ESCROW AND INDEMNITY HOLDBACK TERMS

Jurisdiction: State of Florida

Prepared for Transaction Between:

PART I: OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

1.1 Purpose of Escrow and Holdback

These Escrow and Indemnity Holdback Terms ("Holdback Terms") establish the terms and conditions under which a portion of the Purchase Price paid in connection with the transaction contemplated by the [Stock/Asset] Purchase Agreement dated [__/__/____] (the "Purchase Agreement") shall be held in escrow or retained as a holdback to secure the indemnification obligations of the Seller to the Buyer as set forth in Article [____] of the Purchase Agreement.

1.2 Definitions

Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in these Holdback Terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement. For purposes of these Holdback Terms:

1.3 Typical Escrow Structures in Florida M&A Transactions

The following escrow structures are commonly used in Florida-based transactions:

• General Indemnity Escrow: [5-15]% of Purchase Price held for [12-24] months to cover breaches of general representations and warranties
• Working Capital Adjustment Escrow: Separate escrow of $[________] or [____]% to backstop post-closing true-up; typically [90-180] day term
• Specific Indemnity Escrow: Tailored escrow for identified risks (tax, litigation, environmental, regulatory); amount and duration matched to specific risk
• Holdback (Non-Escrow): Portion of Purchase Price retained by Buyer (not deposited with third-party escrow agent) as additional indemnification security
• Seller Note with Setoff: Seller financing with contractual right of offset for finally determined indemnification claims

[DRAFTING NOTE: Florida does not have a standalone commercial escrow licensing statute comparable to California or Arizona. For M&A transactions, banks, trust companies, and attorneys are the most common escrow agents. If a real estate broker holds escrow funds, Fla. Stat. Ch. 475 applies.]

PART II: ESCROW AGREEMENT TERMS

2.1 Escrow Amount

(a) General Indemnity Escrow. At Closing, Buyer shall deposit (or cause to be deposited) the Aggregate Escrow Amount of $[________________________________] into the Escrow Account by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

(b) Working Capital Adjustment Escrow (if applicable).

☐ A separate working capital escrow in the amount of $[________________________________] shall be deposited into a separate Escrow Account (the "WC Escrow Account") at Closing.

☐ Not applicable to this transaction.

(c) Specific Indemnity Escrow (if applicable).

☐ A specific indemnity escrow in the amount of $[________________________________] shall be deposited into a separate Escrow Account (the "Specific Escrow Account") at Closing to address the following identified risk(s): [________________________________].

☐ Not applicable to this transaction.

2.2 Escrow Agent

(a) Appointment. The parties hereby appoint [________________________________] as Escrow Agent to hold, invest, and disburse the Escrow Amount in accordance with these Holdback Terms and the Escrow Agreement.

(b) Qualification. The Escrow Agent shall be one of the following:

☐ National Banking Association: A national banking association with trust powers.

☐ Florida State-Chartered Bank or Trust Company: A bank or trust company chartered under Florida law and authorized to conduct trust business (regulated under Fla. Stat. Ch. 658 and Ch. 660).

☐ Florida Bar Attorney: A member of The Florida Bar holding funds in an attorney trust account in compliance with Florida Bar Rule 5-1.1 (Trust Accounts).

☐ Licensed Title Insurance Company or Agent: A Florida-licensed title insurance company or agent (regulated under Fla. Stat. Ch. 626, Part IX).

☐ Licensed Real Estate Broker: A Florida-licensed real estate broker, subject to escrow account requirements under Fla. Stat. § 475.25 (applicable primarily for real property components).

☐ Other FDIC-Insured Financial Institution: [________________________________].

(c) Escrow Agreement. The parties and the Escrow Agent shall enter into a separate Escrow Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit [____] to the Purchase Agreement (the "Escrow Agreement"), which shall govern the duties and obligations of the Escrow Agent.

2.3 Escrow Period

(a) General Indemnity Escrow Period. The Escrow Period shall commence on the Closing Date and shall expire on the date that is [____] months after the Closing Date (the "Escrow Expiration Date"), unless extended with respect to Pending Claims as provided in Section 6.3.

(b) Working Capital Escrow Period. If a Working Capital Adjustment Escrow is established, the WC Escrow Period shall expire on the date that is [____] days after the Closing Date, or upon the final determination of the Closing Working Capital in accordance with Section [____] of the Purchase Agreement, whichever occurs later.

