there are children involved, they may feel isolated and confused. There is often times heartbreak and there may be a lot of pain, but going through a divorce doesn’t need to be a battle or leave both parties feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. There are three divorce options in the State of Florida that are designed to make getting a divorce
Top 5 Signs That You Should Consider Divorce
Ultimately, the first step in the process is to make the decision that you want to obtain a divorce. Getting a divorce can be one of the most difficult experiences in someone’s life, and as such the decision to obtain a divorce should not be taken lightly. Know that after obtaining a divorce, your life is likely to change significantly, from the amount of financial support you have received to the time that you spend with your children. When considering your options during this difficult decision, it may
How Does Contempt Work in Family Cases?
If you watch any court show, you’ve surely heard the word “contempt” tossed around. But do you know what it means? Contempt of Court is a provision that allows a judge to deincentivize and even punish individuals who are hindering the administration of justice. In cases of family law, contempt is particularly relevant. Often times, ex-spouses will violate or ignore court mandates such as child support payments, alimony, or visitation time due to spite against their former spouse. When such a situation
How Do Courts Calculate Time Sharing in Divorce Child Custody
Divorce can be an overwhelming process, especially if a parent does not understand the reasoning and methodology behind the court’s decisions. One decision that many parents must deal with for years to come is the courts’ decision on a child’s timesharing or custody arrangement. When the amount of time you spend with your child is at issue, it often helps to understand the rules that the court must abide by when constructing a time-sharing schedule. In Florida, courts adhere to Florida Statute 61.13,
Worried About EIDL Loan Payments? Let Us Help
Now that we are a couple of years past the closings and widespread quarantines of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses across the country are starring down high loan payments to the federal government. The Small Business Administration loans helped keep many businesses alive when their revenues disappeared overnight. Today, they have become albatrosses to many organizations. Some of the loans, particularly the Paycheck Protection Program loans, were forgiven. But if you are tasked with paying back hundreds
Relief May be Coming for Your Student Loans
For the past couple of years, student loans have been in the political hot seat. The Biden Administration and many consumer rights advocates have long said student loans were a significant burden for individuals looking to move up the economic ladder. But for many people, providing relief for student loans was a giveaway to people who signed contracts and had obligations to repay the loan. But, unlike just about any other debt, there was no ability to discharge most student loans through the process of
What to Avoid Before Filing for Bankruptcy
If you are considering filing bankruptcy, there are a few transactions you should avoid so you do not have any complications with receiving your discharge. Credit cards and cash advances: You should stop using credit cards if you know you are not going to pay them off. When you decide to file for bankruptcy, do not continue to use credit cards and do not take any cash advances. For example, if you decide that you are going to file for bankruptcy and within 90 days before filing you use your credit cards
Bankruptcy Might Not Be as Difficult as You Think
By definition, bankruptcies are legal and financial arrangements designed to provide a person or business with temporary relief from their debt. The bankruptcy gives the individual or company (referred to as the debtor) time and flexibility to better organize their ability to pay their debt and other financial obligations. Part of the process typically includes the creation of a plan to fulfill certain financial obligations. There are also specific situations where debts are entirely
What to do now if there’s a chance of future bankruptcy
Filing for bankruptcy is on the minds of many people right now. For some, it’s clear that the only solution available to free them from financial hardship is bankruptcy. For others, it might not be a consideration, but should it be? If you have recently lost your job or the current economic conditions are making it difficult or impossible to pay your debt, it might be advantageous to file for bankruptcy. In either case, whether you know that bankruptcy is your only option or it is just entering your
Jennifer Englert Discusses Steamboat Willie and Copyright Law on WESH 2 News
Last week, The Orlando Law Group's Jennifer Englert appeared on WESH 2 News to discuss how Steamboat Willie will become part of the 'public domain" in 2024. It's a fairly substantial example of our country's laws pertaining to copyright laws, where one of the most iconic animated characters will be available for anyone to use without the concerns of being in violation of the Walt Disney Co.'s rights. "Everyone knows that Mickey and Disney take their copyrights very seriously," Englert said in the
Scary! A Nearly $2 Billion Judgment Against the National Association of REALTORS® on Halloween
While we’re still a long way away from a final ruling, a federal court in Missouri has ruled the National Association of REALTORS® and most major residential real estate brokerages are in violation of the Sherman Anti-trust Act, one of the oldest laws ensuring a free market in the United States. The punishment? Damages of $1.79 billion. In a nutshell, the courts determined the National Association of REALTORS®, along with companies like Re/Max, Century 21, Keller Williams and more, squashed competition
Non-compete Contracts May Disappear Soon
One of the biggest issues affecting employers, contractors and employees in 2024 may be the elimination of non-compete contracts depending on the actions of the Federal Trade Commission in April. Throughout 2023, the government agency has been looking at eliminating the use of non-compete contracts by all businesses when it comes to workers and contractors. Nearly 30,000 people have weighed in on the proposed action. If passed, companies will need to ensure they have worked with employees and
No Easy Way to Protest a Losing Proposal
No one likes to lose a big contract, but it has happened to every company providing goods and services to other businesses and governments. For contracts with private businesses, there’s very little recourse. After all, a private business can choose to do business with whomever they would like. When it comes to government contracting, however, it is a completely different story. The government is spending tax dollars – your money – and there are pages and pages of rules and regulations as to how those
What the Lease? A Guide to Renting Space for Your Business.
Every business owner remembers the pride they felt when the ribbon was cut on their new office or new location. All their friends and family, along with the local mayor and the chamber of commerce, came by to congratulate the owner on their accomplishment. Getting to that point was not always easy and getting that space was often complicated, filled with terms that are very well known to realtors and institutional investors but are not common to most people. After all, the closest thing most people have
