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Florida Banking Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Banking, Consumer Law and Contracts for Florida on
Q: Can I sue a Miami car dealership and bank for fraud related to a car purchase?

I would like to know if I can sue a bank and a car dealership for fraud. My wife and I purchased a used car at a dealership in Miami, FL on February 15, 2025, and encountered several issues: my last name was spelled incorrectly on the documents; the down payment was recorded as $4,200, despite us... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Apr 3, 2025

You should take your documents to a lawyer right away. We do not have any way of reviewing your purchase agreement and contracts in this forum.

Most used car sales are "as is" and it's up to the buyer to have the car inspected prior to purchase irrespective of what the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Real Estate Law and Consumer Law for Florida on
Q: Can a lender change lien position without owner's authorization in Florida?

I have a Home Equity Installment (HEI) that was in the first lien position on my property. Recently, I discovered through emails that my mortgage lender instructed my homeowner's insurance agent to change their position to first lien without notifying me or the HEI company. No Subordination... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 17, 2025

Whichever lender filed their security instrument first has priority unless there is an executed subordination agreement recorded. Hire a FL to search the title and determine your title's exact status. Such a so called "HEI" mortgage is almost always second or third in priority, as... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Banking for Florida on
Q: Fired from banking job for alleged phone recording, considering lawsuit. Legal options?

I was recently fired from my banking job for allegedly recording with my cellphone, which I was not doing. I adjusted camera settings during a break in a secluded room with no company equipment. There was no prior warning, and I wasn't shown any evidence supporting the claim of recording. The... View More

Mitchell Feldman
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Mitchell Feldman
answered on Feb 20, 2025

As Florida is an employment at will state, these facts do not show any potential violation of a law or your legal rights by this employer terminating your employment. It makes no difference whether the company was wrong, or the decision is not fair. But your initial instinct is the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Tax Law, Banking and Probate for Florida on
Q: FL judge determined I am heir to my dad's estate.Exempt from FL taxes.I live in MN.When I sell his house do I pay tax?

Am also wondering when I sell his house & car, do the funds go into estate account? Or because judge put everything into my name personally, & not "the estate of XYZ", does that mean funds go into my personal bank account. Am so confused, as am so used estate stuff being kept... View More

Marc J. Soss
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Marc J. Soss
answered on Jan 22, 2025

The house needs to be valued at its date of death value. If you sell the house for more than that amount you would be subject to taxes. But only if the net sales price is more than the appraised value.

If the Judge put everything in your name then nothing needs to go into an estate account.

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Banking for Florida on
Q: I have received threatening emails from "debt collectors" for loans I have no record of taking out

These so called attorney's for a debt collectors have sent me emails threatening legal action of a court summons and/or having me arrested. However, when I ask for proof of the loan they say I took out, they have refused to provide me any information. Their only means of contact is email,... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Sep 6, 2024

You are correct to be cautious and suspicious. Usually this type of written collection communication is by regular mail, not email - or possibly regular mail plus email, but not email alone. The written communication usually gives the debtor a deadline to write back to dispute the debt, and the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Business Law and Consumer Law for Florida on
Q: Can a company issue a refund for a disputed charge and then after the refund is received, make a new charge for it?

I received a refund for a disputed charge and then without warning or them contacting me in anyway, they posted a new charge for that amount. Keep in mind I waited a few months before I touched the refund, I was worried that it was just a provisional amount so I waited their processing time, and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 21, 2024

It is generally not appropriate for a company to issue a refund for a disputed charge and then make a new charge for the same amount without prior notice or agreement from the customer. This practice could be seen as deceptive and may violate consumer protection laws.

However, there are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Banking for Florida on
Q: Q: Can a Credit Union drain account to pay for credit card immediately after death?

I am a joint owner on my mother's checking account. After her death the credit union automatically transferred all of the money from the checking account to pay off her credit card (also from credit union). The credit card was in her name only and I am not a co-signer on the credit card. I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 21, 2024

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a difficult and stressful situation to navigate while grieving.

From a legal perspective, the credit union's actions seem questionable. Generally, when someone passes away, their estate goes through the probate process to settle debts and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Business Law for Florida on
Q: Business partner removing owner from bank account without permission.Whose is responsible ?

Wife of manager shows up at bank with affidavit ( husband terminally ill ) and manage to remove majority owner from account without owner’s consent. Owner cannot access funds. Who is responsible ?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 21, 2024

In this situation, there are potentially several parties who may be held responsible:

1. The wife of the manager: If she falsely represented herself as having the authority to remove the majority owner from the account without proper consent or legal grounds, she could be held liable for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Elder Law for Florida on
Q: My Aunt recently passed away and in her older years my mom’s name was on her bank. My aunt took out a forced loan

My mom was not aware of this loan nor was she in the loan. Is she still responsible for the amount owed?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2024

In this situation, your mom's responsibility for the forced loan would depend on the specific circumstances surrounding it. If your mom's name was simply on the bank account for administrative purposes or as a joint account holder, it doesn't necessarily mean she's automatically... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Banking for Florida on
Q: My girlfriend has been offered a job but it seems like a scam.

My girlfriend has been offered a job but it seems like a scam. They sent over a check for her to buy some equipment so we’ve deposited it but now the employer seems very sketchy. She has not filled out any formal agreements or given any important personal info. They are asking her to buy 2 Apple... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

It's concerning that your girlfriend received a job offer that seems suspicious. Depositing a check and being asked to purchase equipment or vouchers for work is a common tactic used in scams. It's wise that she hasn't provided any personal information or signed formal agreements... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: during my loan transfer I got a collection agency sent to my door when I wasn’t even late on my payment.

