Florida Construction Law

The Court in Rodriguez-Faro v. M. Escarda Contractor, Inc .,  2011 WL 4467385 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011), held that on an equitable lien claim, the submittal of a contractor's affidavit was insufficient to prove the amount of unliquidated damages and required an evidentiary hearing.   Trenton H. Cotney Board Certified in Construction Law Trent Cotney, P.A. 1207 N Franklin St, Ste 222 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 579-3278 www.trentcotney.com

An equitable lien claim cannot be sought against a county or government entity.  Pavex  Corp. v. Broward County , 498 So.2d 1317 (Fla. 1986).   Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Lawyer Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. 100 S Ashley Dr., Suite 1300 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 229-3333 http://www.glennrasmussen.com

In Jackson-Jester v. Aziz , 48 So.3d 88 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010), the Court found that a genuine issue of material fact existed with regard to whether owner knew that it would be inequitable for owners to retain benefit conferred by purchaser, and therefore, denied a summary judgment against an equitable lien claim.   Trenton H. Cotney Board Certified in Construction Law Trent Cotney, P.A. 1207 N Franklin St, Ste 222 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 579-3278 www.trentcotney.com

In CTX Mortgage Co., LLC v. Advantage Builders of America, Inc ., 47 So.3d 844 (Fla. 2d DCA), the Court held that a lender was not enriched by undisbursed proceeds because it suffered damages in the form of a diminished security interest.  Accordingly, the contractor was unable to prove that the lender's retention of the funds were inequitable. Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified in Construction Law Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. 100 S. Ashley Dr., Suite 1300 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 229-3333 http://www.glennrasmussen.com