Practice areas
Business Formation Attorney in Vero Beach, Florida
Before opening my practice in Vero Beach, I spent twenty years on the business side, first as corporate counsel and then as chief executive of a large manufacturing company. That experience shapes how I advise business owners: practically, with an understanding of how legal decisions play out in day-to-day operations.
Whether you're starting your first LLC or restructuring an established business, I can help you choose the right entity, prepare the right documents, and understand clearly what your structure does and doesn't protect.
Charles H. Sanford, Esq.
What we handle
Entity selection and formation
LLCs, corporations, and partnerships, chosen to fit your situation.
Registered agent services
Serving as your company's Florida registered agent, so service of process and official state notices come straight to our office.
Operating and shareholder agreements
The documents that prevent partner disputes by settling the difficult questions early.
Business succession planning
What happens to the business when you retire or pass, coordinated with your estate plan.
Ongoing counsel
Contracts, leases, and the everyday legal questions of running a small business.
Common questions
Should I form an LLC or a corporation?
For most small Florida businesses an LLC offers the simplest mix of liability protection and flexibility, but 'most' isn't 'all'. Taxes, investors, and succession plans can point elsewhere. Tell me what you're building and I'll give you a straight recommendation.
Can't I just file an LLC online myself?
You can, and the filing itself is the simplest part. What an online service won't do is prepare an operating agreement, sort out ownership between partners, or tell you when an LLC isn't the right choice. Those are usually the decisions that matter most.
What happens to my business in my estate plan?
That's exactly the right question, and one most owners never ask. A business interest is often a family's largest asset, and passing it smoothly takes planning: buy-sell provisions, succession terms, and coordination with your will or trust. I handle both sides of that work.
Related practice areas
Schedule a consultation
Tell us what's going on, and we'll give you an honest assessment of your situation and what it would cost. There's no obligation, and nothing to prepare.