(c) Specific Indemnity Escrow Period. If a Specific Indemnity Escrow is established, the Specific Escrow Period shall expire on the date that is [____] months after the Closing Date or upon final resolution of the identified risk(s), whichever occurs later.

2.4 Release Conditions

The Escrow Amount (or any portion thereof) shall be released from the Escrow Account only upon:

(a) Joint Written Instruction from Buyer and Seller;

(b) A final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction directing disbursement;

(c) An arbitration award rendered in accordance with Section [____] hereof, if applicable;

(d) The scheduled release dates set forth in Part VI hereof, subject to retention for Pending Claims; or

(e) As otherwise provided in these Holdback Terms or the Escrow Agreement.

PART III: INDEMNITY HOLDBACK TERMS

3.1 Holdback Amount

(a) At Closing, Buyer shall retain from the Purchase Price otherwise payable to Seller the Holdback Amount of $[________________________________] (representing [____]% of the Purchase Price).

(b) The Holdback Amount shall be held by Buyer in [a segregated account / Buyer's general funds] and shall serve as security for Seller's indemnification obligations under Article [____] of the Purchase Agreement.

3.2 Holdback Period

(a) General Holdback Period. The Holdback Period shall commence on the Closing Date and shall expire on the date that is [____] months after the Closing Date (the "Holdback Expiration Date").

(b) Extended Holdback Period for Fundamental Representations. With respect to claims arising from breaches of Fundamental Representations, the Holdback Period shall extend until the date that is [____] months after the Closing Date, or the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations plus [____] days, whichever is longer.

(c) Extended Holdback Period for Tax Matters. With respect to tax indemnification claims, the Holdback Period shall extend until [____] days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for the assessment of the relevant tax (including any extensions thereof).

(d) Florida Statute of Limitations Considerations. The general statute of limitations for breach of a written contract in Florida is five (5) years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)(b)). For fraud, the limitations period is four (4) years from discovery (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(j)). For breach of an oral contract, the period is four (4) years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(k)). The Survival Period and Holdback Period should be calibrated accordingly.

3.3 Holdback Claim Procedures

(a) Notice. Buyer shall deliver a Claim Notice to Seller specifying in reasonable detail:

• (i) The nature and basis of the claim;
• (ii) The specific representations, warranties, or covenants alleged to have been breached;
• (iii) The estimated amount of Losses (if then determinable); and
• (iv) The factual basis for the claim.

(b) Response Period. Seller shall have [____] Business Days after receipt of a Claim Notice to deliver a written response to Buyer indicating whether Seller disputes the claim in whole or in part.

(c) Undisputed Claims. If Seller does not timely dispute a claim (or the undisputed portion thereof), Buyer may apply the applicable portion of the Holdback Amount to satisfy such claim.

(d) Disputed Claims. If Seller timely disputes a claim, the disputed amount shall remain subject to the Holdback until the claim is Finally Resolved.

3.4 Baskets, Caps, and Limitations

(a) Basket (Deductible/Tipping).

☐ Deductible Basket: The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for Losses until the aggregate amount of all Losses exceeds $[________________________________] (the "Basket Amount"), and then only for the amount in excess of the Basket Amount.

☐ Tipping Basket (First-Dollar): The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for Losses until the aggregate amount of all Losses exceeds the Basket Amount, at which point the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for all Losses from the first dollar.

☐ Mini-Basket: Individual claims below $[________________________________] shall not count toward the Basket Amount.

(b) Cap on Liability.

• General Representations: Losses capped at $[________________________________] or [____]% of Purchase Price.
• Fundamental Representations: Losses capped at $[________________________________] or [____]% of Purchase Price (typically 100%).
• Special Indemnities: Losses capped at $[________________________________] or as separately negotiated.

(c) Materiality Scrape.

☐ Materiality qualifiers in representations and warranties shall be disregarded for purposes of determining whether a breach has occurred ("qualification scrape").

☐ Materiality qualifiers shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating the amount of Losses ("indemnity scrape").

☐ Materiality qualifiers shall apply for all purposes (no scrape).

3.5 Setoff Mechanics

(a) Setoff Against Escrow. Buyer's primary recourse for indemnification claims shall be against the Escrow Amount.

