Florida Keys & Monroe County Attorney

The Keys run on boats, visitors, and property, and the legal questions follow. A charter passenger is hurt on a fishing trip. A rental boat collides with another vessel in the backcountry. A family that lives in Miami or out of state owns a house in Islamorada that is still titled in a parent's name. A marine business needs its contracts and liability paperwork in order. We serve Key Largo, Tavernier, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, Key West, and every key in between, with one attorney who knows your file and no need to drive the Overseas Highway for a meeting that can happen on video.

What We Handle for Florida Keys Clients

Maritime Law, Charters, and Vessel Matters

Maritime liens and vessel arrests, vessel transactions, and disputes involving charter and rental operations. Which law governs a Keys boating dispute is a real question: a collision between two pleasure boats on navigable waters can fall under federal maritime law, an injury on a dock may be ordinary premises liability, and a charter passenger's claim may run through the terms printed on a ticket or waiver. That choice affects deadlines, damages, and strategy, so it is worth answering early.

Boating and Personal Injury

Boat, jet ski, charter, and dive-trip injuries, plus car accidents on US-1 and premises injuries at hotels, rentals, and marinas. Florida requires many boating accidents to be reported to the FWC or local law enforcement, there is no PIP coverage on the water, and evidence such as GPS tracks and rental logs disappears quickly. Read how boating accident cases in South Florida and the Keys work. Free consultation and a contingency fee: no attorney's fee unless we recover, with costs explained in writing up front.

Estate Planning for Waterfront and Second Homes

Many Keys homes belong to people who live somewhere else. If you live in another state, Florida real estate titled in your own name can mean a separate Florida probate after your death, in addition to the one at home. Deeding the property into a properly funded revocable living trust is a common way to avoid that, and it is the step most plans skip. Full-time Keys residents have Florida homestead rules to plan around, which can limit how a home may be left. Flat-fee packages quoted in writing after a free consultation, with our trust funding checklist to keep the titling on track.

Business Law and Outside General Counsel

Entity formation, operating agreements, customer and vendor contracts, and the waivers, rental agreements, and charter terms that marine and hospitality businesses depend on, as flat-fee deliverables. For companies that want a lawyer on call, a flat monthly general counsel retainer with a defined scope and a clear overage rate.

Construction Liens

Building and renovating in the Keys runs on the same Chapter 713 deadlines as the mainland, and the claim of lien is recorded in Monroe County, where the property sits. Notices to Owner, claims of lien, lien contests, and lien foreclosure for contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and owners. Start with our free lien deadline calculator.

Civil and Commercial Litigation

Contract disputes, real estate and property disputes, partnership breakups, and trust and estate litigation in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, and federal claims, including admiralty matters, in the Southern District of Florida. Billed hourly with a written budget and regular updates.

Handling a Keys Matter Without the Drive

The Keys stretch a long way from Plantation, and from each other. Most of our Keys work is handled remotely: consultations by phone or video, documents reviewed on screen, and signings arranged remotely where the document allows it or in person where it does not. The Monroe County Clerk keeps offices in Key West, Marathon, and Plantation Key, and when a case needs us in a Keys courtroom or at a property, we go. Most matters start with a short phone or video consultation, free for estate planning and personal injury matters, and nothing is billed until an engagement agreement is signed by both of us. See how our fees work. Every service is also available fully in Spanish; visit the Spanish version of this page.

Communities We Serve in the Florida Keys

• Key Largo
• Tavernier and Plantation Key
• Islamorada
• Marathon
• Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys
• Key West

And every key in between. If your community is not listed, we still serve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Scheer Legal handle matters in the Florida Keys?

Yes. We serve clients throughout Monroe County, including Key Largo, Tavernier, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West, in maritime and boating matters, estate planning, business law, outside general counsel, personal injury, construction liens, and civil litigation, in English and Spanish. Our office is in Plantation, in Broward County, and we serve Keys clients by video, remote signing, and in-person meetings.

Do I have to drive to the mainland to work with you?

For most matters, no. Consultations are by phone or video, documents are reviewed electronically, and signings are arranged remotely where the document allows it or in person where it does not. When a case requires us in a Keys courtroom or at a property, we come to you.

I was hurt on a charter or rental boat in the Keys. What should I do?

Get medical care and keep the records, make sure the accident was reported, photograph the vessels, the scene, and your injuries, and save any ticket, waiver, or rental agreement. Before you give any insurer a recorded statement, talk to a lawyer who handles both boating injury cases and maritime law. The first consultation is free.

I own a vacation home in the Keys but live in another state. Do I need a Florida plan?

Often, yes. Florida real estate titled in your own name can require a separate Florida probate after your death, in addition to the one in your home state. Deeding the Keys property into a properly funded revocable trust is a common way to avoid that. We prepare the Florida side of the plan and coordinate with your attorney at home.

Which court handles Florida Keys cases?

State court cases in Monroe County are in Florida's Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, and the Monroe County Clerk has offices in Key West, Marathon, and Plantation Key. Federal cases, including admiralty claims, are in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Also serving Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. See all service areas.