Real Estate Law West Palm Beach, FL

Property transactions in West Palm Beach involve complex contracts, strict disclosure requirements, and local regulations that affect everything from closing timelines to property use rights. One missed contingency or poorly drafted clause can cost thousands when disputes emerge after money changes hands. At Kelley, Grant & Tanis, P.A., Florida Bar-certified attorneys, we represent property owners, investors, and landlords throughout Palm Beach County with legal services that protect your interests at every stage.

Our practice handles deed preparation, purchase contract review, lease negotiations, escrow disputes, zoning appeals, and LLC formation for investment properties. We also manage closing coordination, easement conflicts, and litigation when transactions go sideways. Working with attorneys who understand both Florida property statutes and West Palm Beach’s local ordinances means fewer surprises and better outcomes from initial offer through final transfer.

Why Legal Representation Matters

West Palm Beach’s real estate market spans downtown high-rises near Clematis Street, historic neighborhoods like Flamingo Park, waterfront estates along the Intracoastal, and commercial properties serving the city’s growing business community. Each property type brings unique legal considerations: condo association restrictions, environmental regulations for waterfront parcels, historic preservation requirements, or commercial zoning limitations.

Florida’s landlord-tenant laws under Chapter 83 and real property statutes add layers of complexity that catch inexperienced buyers off guard. Attorney oversight identifies problems during due diligence rather than after closing when resolution becomes exponentially more expensive and complicated.

Essential Services for West Palm Beach Properties

• Contract Drafting and Review: We prepare purchase agreements, lease documents, operating agreements, and corporate filings that protect your position and comply with Florida law.
• Property Due Diligence: We verify title status, examine zoning restrictions, confirm permitted uses, and review encumbrances using Palm Beach County Property Appraiser records and city planning documents.
• Conflict Resolution: We handle disputes involving earnest money deposits, seller disclosure violations, lease breaches, boundary disagreements, and contract termination through negotiation or court proceedings when necessary.
• Transaction Closing: We coordinate fund disbursements, document recording, and final transfer logistics while ensuring compliance with City of West Palm Beach Development Services Department requirements.

Transparent Fee Structure

Our flat-fee pricing for routine real estate services provides cost certainty for standard transactions including closings, lease preparation, and business entity formation. We evaluate each matter’s complexity upfront so clients understand financial commitments before work begins.

Complex situations involving active litigation, extended negotiations, or unusual property issues may require alternative billing arrangements. We discuss fee structures clearly during initial consultations and maintain communication about costs as matters progress.

Why Work With Kelley, Grant & Tanis, P.A.?

We respond quickly when issues threaten your transaction timeline, draft enforceable agreements that hold up under scrutiny, and negotiate terms that protect your financial interests. Our knowledge of Florida real estate law combined with West Palm Beach market experience allows us to provide tailored guidance for residential buyers, commercial investors, and property developers.

From escrow account management to complex easement disputes, we ensure every transaction step reflects your goals. We also educate clients about title insurance protection and how policies safeguard ownership rights, referencing authoritative resources like the American Land Title Association’s consumer guides.

West Palm Beach Real Estate Law FAQs

Should I form an LLC for my West Palm Beach rental properties?

Creating a limited liability company for rental properties provides asset protection by separating personal wealth from investment property liabilities, which becomes especially important if tenants file injury claims or creditors pursue judgments. LLCs also simplify accounting for multiple properties and can offer tax advantages depending on your overall financial structure. We handle LLC formation, operating agreement drafting, and ongoing compliance requirements so your business entity maintains legal protections under Florida law while meeting annual reporting obligations with the Florida Division of Corporations.

What legal options exist if my seller failed to disclose property defects in West Palm Beach?

Florida law requires sellers to disclose known material defects that affect property value or safety, and buyers may have legal claims if sellers intentionally concealed or misrepresented significant issues like foundation problems, roof damage, or flood history. Your remedy depends on what the purchase contract specified, whether inspection contingencies were waived, and evidence showing the seller knew about problems before closing. We evaluate disclosure documents, inspection reports, and transaction history to determine if you have grounds for rescission, price reduction claims, or damages related to repair costs that should have been disclosed.

How do I legally enforce lease terms when tenants violate agreements in West Palm Beach?

Lease enforcement begins with reviewing your rental agreement to confirm which specific provisions the tenant breached, then following Florida Statutes Chapter 83 procedures for formal notices that give tenants opportunity to cure violations or vacate. For non-payment situations, three-day notices typically precede eviction filings, while lease violations may require seven-day cure notices depending on the breach type. We draft legally compliant notices, represent landlords through eviction proceedings if necessary, and negotiate early termination agreements when appropriate to minimize vacancy periods and legal costs.

Does escrow deposit protection require attorney involvement for West Palm Beach transactions?

Escrow disputes frequently arise over deposit release conditions, and having an attorney involved from the start prevents conflicts about who controls funds when transactions don’t close as planned. Florida regulations require specific procedures for holding and disbursing earnest money, and improper handling can result in penalties against real estate brokers or delays that tie up your funds indefinitely. We review escrow provisions in purchase contracts, mediate disputes between buyers and sellers over release conditions, and pursue legal action when parties wrongfully refuse to release deposits they’re contractually obligated to return.

What zoning issues commonly affect West Palm Beach real estate transactions?

West Palm Beach properties may have zoning restrictions affecting short-term rentals, home-based businesses, property modifications, or commercial use conversions that buyers don’t discover until after closing. Downtown properties near Clematis Street often fall under historic preservation overlays requiring special approval for exterior changes, while waterfront parcels along the Intracoastal may have environmental regulations limiting dock construction or seawall modifications. We verify current zoning designations with the City of West Palm Beach Development Services Department, research permitted uses, and identify potential restrictions before you commit to purchases that may not accommodate your intended property use.

Can I sue for breach of contract if my West Palm Beach real estate deal falls through?

Breach of contract claims depend on which party failed to meet contractual obligations, whether the contract included specific performance provisions, and what damages you suffered from the failed transaction. Buyers may have claims if sellers refuse to transfer property after accepting offers, while sellers can pursue remedies when buyers wrongfully terminate without valid contingency reasons. We analyze your purchase agreement to determine if material breaches occurred, assess available remedies including deposit forfeiture or specific performance demands, and represent clients in litigation when negotiated resolution fails to produce satisfactory outcomes.

How do easements affect property rights in West Palm Beach real estate?

Easements grant others legal rights to use portions of your property for specific purposes like utility access, drainage, or neighboring property ingress, and these restrictions remain attached to the land even when ownership changes. West Palm Beach properties may have recorded easements for city utilities, drainage to prevent flooding, or shared driveways with adjacent parcels that limit your ability to build structures or modify land use. We review title reports to identify existing easements before purchase, negotiate easement terms when creating new access agreements, and litigate disputes when neighboring property owners exceed their legal easement rights or interfere with your property use.

What happens when West Palm Beach real estate closings get delayed or cancelled?

Closing delays often result from title issues, financing problems, inspection disputes, or one party’s failure to meet contractual deadlines, and your legal options depend on which contingencies remain active and who caused the delay. Purchase contracts typically specify time-is-of-the-essence provisions or allow extensions under certain circumstances, but prolonged delays may give either party grounds to terminate and pursue damages. We review closing delay causes, determine whether contract breaches occurred, negotiate extensions when appropriate, and represent clients seeking to either enforce closing obligations or terminate agreements while protecting deposit rights and recovering transaction costs.