Few business crises are more disruptive than discovering that a partner has been acting against your interests. Whether it's siphoning funds, competing with the business, freezing you out of decisions, or simply refusing to cooperate, you have legal rights — and acting quickly matters.
Common Types of Business Partner Disputes
Business partner conflicts take many forms. Some of the most common in Florida include:
- Misappropriation of funds — a partner taking money from the business for personal use without authorization
- Breach of fiduciary duty — a partner making decisions that benefit themselves at the expense of the business or other partners
- Competing with the business — a partner secretly running a competing operation or diverting clients and contracts
- Deadlock — partners who can no longer agree on basic business decisions, paralyzing the company
- Freeze-out — a majority partner excluding a minority partner from decision-making, information, or distributions
- Breach of the operating agreement or partnership agreement — failing to follow the terms the partners agreed to
Fiduciary Duties in Florida Business Entities
Partners in a Florida partnership, and members/managers of a Florida LLC, owe each other fiduciary duties — the highest standard of trust and loyalty recognized by law. These duties include:
- Duty of loyalty — act in the best interests of the business, not self-interest
- Duty of care — make decisions with reasonable prudence and competence
- Duty of good faith and fair dealing — be honest and not act opportunistically against co-owners
A breach of fiduciary duty is a serious legal claim. If a partner violated these duties and caused financial harm, you may be entitled to compensation, disgorgement of profits, or other remedies.
Dealing with a partner dispute?
Call for a confidential consultation. We'll assess your situation and help you understand your options.
What to Do First: Document Everything
Before taking any formal action, gather and preserve evidence. This includes:
- Bank and financial records showing suspicious transactions
- Emails, texts, and written communications about the dispute
- The operating agreement, partnership agreement, or shareholders' agreement
- Business records, contracts, and client lists
- Any agreements made outside the formal governing documents
Do not destroy or alter any records, and be cautious about what you communicate in writing once you suspect a dispute is developing.
Your Legal Options in Florida
Negotiation — In many cases, a structured negotiation — often with attorneys involved — can resolve the dispute, establish a buyout, or lead to an agreed restructuring of the business relationship.
Mediation — A neutral mediator facilitates a resolution. Many operating agreements require mediation before litigation. Even without a requirement, it can be faster and less expensive than going to court.
Litigation — If negotiation fails, you may need to file a lawsuit for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, accounting, or injunctive relief. Courts can order emergency relief to freeze assets or prevent a partner from continuing harmful actions.
Business dissolution — In cases of serious deadlock or partner misconduct, Florida courts have the authority to judicially dissolve the business. This is a last resort but sometimes the most practical outcome.
Review Your Operating or Partnership Agreement
Your governing documents are the first place to look. A well-drafted operating agreement specifies how disputes are resolved, how a partner can be removed, what buyout mechanisms apply, and what happens in a deadlock. If your agreement doesn't address these issues — or if you don't have a formal agreement — your rights are determined by Florida's default statutes, which may not reflect what you intended.
If you don't have a written agreement with your partner, now is the time to understand what Florida law provides by default — and what that means for your specific situation.