(b) Setoff Against Holdback. After exhaustion of the Escrow Amount (or if no Escrow is established), Buyer may setoff Finally Resolved indemnification claims against the Holdback Amount.

(c) Setoff Against Other Amounts (if applicable).

☐ Buyer may setoff Finally Resolved claims against unpaid Purchase Price installments.
☐ Buyer may setoff Finally Resolved claims against earnout payments, subject to [________________________________].
☐ Setoff against earnout limited to [____]% of any individual earnout payment.
☐ No setoff against amounts other than Escrow and Holdback.

3.6 Representations and Warranty Insurance (RWI) Interplay

(if applicable)

☐ RWI Policy in Place. A representations and warranty insurance policy has been obtained by [Buyer/Seller] (the "RWI Policy").

• The indemnity cap for general representations shall be reduced to $[________________________________] (the RWI retention amount).
• The Escrow Amount shall be sized at $[________________________________] to cover the RWI retention.
• Claim procedures shall comply with the RWI Policy's notice and cooperation requirements.
• Buyer shall not take any action that would prejudice the insurer's rights under the RWI Policy.
• The Survival Period for general representations shall match the RWI Policy period of [____] years.

☐ No RWI Policy. Not applicable.

PART IV: CLAIMS PROCESS

4.1 Notice of Claim

(a) Direct Claims. An Indemnified Party seeking indemnification for a Direct Claim (a claim that does not involve a Third-Party Claim) shall deliver a Claim Notice to the Indemnifying Party and the Escrow Agent, specifying:

• (i) The factual basis for the claim in reasonable detail;
• (ii) The sections of the Purchase Agreement alleged to have been breached;
• (iii) The estimated amount of Losses, to the extent then reasonably determinable; and
• (iv) Supporting documentation, to the extent reasonably available.

(b) Third-Party Claims. If an Indemnified Party receives notice of a claim or action by a third party that may give rise to an indemnification claim, the Indemnified Party shall:

• (i) Deliver a Claim Notice to the Indemnifying Party within [____] Business Days of receiving notice of such third-party claim;
• (ii) Provide copies of all material documents relating to the third-party claim; and
• (iii) Permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of such third-party claim, subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.4 below.

(c) Failure to Give Timely Notice. The failure of an Indemnified Party to deliver a timely Claim Notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually and materially prejudiced by such failure.

4.2 Response Period

(a) The Indemnifying Party shall have [____] Business Days (the "Response Period") after receipt of a Claim Notice to deliver a written response (the "Claim Response") to the Indemnified Party and the Escrow Agent.

(b) The Claim Response shall state whether the Indemnifying Party:

• (i) Accepts the claim in full;
• (ii) Accepts the claim in part and disputes the remainder (specifying the disputed amount and basis for dispute); or
• (iii) Disputes the claim in full (specifying the basis for dispute in reasonable detail).

(c) If the Indemnifying Party fails to deliver a timely Claim Response, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have:

☐ Accepted the claim in full.
☐ Disputed the claim in full.
☐ [Other: ________________________________].

4.3 Dispute Resolution

If the Indemnifying Party disputes a claim in whole or in part, the parties shall attempt to resolve the dispute as follows:

(a) Negotiation. The parties shall negotiate in good faith for a period of [____] Business Days following delivery of the Claim Response.

(b) Mediation (if applicable).

☐ If negotiation is unsuccessful, the parties shall submit the dispute to non-binding mediation administered by [________________________________] in [________________________________], Florida.

☐ Not applicable.

(c) Arbitration (if applicable).

☐ If mediation is unsuccessful (or not elected), the dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration administered by [the American Arbitration Association (AAA) / JAMS / other: ________________________________] in accordance with its [Commercial Arbitration Rules / other: ________________________________]. The arbitration shall be conducted in [________________________________], Florida, before [one / three] arbitrator(s).

☐ Not applicable.

(d) Litigation. If arbitration is not elected, the parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the [Circuit Court of [________________________________] County, Florida / United States District Court for the [Northern / Middle / Southern] District of Florida], and waive any objection to venue or personal jurisdiction therein.

