Florida Legal Entities

Florida recognizes multiple forms of business entities. The most common is an LLC, which stands for limited liability company. Today there are almost three million LLCs registered in Florida. The second most common entity is a corporation, and today there are about one million corporations registered in Florida.

LLCs and corporations are formed by filing articles with the Florida Division of Corporations. The state allows this to be done online, but the forms provided by the state do not include all of the forms that an LLC or corporation should have. For example, the state does not provide an operating agreement for an LLC or the bylaws and stock certificates for a corporation or membership certificates for a nonprofit corporation.

Books on Florida Legal Entities

St. Petersburg lawyer James W. Martin has written seven volumes of legal forms books on Florida business entities and nonprofit organizations, including these recently-published volumes:

• How To Form a Florida LLC or Limited Liability Company: A Guide for Lawyers
• How To Form a Florida Business Corporation: A Guide for Lawyers
• How to Form a Florida Nonprofit Corporation: A Guide for Lawyers

Contracts

James W. Martin has taught contract drafting for over fifteen years at Stetson University College of Law as an Adjunct Professor of Law, and he has written several volumes of contract forms books for lawyers.

Florida Legal Entity Law FAQ

The underlying legal concepts in Florida legal entity law for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and partnerships can make it difficult to understand the documents and terminology. So, St. Petersburg Pinellas County Florida attorney James W. Martin has written Florida Business Law Frequently Asked Questions that explains concepts and words used in Florida LLC, corporation, and business entity law.

Articles on Legal Entities and Contract Drafting

James W. Martin has also written articles published by the American Law Institute and The Florida Bar regarding business entities and contract drafting, which are available as downloads on the Attorney Profile page for James W. Martin.

Other Practice Areas

This page relates to one of the practice areas of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida lawyer James W. Martin. For other practice areas, click here.

Contact

If you have the need for a Florida lawyer to advise you concerning legal entities owned by probate or trust estates, you may use the contact form below or call James W. Martin directly at 727-821-0904 or email him at jim@jamesmartinpa.com .

Disclaimer

This page was created for general background and educational purposes, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

This page was written by James W. Martin, Esq. and last updated on July 16, 2026.