The Florida Bar Ethics Department has written more than a dozen advisory opinions on trust accounts:

• Charging fees and expenses from two cases against settlement received in one case 62-15
• Checks identifying lawyer as lawyer 65-14
• Costs advances from client placed in trust account 93-2
• Disclosing possession of client’s funds to client’s creditors 60-34
• Disclosing trust account records to third parties 72-3, 93-5, 12-4
• Disputed funds held in trust 02-4, 02-6
• Fees, which to place in trust accounts 93-2
• Funds held for a “specific purpose” 82-2, 87-12
• IRS demands records 72-3
• Keeping client funds in several accounts to ensure complete FDIC coverage 72-37
• Nonlawyer employee as a signatory 64-40, 64-40 (Rec)
• Nonrefundable retainer 93-2
• Payment Apps 21-2
• Placing client funds in interest-bearing deposits with interest going to law firm 72-13
• Settlement proceeds deposited directly info account in client’s name 00-2, 00-2 (Rec)
• Title insurance company requests agent’s records for audit 93-5, 12-4
• Writ of garnishment served on attorney 66-78

Please note that ethics advisory opinions are not binding. Call the Ethics Hotline at 800-235-8619 if you have questions about any of these opinions.

See also: Billing for Professional Fees, Disbursements and Other Expenses, ABA Ethics Formal Opinion 93-379

VIEWS AND CONCLUSIONS EXPRESSED IN ARTICLES HEREIN ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF FLORIDA BAR STAFF, OFFICIALS, OR BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FLORIDA BAR.