[DRAFTING NOTE: Florida has three federal judicial districts: Northern (Tallahassee, Pensacola), Middle (Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville), and Southern (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach). The Southern District is the most common venue for complex M&A disputes. Miami-Dade County Circuit Court also handles significant commercial litigation.]

4.4 Defense of Third-Party Claims

(a) Assumption of Defense. The Indemnifying Party may assume the defense of a third-party claim by delivering written notice to the Indemnified Party within [____] Business Days of receiving the Claim Notice.

(b) Conditions to Assumption. The Indemnifying Party may assume the defense only if:

• (i) The Indemnifying Party acknowledges in writing its obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Party with respect to such claim (subject to any applicable limitations);
• (ii) The third-party claim seeks only monetary damages and does not seek an injunction or other equitable relief against the Indemnified Party;
• (iii) There is no conflict of interest that would make separate representation advisable; and
• (iv) The Indemnifying Party selects counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party.

(c) Settlement. The Indemnifying Party may not settle a third-party claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed) unless the settlement:

• (i) Involves only the payment of money;
• (ii) Does not involve any admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Indemnified Party;
• (iii) Includes a complete release of the Indemnified Party; and
• (iv) Does not impose any restriction on the Indemnified Party's business.

4.5 Partial Releases During Escrow Period

(a) Scheduled Partial Releases. The parties may agree to the following partial release schedule:

☐ [____]% of the Escrow Amount released on the [____]-month anniversary of the Closing Date, less Pending Claims.
☐ [____]% of the Escrow Amount released on the [____]-month anniversary of the Closing Date, less Pending Claims.
☐ Remaining balance released on the Escrow Expiration Date, less Pending Claims.

(b) Early Release by Agreement. The parties may agree to an early release of all or a portion of the Escrow Amount by Joint Written Instruction at any time.

PART V: ESCROW AGENT PROVISIONS

5.1 Duties of Escrow Agent

(a) The Escrow Agent shall hold, safeguard, and disburse the Escrow Amount solely in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and these Holdback Terms.

(b) The Escrow Agent shall act in a ministerial capacity only and shall not be required to interpret or enforce the Purchase Agreement or make any determination as to whether a claim is valid.

(c) The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any act or omission taken in good faith in reliance upon any Joint Written Instruction, court order, or arbitration award, except for acts or omissions constituting gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud.

5.2 Escrow Agent Fees

(a) The Escrow Agent's fees shall be as set forth in the Escrow Agreement and shall be paid:

☐ [50]% by Buyer and [50]% by Seller
☐ 100% by Buyer
☐ 100% by Seller
☐ Other: [________________________________]

(b) Fee Schedule (typical ranges):

5.3 Resignation and Removal

(a) Resignation. The Escrow Agent may resign upon [____] days' prior written notice to Buyer and Seller. The resignation shall not become effective until a successor Escrow Agent has been appointed.

(b) Removal. The Escrow Agent may be removed by Joint Written Instruction upon [____] days' prior written notice to the Escrow Agent.

(c) Successor Appointment. If a successor Escrow Agent is not appointed within [____] days of the effective date of resignation or removal, the Escrow Agent may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor or may interplead the Escrow Amount into court.

5.4 Investment of Escrow Funds

(a) The Escrow Agent shall invest the Escrow Amount as directed by Joint Written Instruction in one or more of the following:

☐ Money market deposit accounts at the Escrow Agent's institution
☐ United States Treasury obligations with maturities not exceeding [____] months
☐ Certificates of deposit issued by FDIC-insured institutions, not exceeding FDIC insurance limits
☐ Money market mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. government obligations
☐ Other: [________________________________]

(b) In the absence of Joint Written Instruction, the Escrow Agent shall invest the Escrow Amount in [________________________________].

(c) Risk Allocation. All investment risk (including risk of loss of principal) shall be borne by [Buyer / Seller / shared equally / the party to whom the Escrow Amount is ultimately disbursed].

5.5 Tax Reporting

(a) For federal and state income tax purposes, the Escrow Amount (including all interest and income earned thereon) shall be treated as owned by [Seller / Buyer] and reported under Tax Identification Number [________________________________].

(b) The Escrow Agent shall issue IRS Form 1099 (or other applicable tax reporting forms) to [Seller / Buyer] with respect to all income earned on the Escrow Amount.

(c) [Seller / Buyer] shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes on income earned on the Escrow Amount, regardless of to whom the Escrow Amount is ultimately disbursed.

