Exit Strategy Development

2. Florida Legal Context

Exit strategies for Florida businesses often involve:

• Entity Laws:
  • Florida Revised LLC Act (Ch. 605, Fla. Stat.) – governs transfers of LLC membership interests.
  • Florida Business Corporation Act (Ch. 607, Fla. Stat.) – governs stock sales, mergers, and dissolutions.
• Contracts: Buy-sell agreements, shareholder agreements, and operating agreements often dictate exit options.
• Regulatory Compliance: Business sales may trigger state/federal compliance (licensing, employment, taxes).
• Tax Planning: Florida has no state income tax, but federal capital gains and estate taxes apply.

3. Real-World Application

Examples of exit strategies in Florida businesses:

• A Tampa IT company owner sells the business to a larger competitor, using a stock sale for maximum value.
• A Miami family business transfers ownership to the next generation through a trust structure.
• An Orlando retailer winds down operations, liquidates assets, and formally dissolves the entity.

4. Why It Matters for Business Owners

Without an exit strategy, business owners risk losing value or facing costly disputes.

Why it matters:

• Maximizes value: Proper planning increases buyer interest and sale price.
• Protects family and heirs: Provides clarity if the owner retires, becomes incapacitated, or passes away.
• Minimizes risk: Reduces tax liability and legal exposure.
• Ensures continuity: Protects employees and customers during transition.

Common mistakes Florida owners make:

• Waiting until retirement to plan their exit.
• Overlooking tax consequences of sales or transfers.
• Not aligning exit strategy with estate planning.
• Assuming the business can be sold without preparation.

5. Real-World Florida Examples

• A Sarasota medical practice negotiated a successful buyout because the owners had a clear exit plan with valuation provisions.
• A Jacksonville logistics firm failed to plan, resulting in a rushed sale at below market value.
• A Fort Lauderdale restaurant chain transitioned ownership smoothly by integrating its exit strategy with succession planning.

6. How Our Law Firm Can Help

At Black Rock Trial Lawyers, we guide Florida business owners through strategic exits. Our services include:

• Drafting and reviewing buy-sell agreements
• Advising on mergers, acquisitions, and asset/stock sales
• Coordinating exit planning with tax and estate planning advisors
• Assisting with dissolution filings and compliance if closing a business
• Protecting business owners from liability during transitions

We ensure your exit is structured, profitable, and legally compliant.

7. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: When should I start planning my exit strategy?
A: Ideally 3–5 years before you plan to exit, but sooner is always better.

Q: What’s the difference between selling and dissolving a business?
A: Selling transfers ownership to a buyer; dissolving means closing the business and liquidating assets.

Q: Can I combine succession planning with an exit strategy?
A: Yes. Many business owners transition to family or employees as their “exit.”

Q: Do I need a lawyer to sell or exit my business in Florida?
A: Absolutely. Legal, tax, and contractual issues must be managed to avoid disputes or penalties.

Q: What’s the most common exit strategy in Florida?
A: Sales to third parties (asset or stock sales) and family succession are among the most common.

8. How to Retain Our Law Firm

We offer multiple access points tailored to your needs:

• Flat-Fee Retainers: Set pricing based on project scope (quoted after your consultation)
• 1-Hour Strategy Consultations: A high-impact session to assess your issues, answer questions, and develop a legal roadmap. Pricing starts at $500.00.
• 3-Hour Master Strategy Sessions: A deep dive analysis with detailed, actionable solutions tailored to your business challenges
• Flagship Product: BELAW – Business + Entrepreneurship Law Advisor Program (Read below)

All services are available in-person, by phone, or virtually.

9. Flagship Product: BELAW – Business + Entrepreneurship Law Advisor Program

Our flagship service is the BELAW Membership – Business & Entrepreneurship Law Advisor Program. This is an exclusive, members-only, 12-month ON-DEMAND legal and business support program at a predictable flat monthly fee, tailored to each business client—regardless of company size.

BELAW is open to business owners, entrepreneurs, for-profit companies, non-profits, and foreign investors. Our members range from startups and nonprofits to established businesses.

At the core of BELAW is our P.O.N.C.E. methodology, developed by Attorney Gil Sanchez, to help businesses not just stay protected—but grow strategically.

What you get with BELAW:

• On demand strategic legal consultations with Attorney Gil Sanchez
• Document review and compliance audits
• Guidance on contracts, leasing, employment, and liability
• Drafting Collection Notices, Cease & Desist Letters and Confidentiality Agreements
• Proactive legal support to mitigate lawsuits and reduce risk exposure
• Strategic input on revenue-generating decisions like expansion, licensing, and joint ventures
• Entrepreneur coaching and a growing library of business education resources
• Litigation retainer and hourly rate discounts

We’re available when you need us—on demand, without hourly billing.

We make it easy to get started:

• Call or text us at (813) 254-1777
• Or fill out the secure contact form below

A member of our team will respond promptly to schedule your consultation.

10. How to Contact Our Law Firm to Retain

We make it easy for you to retain us:

• Call or text: (813) 254-1777
• Email: info@blackrocklaw.com
• Or submit your request using the form below

Our team will promptly follow up to confirm availability and next steps.

11. Who You Are Hiring

When you hire our firm, you’re not just hiring a lawyer — you’re securing the insight, grit, and expertise of Attorney Gil Sanchez.

A proud double Gator, Gil earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida — one of the top public universities in the country. Since 2004, he has built a reputation as a formidable business and trial attorney, successfully trying cases before juries in both Florida state and federal courts.

Gil’s legal practice is deeply informed by real-life experience. He launched his first business at age 13 and has continued to build, lead, and advise companies ever since. He’s a licensed business broker (since 2007), an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at St. Petersburg College, and a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, professionals, and business owners across Florida.

He’s also an inventor, author, and public speaker — holding a U.S. utility patent and federal trademark. His invention was featured in TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023, and his legal insights have appeared on CNN, ABC’s 20/20, and other national platforms. Raised by Colombian parents in West Virginia and fluent in Spanish, Gil brings cultural fluency, resilience, and a fighter’s mindset to every client matter.

Above all, Gil is a devoted family man — happily married and the proud father of three beautiful children. His commitment to family shapes the way he practices law: with empathy, integrity, and a relentless drive to protect what matters most.

At Black Rock Trial Lawyers, you’re not just getting a legal technician — you’re hiring a battle-tested strategist who understands both the courtroom and the real world. That’s who’s fighting for you.

12. The Law Firm’s Geographical Reach

We proudly represent businesses across all counties in Florida. With the power of virtual consultations, online filings, and remote court access, we can support your legal needs anywhere in Florida—without compromising service quality.

Our main office is in South Tampa, Florida, with a satellite office in South Florida – Miramar, Florida.

From Miami to Jacksonville, Pensacola to Key West—Black Rock Trial Lawyers is here to help Florida businesses thrive.

13. Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal advice. Every individual and business matter involves unique facts and circumstances that must be carefully evaluated. Additionally, Florida laws, including statutes and case law, are subject to frequent changes, and the information presented here may not reflect the most current legal developments. For a formal legal opinion or advice specific to your situation, you must consult directly with an attorney at our firm. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this site or by contacting our office through this website.