ZinnLaw

06/18/2026

Many people in Southwest Florida still believe filing bankruptcy means losing everything, but that is not how the law works. Florida law can protect major assets, and Chapter 13 often lets people keep property while repaying debt through a court-approved plan over three to five years. Here is the question: what worries you most right now, your home, your car, wage garnishment, or credit card debt? A lot of stress comes from not knowing your options, especially when Florida exemptions and federal filing rules work together in ways that are not always obvious. When we look at the details early, people usually have more room to act than they expected. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at www.zinn.law.

06/12/2026

New Builder Warranty Requirements Protect Florida Homeowners

Florida's 2025 legislative session brought mandatory new home builder warranty obligations that affect both builders and buyers across the state. These warranty requirements establish baseline protections for homeowners and create clearer liability for builders when defects arise in newly constructed homes. Paired with a reduced statute of repose for construction defect claims, now set at seven years under updated Florida law, homeowners have a defined window to bring forward defect-related legal action, and builders need to understand exactly when that clock begins. For new construction buyers in Lee and Collier County, these changes represent real, enforceable protections. For builders, they represent a compliance checklist that should be reviewed with a construction attorney before any project closes. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

Bankruptcy Law. Contract Law. Commercial Litigation. Real Estate. Construction Law. Tax Negotiation.

06/11/2026

Florida's Prompt Payment Act Still Protects Your Right to Be Paid

One of the most powerful tools available to contractors in Florida is the Prompt Payment Act, codified in Chapter 218 of the Florida Statutes. This law requires that both public and private project owners pay contractors and subcontractors within specific timeframes, or face mandatory interest penalties. For contracts with local government entities entered into on or after July 1, 2025, the updated statute further strengthens procedural requirements, including the new 35-day change order response mandate. Many contractors in Southwest Florida do not realize that the law entitles them to interest on late payments without having to file a lawsuit first. If you are consistently waiting longer than the law allows for payment on a project, that is not just frustrating, it is a legal violation. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

Bankruptcy Law. Contract Law. Commercial Litigation. Real Estate. Construction Law. Tax Negotiation.

06/09/2026

In Florida, bankruptcy is not just about what you owe. It is also about what you can keep. Florida has opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemption system, so most people filing here rely on Florida protections, including a strong homestead exemption, a $5,000 motor vehicle exemption, and up to $5,000 in wildcard protection if you do not claim homestead. Florida’s homestead protection can cover unlimited equity in a primary residence if the property qualifies, although federal law can cap recently acquired homestead equity if you have not owned the home for at least 1,215 days. A careful review of your assets can change the entire conversation. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

Bankruptcy Law. Contract Law. Commercial Litigation. Real Estate. Construction Law. Tax Negotiation.

06/08/2026

If you have been putting off bankruptcy because you heard the rules changed, here is the part that matters most in 2026. Federal bankruptcy dollar amounts were adjusted on April 1, 2025, and those updated figures apply to cases filed on or after that date, which can affect exemptions, filing thresholds, and several priority limits. For Florida families, the bigger issue is still strategy, because Florida generally requires filers to use state exemptions instead of the federal bankruptcy exemption system. That means your home, vehicle, wages, and personal property need to be reviewed under Florida law before you assume what is or is not protected. The right filing date can matter more than most people realize. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

Bankruptcy Law. Contract Law. Commercial Litigation. Real Estate. Construction Law. Tax Negotiation.

06/05/2026

Has a Permitting Delay Ever Cost You Money?

Permitting delays are one of the most common frustrations contractors and homeowners in Southwest Florida deal with on construction projects. Under new provisions in HB 683 effective July 1, 2025, Florida law now bars local governments from requiring copies of contracts as a condition of issuing a building permit, a change aimed at removing one common source of delay. But permit bottlenecks still happen, and they often come with real financial consequences. Have you ever experienced a permitting delay that held up your project or cost you money? Tell us what happened in the comments below. Understanding the experiences of our community helps us better advocate for the contractors and property owners we serve every day. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

Bankruptcy Law. Contract Law. Commercial Litigation. Real Estate. Construction Law. Tax Negotiation.

06/04/2026

Roofing Contractors Face New Contract and Disclosure Requirements

Florida's roofing contractors are operating under an expanded set of legal obligations following the signing of HB 715 in 2025. This legislation amends Chapter 489 of the Florida Statutes and introduces new contractual disclosure requirements, updated cancellation timelines, and scope-of-work obligations that roofing contractors must follow on every job. These requirements build on a series of roofing-specific reforms Florida has enacted since 2019, a sign that the Legislature is closely monitoring this trade following years of post-hurricane fraud and licensing issues in Southwest Florida. Failing to include the required disclosures in a roofing contract can expose a contractor to legal liability and licensing consequences. If you are a roofer or a homeowner hiring one, knowing what must legally appear in that contract protects everyone involved. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

Bankruptcy Law. Contract Law. Commercial Litigation. Real Estate. Construction Law. Tax Negotiation.

05/29/2026

Local Specialty Contractor Licenses Were Phased Out July 1, 2025

A major shift in how Florida regulates contractor licensing took effect on July 1, 2025. Under SB 1142, local governments may no longer issue specialty contractor licenses unless those license types substantially correspond to the categories recognized by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board, or CILB, as governed by Florida Statutes Section 489.117. Contractors who previously relied on a locally registered license to pull permits now face potential permitting delays or outright rejections. Upgrading to a state-certified credential is no longer optional for most trades. If you are unsure whether your current license qualifies under the new state standards, acting now protects your ability to bid and work without interruption. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

Bankruptcy Law. Contract Law. Commercial Litigation. Real Estate. Construction Law. Tax Negotiation.

05/28/2026

What Construction Law Challenge Are You Facing?

If you are a contractor, subcontractor, or homeowner in Southwest Florida, the legal landscape around construction has changed significantly just in the past year. From lien waiver form requirements to government change order deadlines, keeping up with Florida's evolving statutes is a real challenge for anyone running a project or a business. We want to hear from you: what is the single biggest legal obstacle you have encountered on a construction project in Florida? Whether it involves getting paid, permitting delays, or licensing questions, your situation matters and deserves a real answer. Drop your experience in the comments, and let our team help point you in the right direction. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

05/22/2026

Florida's construction industry entered new legal territory on July 1, 2025, with the passage of HB 683. Under the updated Florida Statutes Section 218.755, local governmental entities are now required to approve or deny change orders submitted by contractors within 35 days of receipt. Prior to this change, contractors frequently waited indefinitely for a response, often pausing jobs or absorbing costs while awaiting government action. For contractors working on public projects throughout Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties, this new deadline creates a clear legal avenue for relief if a government entity drags its feet. Understanding how to formally trigger that 35-day clock can be the difference between a stalled project and one that moves forward. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.