(d) Florida State Tax Note. Florida does not impose a personal state income tax (Fla. Const. Art. VII, § 5). However, Florida imposes a corporate income/franchise tax at a rate of 5.5% on net income apportioned to Florida (Fla. Stat. § 220.11). If either party is a corporation or other entity subject to the Florida corporate income tax, coordinate tax reporting accordingly.

5.6 Indemnification of Escrow Agent

Buyer and Seller shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Escrow Agent from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in connection with the Escrow Agent's performance of its duties hereunder, except to the extent caused by the Escrow Agent's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud.

5.7 Interpleader

If at any time the Escrow Agent receives conflicting instructions from Buyer and Seller, or if a dispute arises between the parties regarding the Escrow Amount, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled (but not obligated) to:

(a) Refuse to act until the dispute is resolved by agreement, arbitration, or court order;

(b) Interplead the Escrow Amount into the Circuit Court of [________________________________] County, Florida, or the United States District Court for the [Northern / Middle / Southern] District of Florida; and

(c) Recover its costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred in connection with such interpleader action from the Escrow Amount.

[DRAFTING NOTE: Under Florida law, attorneys' fees are generally not recoverable in contract disputes absent a specific contractual provision or statutory authorization. Include a prevailing party attorneys' fees clause if desired. Fla. Stat. § 57.105 provides for sanctions against frivolous claims.]

PART VI: RELEASE MECHANICS

6.1 Scheduled Releases

(a) First Release (if applicable). On the date that is [____] months after the Closing Date (the "First Release Date"), the Escrow Agent shall release to Seller an amount equal to [____]% of the initial Escrow Amount, less the aggregate amount of all Pending Claims as of such date.

(b) Second Release (if applicable). On the date that is [____] months after the Closing Date (the "Second Release Date"), the Escrow Agent shall release to Seller an amount equal to [____]% of the initial Escrow Amount, less the aggregate amount of all Pending Claims as of such date.

(c) Final Release. On the Escrow Expiration Date, the Escrow Agent shall release to Seller the entire remaining balance of the Escrow Amount, less the aggregate amount of all Pending Claims as of such date.

6.2 Working Capital Adjustment Release

If a Working Capital Adjustment Escrow was established:

(a) Upon the final determination of the Closing Working Capital pursuant to Section [____] of the Purchase Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall disburse the WC Escrow Amount as follows:

• If the Closing Working Capital exceeds the Target Working Capital, the excess shall be paid to Seller, and the remainder shall be returned to Buyer; or
• If the Target Working Capital exceeds the Closing Working Capital, the deficiency shall be paid to Buyer, and the remainder shall be paid to Seller.

(b) If the entire WC Escrow Amount is insufficient to cover the working capital deficiency, Seller shall pay the shortfall to Buyer within [____] Business Days.

6.3 Holdback Release

(a) Scheduled Release. On the Holdback Expiration Date, Buyer shall pay to Seller the Holdback Amount (or the remaining balance thereof), less the aggregate amount of all Pending Claims as of such date.

(b) Pending Claims Reserve. Buyer may retain from the Holdback Amount an amount equal to [100 / 125 / 150]% of the aggregate claimed amount of all Pending Claims (the "Claims Reserve").

(c) Release of Claims Reserve. Upon final resolution of each Pending Claim, Buyer shall promptly pay to Seller the portion of the Claims Reserve attributable to such claim that is not required to satisfy the resolved claim.

6.4 Joint Instruction Requirements

(a) All releases from the Escrow Account (other than pursuant to a court order or arbitration award) shall require a Joint Written Instruction executed by authorized representatives of both Buyer and Seller.

(b) The Joint Written Instruction shall specify:

• (i) The amount to be released;
• (ii) The party to whom the release is to be made;
• (iii) Wire transfer instructions for the receiving party; and
• (iv) Any applicable withholding or tax reporting instructions.

(c) The Escrow Agent shall make the disbursement within [____] Business Days of receipt of a compliant Joint Written Instruction.

6.5 Final Accounting

Within [____] Business Days following the final disbursement of all amounts from the Escrow Account, the Escrow Agent shall deliver to Buyer and Seller a final accounting statement reflecting all deposits, investment income, disbursements, fees, and taxes relating to the Escrow Account.

