My father and I care Chiropractors and we share an office (I also have my own office). My legal doing business as name is the name our current rental lease is made out to and it was signed by my father who has nothing to do with my business. Is this lease considered invalid if I did not sign the lease and it is in the name of my legal business? The landlord assumed that we are associates in this practice location, but my father does business under his name.
Without reviewing the facts and lease agreement, it is difficult to give you any answer. In general, I would say that your father is liable on the lease. Doing business under a fictitious name does not limit your liability. The landlord would probably state that he leased the property to your father and that your father said that it was his business. You should seek legal representation to deal with the landlord and negotiate a resolution of this claim.
Donald Scher
Donald T. Scher & Associates, P.C.
2200 E. Camelback Rd., #102
Phoenix, AZ 85255