Business Law Counsel for Florida Entrepreneurs
Building and protecting a business requires sound legal guidance at every stage — from the day you choose your entity structure to the day you sell or pass it on. At Hernandez Legal, P.A., we serve as trusted legal advisors for Florida businesses of all sizes, providing practical, accessible counsel in both English and Spanish.
Whether you are launching a new venture, structuring a partnership, negotiating a contract, or planning your business succession, our team is here to protect your interests and help your business thrive.
"The best time to get legal advice for your business is before a problem arises — but we are here to help at every stage, including when disputes occur and decisions need to be made quickly."
Business Law Services We Provide
- Business Formation — LLC, corporation (S-Corp / C-Corp), partnership, and sole proprietorship formation with Articles of Organization or Incorporation filed with the Florida Division of Corporations.
- Operating Agreements & Bylaws — Comprehensive internal governance documents that define ownership rights, voting, profit distribution, and management authority.
- Contract Drafting & Review — Service agreements, vendor contracts, independent contractor agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and more — drafted to protect your interests.
- Buy-Sell Agreements — Legally enforceable agreements governing what happens to a business interest if an owner dies, becomes incapacitated, retires, or wants to exit.
- Business Succession Planning — Integrated planning to ensure smooth ownership transitions, minimize taxes, and protect the business you have built.
- Corporate Compliance & Governance — Annual reports, registered agent services coordination, board resolutions, and ongoing compliance support.
- Business Acquisitions & Sales — Due diligence, asset purchase agreements, and closing support for buying or selling a Florida business.
Our Business Law Process
- Business Goals Review — We start by understanding your business, your partners, your goals, and your risk tolerance to provide targeted advice.
- Entity & Structure Recommendation — We recommend the right legal structure for your situation, considering liability protection, tax treatment, and operational flexibility.
- Document Preparation — We draft all formation documents, agreements, and contracts with precision, tailored to your specific business.
- Filing & Registration — We handle state and local filings, including Florida Division of Corporations registrations and assumed name (DBA) registrations.
- Ongoing Counsel — As your business grows, we are available for contract review, compliance questions, dispute resolution, and succession planning updates.
Business Succession & Estate Integration
Your business is likely one of your most valuable assets. Without a proper succession plan, your family could face devastating tax consequences, ownership disputes, or forced liquidation of the business at death or incapacity. We integrate business succession planning with your overall estate plan to ensure continuity, protect your heirs, and honor your intentions.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most small business owners in Florida, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) offers the best combination of liability protection, tax flexibility, and administrative simplicity. However, the right choice depends on your specific situation, the number of owners, tax goals, and industry. We evaluate all of these factors before making a recommendation.
Technically no — you can file Articles of Organization online yourself. However, without an attorney, you risk missing critical details: a poorly drafted Operating Agreement can lead to costly disputes, and an improperly structured LLC may not provide the liability protection you expect. Attorney-prepared formation documents are an investment that protects you for the life of the business.
A buy-sell agreement (also called a business succession agreement) legally governs what happens to a co-owner's interest in the event of death, disability, retirement, divorce, or voluntary departure. Without one, the remaining owners may be forced to partner with a deceased owner's heirs or a departing partner's creditors. If you have a business partner, a buy-sell agreement is essential.
Yes. We draft, review, and negotiate all types of business contracts including service agreements, vendor contracts, independent contractor agreements (especially important given IRS classification rules), commercial leases, NDAs, and partnership agreements. We also review contracts presented to you before you sign them.
Business succession planning is the process of preparing for the transfer of business ownership and management — whether to a family member, partner, employee, or outside buyer. Ideally you begin planning 5–10 years before an anticipated transition, but we work with business owners at any stage. The earlier you start, the more options you have.