I think my my mortgage company is not acting legally. I was transferred this year and I was never late on a payment. During the transfer period my previous mortgage company never sent me the info that I was being transferred. This being the case I delayed my payment until I got confirmation from... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 5, 2024

Based on the facts you have described here, it does seem there could be some concerning practices by your mortgage company and the collection agency they sent. A few key points:

- Under Florida law, mortgage lenders cannot initiate foreclosure proceedings until a mortgage is over 90 days...
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1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Business Law for Florida on
Q: Are there any specific laws in Florida regarding a bank needing access to the full trust when applying for a loan?

I have applied for a business line of credit with Truist Bank. I applied for a line of credit and put a property up as collateral. They are asking for a full copy of the trust. What can I do?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 5, 2024

Here are a few key things to know about banks asking for trust documents when applying for a loan in Florida:

- Banks typically have a right to request details of a trust when that trust owns the asset being used as collateral on a loan. However, they generally cannot require the full trust...
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2 Answers | Asked in Banking for Florida on
Q: Subpoenas served to 2 banks. Timeframe to get the paperwork back. Asked for 2 years of bank statements?

Does the subpoena paperwork belong to me since I paid for them? So if this attorney leaves this case, do I get the paperwork sent to the new attorney or do I have to start over?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

Typically, the timeframe to receive the requested bank statements depends on various factors, including the banks' processing times and any legal requirements. It's common for banks to take a few weeks to fulfill a subpoena request for bank statements. However, the specific timeframe can... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Social Security and Banking for Florida on
Q: can a bank keep my social security EFT deposit to offset a cashiers check that bounced ?

cashiers check was payment for item I sold - I deposited the check in my checking acoount and after 5days I withdrew the amount which was more than my social security amount .....then bank cancelled my account

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 30, 2024

In the United States, banks have certain rights to offset debts with funds in your account, but there are specific rules about what types of deposits can be used. Social Security benefits are generally protected from garnishment, except in cases of child support, alimony, or unpaid federal taxes.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Banking, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I had a settlement claim the bank let me deposit it and said it was ok then refused to give it back to me

It was supposed to be made out too separate checks me and the child support division but instead made one check co payable to both i deposited it after asking about it the teller said no problem and they released 200 to me and said it would be released the next day instead they froze my account and... View More

Angelo "Tony" Marino Jr.
Angelo "Tony" Marino Jr.
answered on Jan 20, 2024

Based on your narrative, it is difficult to know exactly what happened and what the check was for. This money seems to come from some domestic matter in Oregon. I suggest you talk to your divorce lawyer or see one to determine what the law is when a check is sent for apparently child support and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Communications Law and Banking for Florida on
Q: Can I record a phone call w/ customer rep if I receive a notice that "This call will be monitored and recorded"?

I live in Florida. Can I record the phone conversation with multiple customer service representatives (within the same single call) of a large bank, if prior to speaking with customer service I receive a notice that "This call will be monitored and recorded"? A representative lied about... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 15, 2023

In Florida, the law concerning the recording of phone calls requires the consent of all parties involved in the conversation. This is known as a "two-party consent" law. However, if you receive a notice that a call will be monitored and recorded, this typically implies that the other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Banking for Florida on
Q: How can I retrieve $4,350 taken from my account by Cash App?

Cash App took $4,350 from my account and won't return it. I contacted the FBI but haven't filed an official claim with Cash App. What steps should I take to retrieve my money?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

That’s a significant amount of money to lose, and it’s important to act quickly. The first thing you need to do is file an **official dispute or claim directly through Cash App**. You can do this through the app by selecting the transaction, tapping “Need Help & Cash App Support,” and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: Can a beneficiary take legal action for unauthorized handling of IRA account in Florida?

As the beneficiary of an IRA account with Bank of America and Merrill Lynch, I have experienced unauthorized handling of the account. Despite giving written instructions to a Merrill Lynch representative to maintain the IRA, it was closed at maturity (120 months), and funds were transferred without... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

Yes, as a beneficiary, you may have the right to take legal action if the handling of the IRA account was unauthorized. If you have documented evidence that the account was closed and funds transferred without your consent or instructions, you may have grounds to file a legal claim. The first step... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Contracts and Consumer Law for Florida on
Q: Can Suncoast Credit Union use Right of Setoff to deduct from my account without notice after repossession?

I have an auto loan with Suncoast Credit Union and recently did a voluntary repossession because the car's transmission was broken. They sold the car and applied the sale proceeds to the car loan. However, I noticed that they recently took a payment from my account without notifying me. When I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

When a financial institution like Suncoast Credit Union has a "Right of Setoff," it means they can use funds from your accounts with them to cover any outstanding debts you owe. This right typically applies if you have a loan, like an auto loan, and your account holds a balance with them.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Banking for Florida on
Q: Do delinquent accounts affect MLO license approval in Florida?

I am applying for a Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) license in Florida and have come across Rule 69V-40.0113, Florida Administrative Code, regarding license approval. I have some charge-offs and delinquent accounts. Will it be required that these accounts are paid off or be in a payment plan... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 24, 2025

In Florida, financial responsibility is indeed a key factor in determining MLO license approval. Your delinquent accounts and charge-offs may be considered "adverse credit history information" under Rule 69V-40.0113, which regulators use to evaluate your financial responsibility when... View More

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