Trust FundsIntermediateAlabama Exam

A buyer and seller disagree about who is entitled to the earnest money after a contract falls through. What should the Alabama broker do?

AGive the money to the seller automatically
BGive the money to the buyer automatically
CContinue to hold the funds until the parties agree or a court orders disbursementCorrect
DReturn the funds to their own operating account, as is typical in most transactions

Why Continue to hold the funds until the parties agree or a court orders disbursement Is Correct

Answer C: Continue to hold the funds until the parties agree or a court orders disbursement

When there is a dispute over earnest money, the broker should continue to hold the funds in trust until the parties reach agreement or a court orders disbursement. The broker should not unilaterally decide who gets the money.

Exam Tip: Trust Funds

Trust fund questions test the rules for handling client money. Know the deadlines for depositing trust funds, what constitutes commingling vs. conversion, and the penalties for violations.

Key Trust Funds Terms in This Question

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