If you are planning to start your own business, especially if you are interested in a sole proprietorship, you may want Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. to handle your Fictitious Name or DBA (hereinafter "fictitious name").
A fictitious name is any name under which a person transacts business in the state other than his legal name.
Registering a fictitious name is valuable for corporations. The corporation may always use its name. If, however, the corporation wishes to use any name other than its name, it must file a fictitious name.
For example,
XYZ, Inc., a Florida corporation wants to open a restaurant and called "Clucky Chicken". XYZ, Inc. must file a DBA with the State of Florida in order to operate under "Clucky Chicken". By registering the fictitious name, the corporation may use its name or "Clucky Chicken". One advantage of registering a fictitious name is that you can obtain a Federal Identification Number for the fictitious name to enable you to open a bank account for the business under the fictitious name.
If a business fails to comply with the applicable Florida Laws on fictitious name registrations, the results may be adverse in a court of law. A person who fails to comply with the requirements of Florida Law on fictitious names may be charged with a misdemeanor of the second degree.
If you have a fictitious name now, keep in mind that a fictitious name registration will be effective for a period of five years and expires on December 31st of the fifth year.
We can help you register your fictitious name. Complete the form below and provide contact information, an associate of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. will get in touch with you immediately: