A contract is a private agreement between two or more parties. When you sign a contract, you agree to assume certain legal obligations that would not have otherwise applied to you (delivering goods by a certain date, for example). Breach of contract occurs when one party fails to meet their contractual obligations. When it comes to breach of contract,...
Continue ReadingWhile insurance claims for hurricanes don’t only happen in Florida, they are certainly more common in Florida than in other states. Florida gets hit by more hurricanes each year than just about any other state, so it is critical that Florida homeowners and renters have some form of insurance. Filing a hurricane insurance claim isn’t always easy, however. Trying...
Continue ReadingBuying a business in Florida can be exciting and stressful. There are a lot of details that must be carefully considered before finalizing the sale. The majority of these fine points should be thoughtfully negotiated and put into writing in the form of a Florida asset purchase agreement. As with any big purchase, it is extremely important to pay...
Continue ReadingWhen a limited liability company (LLC) reaches the end of its life, properly closing it is important. There are several steps you may take, including many required by law. Accordingly, you should understand how to dissolve an LLC in Florida before doing so. Dissolving a Florida LLC has three main stages: making sure dissolution is appropriate under the circumstances;...
Continue ReadingFor a variety of reasons, there may come a time when it’s time to close a corporation through dissolution. If you are at this stage with your business, you’ve probably wondered how to dissolve a corporation in Florida. Dissolving a Florida corporation involves two primary steps: dissolving the corporation in the eyes of the law, and then winding up...
Continue ReadingEmployers know that safe and productive business practices require a drug-free workforce. Taking steps to maintain a safe workforce also keeps you in compliance with Florida law. Federal and Florida law require drug testing for some employees. Florida drug test laws also give employees certain privacy rights. Here, we give an overview of what you need to know about...
Continue ReadingDivorce is an inherently stressful process. However, there are ways to lessen that stress and promote more amicable relationships. One legal method that prioritizes the mental and emotional health of all parties is called collaborative divorce. At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we increasingly use collaborative divorce methods with our clients. We began using this method when we realized that...
Continue ReadingIf you employ workers in Florida, you need to know about Florida’s workplace harassment laws. As an employer, you need to understand what type of workplace conduct amounts to unlawful harassment. You also need to know how to protect your company from workplace harassment claims. Finally, you should know when to contact an experienced employment attorney to investigate or...
Continue ReadingAre you worried that your key employees will go work for a competitor, taking all your important clients with them? Can you require your employee to sign a non-compete agreement in Florida? Are non competes enforceable in Florida? And what does Florida noncompete law say about an employee going to work for a competitor in spite of a non-compete...
Continue ReadingUnderstanding Florida Termination Laws Florida is an at-will employment state. In the simplest terms, at-will employment gives the employer the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any lawful reason. Nevertheless, at-will employers do not have completely unfettered discretion to terminate their workers’ employment, even in Florida. Firing someone for a prohibited reason could lead...
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