Community Update – October 2026
October brings the return of seasonal residents and a busy season ahead for Florida communities. This issue of CUP offers practical guidance for navigating the months ahead, from electronic voting and association credit card rules to recall forms and tips for Florida’s snowbirds. We also feature a complimentary webinar focused on becoming a more informed and empowered investor. Explore leadership, communication, and resilience in Take It To The Board, plus, discover Resilience: Essays by Women in Law, a collection of personal essays by women attorneys and professionals across Becker. Read Donna DiMaggio Berger’s reflections on perseverance and purpose in The National Jurist and enjoy highlights from Becker’s book launch celebration.
A tie vote in a condominium board election can leave more than a seat undecided. When the result affects who will serve or the length of a candidate’s term, associations must carefully navigate the next steps. Mary R. Hawk explains the run-off election process, required notices and deadlines, and considerations for alternative approaches in “What To Do In A Condominium Election When There Is A Tie Vote.”
Committees can help community associations engage residents, share the workload, and bring valuable knowledge to board decisions. Clearly defining their roles and authority is essential to avoiding confusion and disputes. Jonathan R. Zim outlines how boards can establish and effectively use committees in “Beyond the Board: How Committees Strengthen Community Governance.”
Michelle H. Kaiser explains four common types of court filings, including pleadings, motions, discovery-related filings, and notices and other procedural filings. Learn what these documents mean and the role they play in a lawsuit in this practical video, “4 Common Types of Court Filings.”
Whether future amendments to the Condominium Act apply to an association can depend on the language in its declaration. The phrase “as amended from time to time,” commonly known as “Kaufman language,” can incorporate future statutory changes into the governing documents. In “THIS CASE: Kaufman v. Shere,” Yeline Goin examines the decision behind this language and why associations should consult legal counsel when considering whether to add it to their declarations.
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