Partnership Disputes in Doral, Handled With Clear Strategy

A partnership dispute in Doral usually comes down to two questions: who makes the decisions, and who gets the money? KEW Legal is a Florida business law firm that works with business owners and investors in Doral and across Miami-Dade County. This page covers the common causes of co-owner fights, the Florida laws that often apply, and how to prepare for a consultation with partnership dispute attorney Kristina E. Wilson.

The rules that apply depend on how your business is set up. An LLC, a corporation, and a general partnership each follow a different Florida law.

Partnership Disputes Among Doral Business Owners

A partnership dispute is a disagreement between owners of the same business about control, money, or how an owner leaves. It can involve an LLC, a corporation, or a general partnership. Each type follows its own set of Florida rules.

Doral has a wide mix of businesses, from distribution and logistics companies to healthcare and professional practices. Many of these businesses have two or more owners. The agreement they signed at the start may not cover every problem that comes up later.

KEW Legal’s office is in Coral Gables, Florida, and the firm also has an office in Sunny Isles Beach. The firm does not have an office in Doral. It serves Doral business owners from its Coral Gables office.

Common Causes of Co-Owner Disagreements

Most co-owner disputes start with a few recurring problems. Here are the most common ones.

• Agreement terms read two ways. One owner reads the operating or partnership agreement one way. The other owner reads it another way.
• Money. Owners argue over capital contributions, profit splits, distributions, and loans one owner made to the company. In an LLC, distributions before dissolution are shared based on the agreed value of each member’s contributions, as stated in company records.
• Control and deadlock. In a member-managed LLC, an act outside the ordinary course of business needs a majority-in-interest vote of the members.
• Withheld records. A minority owner asks for books and records and gets no clear answer.
• Exit terms ignored. A buy-sell clause exists, but the departing owner won’t follow it, or the other owners won’t honor it.

How Florida Law Shapes a Partnership Dispute

Florida law sets default rules for each entity type. Your written agreement can change many of them.

In a member-managed LLC, a member may inspect and copy company records during regular business hours, after reasonable notice. Florida law addresses when a court may require a company to pay a member’s reasonable costs, including attorney fees, and whether that applies depends on the facts of each case.

The operating agreement has limits, too. It may not relieve a person from liability for bad faith, willful or intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.

For a corporation, a shareholder who wants certain board-level records must give written notice at least 5 business days ahead. The demand must be made in good faith and for a proper purpose.

For a general partnership, the partnership must give partners access to its books and records. Under Florida’s partnership statute, if a partner is dissociated from a partnership without resulting in a dissolution and winding up of the partnership business, the partnership shall cause the dissociated partner’s interest in the partnership to be purchased for a buyout price determined under the statute. If no deal is reached within 120 days after a written demand, the partnership pays in cash the buyout amount it estimates, plus accrued interest, reduced by any offsets under subsection (3).

These are default rules. The facts of your dispute and the exact wording of your documents decide how they apply.

How KEW Legal Handles Partnership Disputes

KEW Legal focuses on business and commercial matters, including partnership and co-owner disputes. The firm also handles outside general counsel work for businesses and business contract disputes.

Kristina E. Wilson is the lawyer responsible for this page. Office staff support the practice.

A matter usually starts with the governing documents. The next step is reviewing the entity’s records and the money trail. From there, options can include negotiation, mediation, or litigation, depending on what the documents and facts show. The firm does not promise a result or a timeline at the outset. Each decision depends on your facts and your documents.

Documents and Information to Gather Before a Consultation

The more complete your file is, the more useful the first conversation can be. Gather these items first.

• The operating, shareholder, or partnership agreement, with every amendment.
• Formation records and Sunbiz filings for the business.
• Financial statements, bank records, and the capital account and distribution history.
• Written correspondence with the other owner, including any default notice or demand.
• A short written timeline of the events that led to the disagreement.

For an LLC, Florida law requires the company to keep a current list of members and managers, plus financial statements for the three most recent years. Pull these records before you call.

Talk With KEW Legal About Your Doral Partnership Dispute

The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.

If a co-owner has stopped sharing records, blocked a decision, or refused to follow the exit terms, decisions about your business may not wait. Bring your agreement and your timeline. Then call 305-990-2300 or send us a message to start the conversation.

KEW Legal’s office is in Coral Gables, Florida. If your matter may be referred to another lawyer or firm, the firm will tell you so.