Hiring a Business Lawyer in Florida
How to form an LLC in Florida, the state fees and yearly filings, how to check a lawyer's license, and the state bar's fee rules. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Florida: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Florida requires every contingent fee arrangement to be a written contract signed by the client and a lawyer for the firm, stating the percentages on settlement, trial or appeal and the costs deducted (and whether before or after the fee); the client gets a copy and, at the end, an itemized closing statement. Contingent fees are banned for criminal defendants and for domestic relations fees contingent on a divorce or the amount of alimony, support or property settlement. In personal injury, wrongful death and property damage tort cases, the client must first receive and sign a Statement of Client's Rights, and the contract may be cancelled in writing within 3 business days. Without court approval, fees above these levels are presumed clearly excessive: before an answer is filed (or demand for arbitrators), 33 1/3% of any recovery up to $1 million, 30% of $1-2 million, and 20% above $2 million; after an answer through judgment, 40% up to $1 million, 30% of $1-2 million, 20% above $2 million; if all defendants admit liability and ask for trial on damages only, 33 1/3% up to $1 million, 20% of $1-2 million, 15% above $2 million; plus an additional 5% if an appeal or post-judgment action is needed. In medical liability cases the lawyer must also give the client the text of Florida Constitution article I, section 26 (which, unless waived, entitles the claimant to at least 70% of the first $250,000 of damages). |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Florida Bar's Legal Fee Arbitration Program is free and voluntary: either the lawyer or the client can start it, but both must consent by signing an Agreement to Arbitrate. An arbitrator hears testimony, reviews evidence and makes a final and binding decision. Consumer guide: https://www.floridabar.org/public/consumer/pamphlet009/ |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Florida Bar Clients' Security Fund, financed by part of Bar members' dues, may provide discretionary relief to people who lost money because a Florida lawyer misappropriated it during an attorney-client relationship. The lawyer generally must have been suspended, disbarred or had a license revoked (or have died), and a grievance must be filed unless the lawyer was already disbarred, revoked or deceased. Limits: unearned fees up to $5,000 (only if no useful services were provided) and misappropriation up to $250,000; damages, expenses and lost interest are not paid, and negligence, malpractice and fee disputes are not covered. File within three years of the final disciplinary action or the lawyer's death; processing often takes more than 12 months, and theft claims are paid once a year (prorated if funds are short). |
Florida rules to know first
| How to form an LLC | File Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), online with a credit card or by mailing the paper form with a check or money order. The articles must include the LLC name, principal office street and mailing addresses, and the registered agent's name and Florida street address with the agent's signed acceptance. Filings are examined in the order received; the Division emails (online) or mails (paper) a confirmation once the filing is approved. The Division does not give a fixed processing time on the pages reviewed. |
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| LLC filing fee | Forming a Florida LLC costs $125.00 in total: a $100.00 filing fee plus a $25.00 registered agent designation fee. A certificate of status ($5.00) and certified copy ($30.00) are optional. |
| Registered agent | The LLC must name a registered agent with a Florida street address (P.O. boxes are not acceptable). The agent must sign and state that it is familiar with and accepts the obligations of the position. Changing the registered agent costs $25.00. |
| Annual report | Florida LLCs file an annual report with the Division of Corporations each year. The fee is $138.75 (including a supplemental fee). Reports filed after May 1 (11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, May 1, 2026 for this year) incur a $400 late fee, for a total of $538.75. Annual reports must be filed by the third Friday in September to avoid administrative dissolution. |
| Closing an LLC | File Articles of Dissolution (or, for a foreign LLC, a withdrawal) with the Division of Corporations. The fee is $25.00. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service matches you with a lawyer based on your legal issue and location after you briefly describe your situation. "You can receive a 30-minute consultation for no more than $25." Call 800-342-8011 (weekdays 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) or use the online referral form, available 24/7. Local bar associations run nine referral services in Florida's major cities, and The Florida Bar handles referrals from all other areas. The service does not have pro bono lawyers. Coverage areas: https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/coverage-areas/ |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Florida Bar's member search ("Find a Member") lets you look up Florida lawyers by name, Bar number (exact match), city, county, state or country, with filters for eligible lawyers only, board certifications, practice areas, law schools and languages. Source: The Florida Bar, Find a Member |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Florida Bar's Attorney/Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP) is a resource for people who want to discuss concerns about a lawyer's conduct: call 866-352-0707. To file a formal Bar complaint, download the complaint form, review the instructions and submit it as directed. The Bar publishes a monthly summary of disciplinary actions and instructions for viewing discipline documents. The Florida Bar: 651 E. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32399; 850-561-5600. Filing a complaint: https://www.floridabar.org/public/acap/filing-a-complaint/ ; Discipline documents: https://www.floridabar.org/public/acap/instructions/ |
All legal help in Florida · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.