[LADY J]

"I'm pretty dense, so I only partly understand what you're saying...LOL. Why would a person running a legitimate business want to file for a fictitious (I think I got it right this time)name?"

Sorry I was not clear. The legitimate business is required to be advertised and made public under the name that will be displayed. Example would be 'Sunshine Restaurant' - the owner being Joe Smith.

Joe Smith is not the same as Sunshine Restaurant - so he would have to advertise to the public that he - Joe Smith is going to use the alias of Sunshine Restaurant to do business. This publication is required ahead of opening the business.

If I'm in error - I'm sure someone will correct my understanding of this Florida law.

[nicmarlo]

Apparently the law changed in 2001; see my post #1254

[Krodg]

Joe Smith is not the same as Sunshine Restaurant - so he would have to advertise to the public that he - Joe Smith is going to use the alias of Sunshine Restaurant to do business. This publication is required ahead of opening the business.

Okay...Michael Schiavo is not the same as Jergers & Centonze. He is not JERGER or CENTONZE so he should file for a fictitious name?