Given the industry-wide effects from COVID-19, lenders are already aware that many clients in the hospitality industry will have difficulties staying current on their mortgages and loan obligations. This is especially true for hotels and restaurants. This blog series focuses on mortgage lending with regard to hotels and restaurants and […]
Part 1 of this series provided an overview of Florida’s Consumer Collections Practices Act (FCCPA) and explained why it is imperative for all business owners to be aware of, and understand, the FCCPA. This article explores Section 559.77’s bona fide error defense and how businesses can be prepared to defend […]
All businesses in the state of Florida need to be familiar with Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act (“FCCPA”). The FCCPA is found at Sections 559.55-559.785 of the Florida Statutes. The FCCPA is intended to protect consumers and is intentionally unfair to creditors. See §559.552, Fla. Stat. (2019); Kelly v. Duggan, […]
The novel coronavirus pandemic and related government “stay at home” and “shelter in place” orders are causing serious negative financial impacts to business of all types. Many of the hardest hit industries, such as restaurants and retailers, are industries in which a large portion of the business may be operated […]
Motion and/or Affidavit of Prejudgment Writ of Garnishment, §77.031 Fla .Stat. Garnishment is a statutory remedy used to reach tangible or intangible personal property of a debtor while that property is in the hands of a third party. A very common example of such is garnishment of a debtor’s wages […]
Every small business contract should include a provision that states that the business is entitled to recover the maximum rate of interest permitted by law both prejudgment and postjudgment. Many contracts provide for the recovery of interest, but very few provide for the recovery of postjudgment interest at the highest […]
Including an attorneys’ fees provision in a small business contract is vital when a small business wants to sue to enforce its contract. Without an attorneys’ fees provision, a lawsuit may become cost prohibitive for a small business. Part 1 of this Blog provided an overview of the importance of […]
An exclusive venue provision, or commonly referred to as a forum selection clause, is an integral part of every small business contract. Including an exclusive venue provision in a small business contract is extremely important for a small business that provides labor, materials or services to clients located in different […]
A large part of my practice involves litigating contract disputes on behalf of small businesses. I frequently receive inquiries from small businesses that are looking to enforce their contracts. More times than not, the small business has a poorly drafted contract that was either drafted by the small business itself […]
Florida’s Banking Statutes of Frauds was enacted in order to curb a 1980s trend of increasing lender liability lawsuits. The enactment of this statute makes it difficult for plaintiffs to maintain tort-based claims that might otherwise flow from the written loan documents. Typically, such claims involve oral promises pertaining to […]