Florida broker-held escrow disputes have 15- and 30-business-day clocks
When a Florida broker holds a disputed real estate deposit, the broker has state notice and settlement-procedure duties that do not apply the same way to attorney- or title-company-held escrow.
First find out who holds the deposit. Florida has one process for money held by a real estate broker. Money held by a lawyer or title company does not follow that process in the same way.
If a broker gets rival demands for the money, or has a fair doubt about who should receive it, two clocks begin. The broker must tell the Florida Real Estate Commission within 15 business days. Within 30 business days, the broker must start an approved way to settle the dispute.
The broker may ask the Commission for an escrow order. With the needed consent, the parties may use arbitration or mediation. The broker may also go to court or file an interpleader case. If mediation does not work within 90 days after the last demand, the broker must use another path.
Those clocks govern the broker. They do not mean a buyer or seller wins the deposit when a clock runs out. Florida also has narrow exceptions for some condo cancellations and some failed loan clauses.
Keep the contract, deposit receipt, dated demands, and all cancel, inspection, and loan notices. Ask the holder which process has begun. When a contract date is close, legal advice can help because the dispute process does not rewrite the contract.
Official sources
- Florida Statutes - Broker Escrow Disputes
- Florida Administrative Code - Rule 61J2-10.032
- DBPR - Real Estate Commission Forms
Last checked against these sources: July 31, 2026.
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