What to do When ICE Shows Up at Your Community
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 immigration arrests. According to the Department of Homeland Security, there has been a 627% increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) arrests in the first
How to Help Your Community Avoid the Media Spotlight
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 in action around the house. In most cases, the media will move on to the next story relatively quickly, leaving your neighborhood in peace, but other times, the media could stay at a house for a week or
The Ins and Outs of Contracting
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? Pretty much every time you buy something on the internet, right? By clicking that you accept them, you are entering into a contract with the seller of that product or service. There is an important
Business Ownership Information is Not Dead for Foreign-Reporting Companies
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 for businesses that should give some relief for those who were waiting to file. In its announcement, the Treasury Department
Make Sure Your Business is Protected After a Cyberattack
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 companies and people can find themselves on the wrong side of a cyberattack. There are many ways to help reduce the likelihood of some sort of cyberattack, and the
Non-profits are Not Immune to Messy and Costly HR Lawsuits
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 not going as planned, so the employee asked to extend the medical leave. Instead of granting the request, the non-profit decided to end the employment and hired
Cigarette Smoke is No Joke in Condominium Association Management
The United States has done a remarkable job in lowering the number of people who smoke cigarettes. In 1965, nearly half of all Americans smoked cigarettes. Today, the number is closer to 10 percent. The statistics are not all good, however. While there has been success with cigarettes, the use of vapes and e-cigarettes has nearly tripled over the past five years. In addition, with the legalization of marijuana, including for medical use, smoking marijuana has significantly increased. Approximately, one
Non-Profits: Ensure Your Bylaws Are Strong
If you’re a non-profit leader, you most likely have received a call from a board member sharing they have the solution to an issue you discussed at the last board meeting. The solution is expensive, but after researching it more, it does seem like the perfect fit. It truly does solve the issue at hand, so you go ahead and sign a contract for the solution. Everything seems to be running great until someone files a complaint against how you procured that solution. You didn’t know there were multiple
Introducing The Orlando Law Group’s Non-Profit Boot Camp!
The Orlando Law Group is here to help you. Our non-profit boot camp can help you and your organization get on the right path to ensuring the longevity and success of your nonprofit. Each Non-Profit Boot Camp is exclusively for the top executives at just 10 non-profits, giving them the ability to truly interact with the attorneys at The Orlando Law Group. Ask yourself these questions:Are you protected from an injury to a volunteer?What happens if someone you are trying to help gets angry?Did you
Nurturing Growth: The Power of Proper Onboarding
Does 2025 include growing the number of people working at your business? We sure hope so! After all, bringing on new employees means your company is growing and succeeding. We love to see companies expand by creating jobs and providing a career for someone who is looking – or needs – a change. Hiring employees can be difficult, however, and not just the process of finding the right person. You want to make sure when you find the right person they have the tools, training and structure for their personal
Introducing Our Newest Trustee: Mechanical One
While we love all our members, we're very proud of the number of companies who have decided to invest at our highest level. From Walt Disney World to AT&T and from The Orlando Law Group to Seminole State, our trustees play a significant part in supporting our efforts to build the business community in Seminole County and the region. Today, we're proud to announce another local company has made the decision to be a top-level investor in the Seminole County Chamber: Mechanical One. Mechanical
Budget Busted from the Holidays? Let’s Work to Clear Those Debts
Even before the holidays, credit card defaults were rising significantly. A June 2024 report showed that the year was on track to have the highest default rate in more than 12 years. That takes you back to the Great Recession. Economist Sean Snaith discussed this issue at the Seminole County Chamber’s Good Morning Seminole, specifically mentioning how inflation has risen, but wages have not followed suit. Unfortunately, most people try to maintain their lifestyle by using credit cards without cutting
Want to be a Trustee? Here is what you need to know!
One of the best ways to protect your assets after your death is the creation of a trust. These legal entities help protect your assets and distribute them how you want them distributed. There are no questions about who gets what, and your estate can often eliminate substantial tax burdens. Everything is kept private, so there is no public record of the distributions, although there must be an annual accounting of the beneficiaries. There are also many different types of trusts, including one for your
Think About Using Your Full Lifetime Gift Exemption Today
For individuals and couples with a high net worth and a significant amount of assets, it is essential that you look at all ways to ensure your estate goes to your heirs and not to Uncle Sam. After all, at the end of 2025, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, commonly known as the Trump Tax Law, will most likely expire. Along with that expiration is a significant exemption for estate taxes that could be cut in half. Plus, depending on who is in control of the federal government after the election, the estate
Five Resolutions for Your Business in 2025
The new year brings significant opportunities for businesses. For many, it’s time to reset and look forward, examining the company goals and seeing what steps can be taken to meet and exceed their annual goals in 2025. For others, it is a time for reflection, a look back at the previous year to see what went right and what went wrong and how to change course, if needed. From a legal standpoint, there are certain things the new year brings a great opportunity to review. Hopefully, everything on this list
Hold Off On Your Beneficial Ownership Information – For Now
For the past year, we’ve been working with small businesses to ensure they comply with the Corporate Transparency Act to file their Beneficial Ownership Information before the deadline. For now, those plans can be put on hold as the courts ruled the entire act overstepped the authority of Congress and states’ rights. “First, it represents a Federal attempt to monitor companies created under state law—a matter our federalist system has left almost exclusively to the several States. Second, the CTA ends a
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
