Legal advice for members of the Florida Association of Realtors® is just a phone call away at 407.438.1409.
 
FAR Legal Hotline attorneys answer questions about real estate license law and related real property issues. Attorneys also offer legal interpretations of the FAR and FAR/BAR standard business forms and contracts.

What You Need: Your personal Florida real estate license number (you may not use your corporation number or the number of any other licensee). If you are asking a question about a specific transaction, be prepared with all the documentation available.

Who May Use This Service?

• Current members of the Florida Association of Realtors®. If your license number does not appear in our computer system, you will not be able to speak with an attorney.
• Local board/association attorneys, executive officers and staff.
• Private attorneys who represent a current member as long as the member is also on the line for the call.

Cost: As an FAR member service, there is no charge to access the Legal Hotline. If you are calling from outside the 407 area code, you may incur a long-distance telephone charge.

FAQs:  

Q: I’m a new Realtor®, and I’m guessing that my questions are asked frequently. Is there another option for me instead of calling the FAR Legal Hotline?  
A: Yes. Check out these legal FAQs in the “Ask an Attorney”  section of floridarealtors.org. Legal hotline attorneys have compiled more than 100 questions and answers in these categories: 

• Advertising
• Broker Business
• Brokerage Disclosure
• Code of Ethics
• Commercial Lien
• Commissions
• Complaints
• Condominium
• Contracts
• Disclosure
• Escrow
• Fair Housing
• Federal Law
• Landlord/Tenant
• License Law

Q: How are FAR Legal Hotline calls processed?
A: Calls are taken in the order they are received. You may have to wait “in line” for your call to be answered.  Last year, the Legal Hotline handled more than 30,000 calls!

Q: My seller/buyer has asked me a legal question. Can I ask the FAR Legal Hotline attorney for the answer?
A: No. The advice given on the FAR Legal Hotline is intended only for use by the individual FAR member. Parties to a transaction who have a specific question about their legal rights should consult their own attorney.

Q: An agent with whom I am having a commission dispute called the FAR Legal Hotline to ask for advice about the dispute. Can I also call the FAR Legal Hotline for advice on the same dispute?
A: No. The rules of the Florida Bar prohibit the FAR Legal Hotline attorneys from counseling more than one side of a dispute.

Q: I called the FAR Legal Hotline and received an answer to my question. Can I get the answer in writing?
A: Yes. However, you must first send the question, including all appropriate facts, in writing. Put your real estate license number on the correspondence and send the question to:
Florida Association of Realtors®
Attn: Legal Hotline
P.O. Box 725025
Orlando, FL 32872-5025
You can also fax your question to the “FAR Legal Hotline” at 407.438.1411.

Q: Is the FAR Legal Hotline a substitute for private counsel?
A: No. Members who require representation in lawsuits, the drafting of specific language or documents or resolution of problems going beyond the scope of real estate law should consult their own attorney.