ZinnLaw

09/03/2026

If you work in construction or commercial projects, the difference between direct and consequential damages can mean millions of dollars, and we want you to understand that distinction. Recent Florida decisions have treated the cost to repair defective work as direct damages, even when third parties perform the repairs. Courts reason that repair costs flow naturally from the breaching party’s core obligation, not as some remote, indirect loss. This becomes critical when your contract includes a waiver of consequential damages. You may still recover substantial repair costs as direct damages even when other categories of loss are limited. When we review your contracts, we pay close attention to damage clauses so you are not surprised later by what is, and is not, recoverable in court. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

08/28/2026

If you are trying to protect your property this storm season, Florida’s new law is worth close attention. CS/CS/HB 803 requires local governments to exempt certain temporary residential hurricane and flood protection walls or barriers from permit requirements when they are non-habitable, non-load bearing, installed on qualifying residential property, built to block storm surge or floodwaters, installed by a properly licensed contractor, and compliant with local zoning, drainage, easement, and setback rules. That exemption still does not apply in flood hazard areas. The practical lesson for Southwest Florida homeowners is simple: storm preparation can move faster, but only when the installation meets the statute’s conditions and the paperwork is handled correctly. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

08/27/2026

If you are a contractor, developer, or homeowner planning a modest project, Florida’s permitting reforms go beyond the $7,500 exemption. The Senate bill summary for HB 803 says local governments must respond within five days to permit applications for work valued under $15,000, and it also says associations cannot require a building permit as a prerequisite for parcel review. Official House analysis further explains that local inspection fees may not exceed the actual cost incurred to perform and approve the inspection required for a permit. For Southwest Florida clients, that matters because delay, inconsistency, and unnecessary cost often drive disputes. Getting legal advice early can help you document compliance, preserve timelines, and avoid expensive conflict. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at www.zinn.law.

08/21/2026

We want you to know that Florida law does not limit your protections to the words typed on the page. Courts often imply terms into your contracts based on fairness, trade usage, and the nature of the deal, including an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. That duty requires both sides to act honestly and not use technical loopholes to destroy the benefits the other party expected. If the other side is doing the bare minimum on paper while secretly sabotaging performance, we may still have a breach claim even if the contract language seems silent. In litigation, we look not only at what your agreement says but at how the other party behaved over time. Patterns of delay, obstruction, or manipulation can be just as important as any written clause. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

08/20/2026

When you ask us about “what you can get” in a Florida breach of contract case, we focus on one core principle. The goal is to put you as close as possible to where you would have been if the contract had been honored, not to punish the other side. That usually means direct damages like the cost to complete work, fix defective performance, hire a new vendor, or recover payments you already made. In some cases, we can also pursue consequential damages, such as lost profits or downstream losses, but only if those harms were reasonably foreseeable when you made the deal. Emotional distress is rarely recoverable in contract cases, and you also have a duty to take reasonable steps to limit your own losses. We walk you through each category so your expectations match what Florida law actually allows. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

08/14/2026

Many clients are surprised when we tell them that a signed contract is not always the only thinga Florida court will look at. Under the parol evidence rule, outside evidence usually cannot contradict a clear, final written agreement, but there are important exceptions. When language is ambiguous, judges may consider emails, proposals, drafts, text messages, and industry standards to explain what those terms really meant to both sides. That means every casual “Looks good” email, every vague change order, and every undocumented phone conversation can come back in court. When we prepare your case, we gather that full story, not just the contract itself. When we draft your agreements, we draft them knowing those side communications may later be used as evidence. 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.

08/13/2026

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.

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

08/07/2026

We know you can’t wait to take possession of your new Southwest Florida home. That’s why it’s so important that everyone involved in the process have chosen a closing date that works well for each person to complete what needs to be done, and it’s equally important to include that closing date in the contract.

Date of closing – This stipulates how much time the buyer has to complete the purchase. The time frame may be 30 days, 45 days, 60 days or longer. No matter how much time you need, it needs to be included specifically in the contract.

When determining the date of closing, factors to consider include relocation time, any issues with your existing lease, and the amount of time you expect for paperwork to process through the lender, title company, and lawyers.
If you need to have a real estate contract looked over, or you are looking to dispute a contract you’ve already signed give us a call give us a call to look over your case (239) 418-1529 or go to our website https://www.zinn.law.com ,

08/06/2026

Bankruptcy filings rose across the United States in 2025, which is a sign that more families and businesses are dealing with real financial pressure, not personal failure. That is why updated bankruptcy rules matter. Federal dollar amounts changed in 2025, Florida filers still need to understand the state exemption system, and the wrong assumptions about homestead, car equity, or Chapter 13 eligibility can be costly. So here is the question: are you waiting because you think bankruptcy will ruin everything, or because no one has explained your options clearly? Good advice starts with the facts, not fear. Give us a call at ZinnLaw (239) 418-1529 or visit our website at https://www.zinn.law.

Local Fort Myers law firm specializing in contract law, bankruptcy law, construction law and litigation in Florida. Se habla Español.

07/31/2026

Southwest Florida business owners should know about this 2025 change in bankruptcy law. There is now a higher threshold for involuntary bankruptcy filings. For Chapter 11 cases filed on or after April 1, 2025, creditors now need at least $21,050 in qualifying claims to start an involuntary case, up from $18,600. That does not stop creditor pressure, but it does change the math in some disputes involving unpaid contracts, vendor balances, or business breakdowns. If your company is under pressure from multiple creditors, early legal advice matters because bankruptcy strategy is often about leverage, timing, and documentation as much as debt itself. Waiting until a lawsuit turns into a crisis usually limits your choices. 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.