PART VII: FLORIDA-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

7.1 Florida Escrow Regulation

(a) No Standalone Commercial Escrow Licensing. Unlike California and Arizona, Florida does not have a standalone commercial escrow agent licensing statute for M&A transactions. However, various regulatory frameworks apply depending on the type of entity serving as escrow agent:

(b) Real Estate Broker Escrow Requirements (Fla. Stat. § 475.25). If a licensed real estate broker serves as escrow agent (primarily for transactions with real property components):

• The broker must immediately place escrow funds in a trust or escrow account upon receipt
• Deposits must be placed in the escrow account within three (3) business days of receipt by the broker
• An associate or broker-associate must deliver the escrow deposit to the broker by the end of the next business day after receipt
• At least one broker must be a signatory on all escrow accounts
• A broker may maintain up to $1,000 of personal/brokerage funds in a sales escrow account and up to $5,000 in a property management escrow account
• Monthly reconciliation of escrow accounts is required
• For disputed escrow funds exceeding $50,000, FREC will not issue an Escrow Disbursement Order; interpleader with the clerk of courts is required

(c) Attorney Escrow Accounts. If a Florida Bar member serves as escrow agent:

• The attorney must comply with Florida Bar Rule 4-1.15 (Safekeeping of Property)
• Funds must be held in a trust account (IOLTA or separate interest-bearing account) at a Florida financial institution authorized by the Florida Bar
• Funds must not be commingled with the attorney's personal or operating accounts
• Complete records must be maintained for a period of at least six years

7.2 Florida Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (Fla. Stat. Ch. 717)

(a) Overview. Florida's Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act is codified in Chapter 717 of the Florida Statutes and is administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), Bureau of Unclaimed Property.

(b) Dormancy Period. Under Fla. Stat. Ch. 717, intangible property is presumed unclaimed based on the following dormancy periods:

(c) Applicability to Escrow Funds. Escrow funds that remain undisbursed after the expiration of the Escrow Period and resolution of all claims may be subject to the Florida Unclaimed Property Act. Florida's five-year dormancy period for general intangible property is longer than many states' three-year period.

(d) Reporting Requirements. Under Fla. Stat. § 717.117:

• Holders must file annual reports with the Florida Department of Financial Services
• Reports are due before May 1 of each year for unclaimed property with an activity date during the preceding calendar year (after accounting for the dormancy period)
• Reports must be filed electronically
• Reports must include the owner's name, last known address, Social Security number or Tax ID (if available), and a description of the property

(e) Due Diligence. Under Fla. Stat. § 717.117(4):

• Not more than 120 days and not less than 60 days prior to filing the report, the holder must send written notice by first-class U.S. mail to the apparent owner at the owner's last known address
• Electronic mail notice is permitted if the apparent owner has elected that delivery method
• Due diligence is required for all reportable property regardless of value

(f) Limitations Period. Under Fla. Stat. § 717.129, the Department may not commence an action to enforce Chapter 717 more than 10 years after the holder's duty arose.

(g) Practical Escrow Provision. To mitigate unclaimed property risk, include the following in the Escrow Agreement:

"If any portion of the Escrow Amount remains undisbursed for a period of [____] months following the Escrow Expiration Date (or, with respect to Pending Claims, the final resolution thereof), the Escrow Agent shall provide written notice to Buyer and Seller at their respective notice addresses. If the Escrow Agent does not receive a Joint Written Instruction within [____] days of such notice, the Escrow Agent may take such actions as it deems necessary to comply with applicable unclaimed property laws, including the Florida Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (Fla. Stat. Ch. 717)."

7.3 Trust Account Rules

(a) Banks and Trust Companies. Florida-chartered banks and trust companies acting as escrow agents are regulated under Fla. Stat. Ch. 658 (Banks and Trust Companies) and Ch. 660 (Trust Business) by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR). They must:

• Maintain escrow funds separate from the institution's own assets
• Comply with OFR trust department examination requirements
• Maintain appropriate fidelity bond coverage

(b) Attorney Trust Accounts. Under Florida Bar Rule 5-1.1:

• Attorneys must maintain trust accounts at Florida financial institutions approved by the Florida Bar
• Interest on trust accounts generally must be remitted to The Florida Bar Foundation (IOLTA)
• Separate interest-bearing accounts may be maintained for specific clients when the amount or anticipated holding period justifies a separate account
• Trust account records must be maintained for at least six (6) years

(c) Title Insurance Agents. Under Fla. Stat. Ch. 626, Part IX:

• Title insurance agents handling closing funds must maintain escrow accounts in accordance with the Florida Insurance Code
• Regular reconciliation and reporting to the title insurance company is required

7.4 Choice of Law and Forum Considerations

(a) Governing Law. These Holdback Terms and the Escrow Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles.

