Florida’s Banking Statutes of Frauds was enacted in order to curb a 1980s trend of increasing lender liability lawsuits. The enactment of this statute makes it difficult for plaintiffs to maintain tort-based claims that might otherwise flow from the written loan documents. Typically, such claims involve oral promises pertaining to […]
This article provides a high level overview of the The Fair Credit Reporting Act, including its statutory authority and the goals of the Act. The article examines what steps a furnisher of information, like a bank, credit union, or credit card company, should take when it receives a dispute. Finally, […]
Often, an entire household is dependent upon the wages earned by a single head-of-household. To protect the financial well-being of these dependents, the Florida legislature has exempted some of these wages from wage garnishment. However, Florida courts have struggled to consistently apply the exemption. The greatest issue has been whether […]
On occasion a lender is confronted with a complicated question of whether it can lend based on collateral in the form of its own stock. Unfortunately, this is not legally acceptable collateral, as neither a national, nor a local Florida bank may issue a loan and secure that loan with […]
Whether purchasing a business, a piece of real property, or even a car, there is likely a lengthy contract that goes along with that purchase. Many of those contracts contain “as-is” or “no warranty” provisions. These types of provisions may also include language that the seller of the property is […]
Almost everyone, regardless of whether they have ever leased out or rented a commercial space, is generally aware of each party’s duties under a commercial tenant lease agreement. The landlord allows the tenant to use his building, in exchange for the tenant making rental payments. But, most people, even experienced […]
Selling your business is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The reasons for selling your business can vary. It can be a well planned event culminating decades of hard work, it can occur quickly due to an offer that can’t be refused, or it can be […]
As the economy remains hot and the lending environment remains competitive, many OCC regulated banks will turn to loan participation transactions in order to turn a profit. Often these transactions are made in a bit of a vacuum with the participating/purchasing bank(s) relying on the diligence and underwriting of the […]
When OSHA issues a citation to employers for a workplace safety violation, the citation lists a proposed penalty. Much like a speeding ticket, the employer is not required to pay the penalty immediately and can contest the citation on a number of grounds. The decision to pay the citation or […]
On January 2, 2019, Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers started the new year off by invalidating the 2017 law regulating medical marijuana in Florida. Judge Gievers ruled the implementing law conflicts with the state constitution and the will of the people that voted to approve Amendment 2 in 2016. Judge […]