Florida Business Attorney
Florida Business Law – Attorneys for Formation & Succession Planning
Running a business in Florida should be exciting, not overwhelming. Whether you’re forming an LLC, negotiating contracts, or planning ownership succession, our business law team ensures every step is legally sound and aligned with your long-term goals.
At Smith Will & Trust, our Florida business attorneys provide practical, forward-thinking guidance for entrepreneurs, family businesses, and professional practices. We combine entity formation and contract drafting with estate planning and trust planning to create a unified strategy that protects both your business and personal legacy.
From LLC operating agreements and shareholder arrangements to buy-sell agreements, partnership planning, and succession structures, we help you build a business foundation that minimizes risk and maximizes stability. If your company involves property ownership or transfers, our real estate law attorneys ensure that deeds, leases, and homestead rules align with your overall plan.
Our approach goes beyond documentation. It’s about clarity, compliance, and confidence. We help you make informed decisions today that safeguard your ownership, limit liability, and preserve what you’ve built for the next generation.
Smith Will & Trust proudly serves business owners throughout the Greater Tampa area, including Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, and SouthShore.
Start Your Florida Business with Confidence
The foundation you choose at the start will influence every contract you sign and every decision you make. We help owners set up their businesses the right way from day one.
Entity Choice and Formation
Choosing the right entity, LLC, corporation, or PLLC, sets the tone for taxes, liability, and control. Our Florida business law attorneys prepare and file your formation documents, secure your EIN, and meet all Sunbiz and registered-agent requirements.
We also show you how your business structure connects to your Estate Planning goals for full-life protection.
Operating Agreements and Bylaws
Under the Florida Revised LLC Act (Chapter 605), an operating agreement defines internal rules. Even single-member LLCs should have one. For corporations, bylaws govern meetings, officer elections, and voting rights. We draft enforceable business law agreements tailored to your operations.
Ownership Changes and Buy-Sell Planning
We draft buy-sell provisions that prepare your business for major life events, death, disability, divorce, or deadlock. Each agreement clearly defines how ownership interests are valued, acquired, or transferred under Florida business law, giving both owners and heirs a clear path forward when circumstances change.
Ownership Changes and Buy-Sell Planning
Buy-sell provisions protect against disputes during major life events. We define valuation methods and transfer rights so your partners and heirs always know what happens next.
Mergers, Conversions & Reorganizations
Merging or converting entities under Florida Statutes Chapters 605 & 607 requires precision. We manage filings, due diligence, and approvals so your deal closes cleanly.
Succession Planning
A successful transition protects your company and your family. Our Florida business succession planning coordinates with your estate plan to keep operations running when an owner retires, becomes incapacitated, or passes away.
Contracts that Work
Contracts protect relationships and prevent estate planning and trust disputes. Our Florida business attorneys draft:
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NDAs that protect confidential data
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Vendor agreements with clear deliverables and payment terms
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Employment and contractor agreements compliant with Florida labor laws
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Master Service Agreements (MSAs) for consistency across projects
Every contract is readable, practical, and enforceable, exactly how business law in Florida should work.
Growth, Governance, and Succession Planning
Florida law gives you flexibility as your business evolves, but it also expects compliance with your governing documents. We make growth and transitions predictable, not stressful.
Member or Stock Transfers
We handle transfers, redemptions, and valuations so they comply with your operating agreement or bylaws. Properly structured transfers reduce conflict and help preserve voting control.
Mergers and Conversions
Whether you are acquiring a competitor, reorganizing, or converting your LLC to a corporation, we guide you through the process. We handle the statutory filings required under the Florida Business Corporation Act (Chapter 607) and Florida Revised LLC Act (Chapter 605) to make sure every step is legally sound.
Succession Planning
Family-owned businesses and professional practices need special attention. We coordinate succession strategies with your estate plan to keep operations running if an owner retires, becomes incapacitated, or passes away. This avoids court battles and keeps your employees, patients, and partners supported.
How We Work with Business Owners
We do not bury you in legal jargon or documents you will never read. Our process is structured, clear, and designed to provide long-term support.
Clarity Session:
We identify your goals, risks, and current documents.
Document Map :
We review what to keep, what to revise, and what to draft new.
File It Right:
Sunbiz-ready filings, amendments, and registered agent updates handled properly the first time.
Run-Ready Toolkit:
Operating agreements, bylaws, resolutions, and signature packets that make day-to-day decisions easier.
Quarterly Check-Ins:
Ongoing counsel to stay ahead of compliance deadlines and new business challenges.
Why Documentation Matters in Florida
Florida courts honor well-drafted agreements, but only if they exist. Without them, default statutes can override your intent.
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Single-member LLCs without agreements risk succession confusion.
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Corporations without bylaws face shareholder deadlock.
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Partnerships without written terms default to equal control, even if investment differs.
Our Florida business law attorneys help you stay in control with documentation that fits your goals.
The Role of Contracts in Avoiding Litigation
Most business lawsuits in Florida come down to unclear agreements. At Smith Will & Trust, our business law team believes contracts should be practical, readable, and enforceable — not buried in legal jargon.
We prepare:
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NDAs that truly protect trade secrets.
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Vendor Agreements with clear deliverables, payment schedules, and dispute resolution procedures.
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Employment and Contractor Agreements that comply with wage laws, non-compete restrictions, and confidentiality rules.
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Master Service Agreements (MSAs) that keep multiple projects consistent and efficient.
A well-drafted contract is more than protection against disputes — it’s a daily business tool that safeguards relationships, clarifies expectations, and keeps your company running smoothly.
Common Scenarios We Handle
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Startup Owners: Business law guidance for LLC formation, EIN filing, and operating agreements.
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Growing Companies: Business law support for adding members, restructuring, or issuing new shares.
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Family Businesses: Smooth ownership transfers and succession planning without operational disruption.
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Professional Practices: Business law strategies for physicians, attorneys, and professional firms’ succession plans.
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Investors & Buyers: Legal counsel for mergers, acquisitions, and statutory compliance filings.
Where We Meet (and Who to Call)
Meetings available by phone, secure video, or in person at our Tampa Bay office.
- Smith Will & Trust: 4830 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 600, Tampa, FL 33609
FAQs
Do I really need an operating agreement for a single-member LLC?
Yes. Florida recognizes single-member operating agreements, and they clarify banking, management, and succession in case of incapacity or death.
We are acquiring a competitor. What is the first step?
Start with a term sheet and due diligence. Then confirm approvals and statutory filings required by the Florida LLC or corporation statutes.
Can I convert my LLC to a corporation later?
Yes. Florida statutes allow conversions, but the process must be documented and filed with the state. We guide you through approvals, filings, and tax considerations.
What is the best way to protect against partner disputes?
Clear buy-sell provisions in your operating agreement or bylaws. They prevent uncertainty and reduce the chance of litigation when disagreements arise.