(b) Forum Selection. Any dispute arising under or relating to these Holdback Terms or the Escrow Agreement shall be resolved exclusively in:

☐ The Circuit Court of [________________________________] County, Florida
☐ The United States District Court for the [Northern / Middle / Southern] District of Florida
☐ Either state or federal court, at the election of the filing party

(c) Waiver of Jury Trial (if applicable).

☐ The parties waive their right to a jury trial in any action arising under or relating to these Holdback Terms.

☐ Jury trial right preserved.

[DRAFTING NOTE: Florida courts enforce contractual jury trial waivers in commercial disputes between sophisticated parties. See Allyn v. Western United Life Assurance Co., 347 F. Supp. 2d 1246 (M.D. Fla. 2004). The Florida Constitution, Art. I, § 22, preserves the right to trial by jury, but waiver is permitted.]

(d) Florida Arbitration Code. Florida has adopted the Florida Arbitration Code (Fla. Stat. Ch. 682, revised 2013, based on the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act). Arbitration agreements in commercial transactions are enforceable under both state and federal (FAA) law.

(e) Prevailing Party Attorneys' Fees. Florida follows the "American Rule" (each party bears its own fees) absent contractual or statutory authorization. Consider including a prevailing party attorneys' fees clause:

☐ Include prevailing party attorneys' fees provision.
☐ Each party bears its own attorneys' fees.

PART VIII: PRACTICE NOTES

8.1 Negotiation Tips for Florida M&A Transactions

(a) Escrow Size. Market practice for general indemnity escrows is typically 5-15% of the purchase price. Florida's active M&A market in healthcare, real estate, hospitality, technology, and financial services generally follows national market trends.

(b) Escrow Period. Standard escrow periods range from 12 to 24 months. Florida's five-year written contract statute of limitations may argue for extended survival periods, but market practice typically caps escrow at 18-24 months.

(c) Escrow Agent Selection. For Florida-based transactions, consider using a national bank with Florida operations, a Florida-based trust company, or an experienced Florida attorney. For transactions with significant real estate components, a licensed title insurance company may be appropriate.

(d) No State Income Tax Advantage. Florida's lack of a personal income tax is a significant factor in deal structuring. Sellers relocating to Florida before closing may reduce their overall tax burden. However, the Florida corporate income tax (5.5%) applies to corporations.

(e) Real Estate Components. Many Florida M&A transactions involve significant real estate holdings (hospitality, commercial real estate, healthcare facilities). Consider separate escrow arrangements for real property components subject to Fla. Stat. Ch. 475 and Ch. 689 requirements.

(f) Hurricane and Natural Disaster Risk. For Florida transactions involving physical assets, consider separate escrow or extended holdback provisions addressing hurricane damage, flood risk, and insurance adequacy during the escrow period.

(g) Healthcare Transactions. Florida has a significant healthcare industry. For healthcare M&A transactions, consider specific escrow provisions addressing Medicare/Medicaid recoupments, Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) licensure, and CON (Certificate of Need) issues.

8.2 Market Terms Reference

8.3 Common Pitfalls

(a) FREC Escrow Disputes. If a real estate broker holds escrow funds and a dispute arises, FREC will issue Escrow Disbursement Orders only for disputes of $50,000 or less. For larger amounts, the broker must interplead the funds with the clerk of courts.

(b) Misalignment Between Documents. Ensure that the Escrow Agreement, Purchase Agreement, and these Holdback Terms use consistent defined terms, survival periods, and claim procedures.

(c) Failure to Address Attorneys' Fees. Florida follows the American Rule. Without a contractual provision, the prevailing party cannot recover attorneys' fees. Include a fee-shifting clause if desired.

(d) Forgetting Unclaimed Property. Florida's five-year dormancy period (Fla. Stat. Ch. 717) is longer than many states, but escrow funds left in limbo will eventually become subject to reporting. Build automatic release mechanisms into the Escrow Agreement.

(e) Inadequate Claims Reserve. When sizing the Claims Reserve for Pending Claims, consider using 125-150% of the claimed amount to account for cost escalation and attorneys' fees.

(f) Ignoring Hurricane Season. For transactions closing during hurricane season (June-November), consider whether material adverse changes in the target's physical assets should affect escrow release timing.

(g) Failure to Coordinate with RWI Policy. If an RWI policy is in place, failure to comply with notice and cooperation requirements may void coverage.

(h) Corporate Income Tax Oversight. While Florida has no personal income tax, the 5.5% corporate income tax applies to entities. Ensure tax reporting for escrow income is properly allocated.

8.4 Checklist for Counsel

☐ Confirm escrow amount, holdback amount, and percentage of Purchase Price
☐ Verify Escrow Agent is qualified (bank, trust company, attorney, title company)
☐ If real estate broker serves as escrow agent, confirm Fla. Stat. § 475.25 compliance
☐ Verify escrow period aligns with survival periods in Purchase Agreement
☐ Confirm basket type (deductible vs. tipping) and amount
☐ Confirm cap on liability for general and fundamental representations
☐ Address materiality scrape (qualification and/or indemnity)
☐ Review setoff provisions and priority of recovery
☐ Review investment instructions for escrow funds
☐ Address tax reporting (federal and Florida corporate income tax, if applicable)
☐ Include unclaimed property / escheat provisions (Fla. Stat. Ch. 717; 5-year dormancy)
☐ Confirm dispute resolution mechanism (negotiation, mediation, arbitration, litigation)
☐ Verify forum selection and governing law
☐ Address jury trial waiver (if desired)
☐ Include prevailing party attorneys' fees clause (if desired)
☐ Coordinate with RWI policy (if applicable)
☐ Confirm Escrow Agreement form is consistent with Purchase Agreement
☐ Address real estate components and separate escrow (if applicable)
☐ Consider hurricane/natural disaster provisions (if applicable)
☐ Address working capital adjustment mechanics (if applicable)
☐ Confirm notice provisions are consistent across all transaction documents
☐ Consider healthcare regulatory provisions (AHCA, Medicare/Medicaid)

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

1. Florida Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act - Fla. Stat. Ch. 717
   - § 717.102: Definitions
   - § 717.107: Wages and insurance proceeds (1-year and 5-year dormancy)
   - § 717.108: Traveler's checks and money orders (15-year and 7-year dormancy)
   - § 717.1125: Property distributable by business associations (5-year dormancy)
   - § 717.117: Report of unclaimed property (May 1 deadline)
   - § 717.118: Notice and publication
   - § 717.129: Periods of limitation (10-year enforcement window)
   - https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/Chapter717/All

2. Florida Real Estate Broker Escrow Requirements - Fla. Stat. Ch. 475
   - § 475.25: Discipline; escrow trust account requirements
   - https://www.floridarealtors.org/law-ethics/library/florida-escrow-laws-rules

3. Florida Banking and Trust Companies - Fla. Stat. Ch. 658, Ch. 660

4. Florida Title Insurance - Fla. Stat. Ch. 626, Part IX

5. Florida Bar Trust Account Rules - Florida Bar Rule 5-1.1; Rule 4-1.15

6. Florida Statute of Limitations
   - § 95.11(2)(b): Written contracts (5 years)
   - § 95.11(3)(j): Fraud (4 years from discovery)
   - § 95.11(3)(k): Oral contracts (4 years)

7. Florida Corporate Income Tax - Fla. Stat. § 220.11 (5.5% rate)

8. Florida Arbitration Code - Fla. Stat. Ch. 682

9. Florida Department of Financial Services - Bureau of Unclaimed Property
   - https://fltreasurehunt.gov/

10. ABA Model Asset Purchase Agreement (reference for M&A indemnity market terms)

11. American Bar Association, Private Target Mergers & Acquisitions Deal Points Study

This template is provided by ezel.ai for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It must be reviewed and customized by a qualified attorney licensed in Florida before use. Laws and regulations change frequently; verify all citations and amounts before relying on this document.

Last Updated: 2026-02-26