Fla. Stat. § 662.143 — Florida Code / Title XXXVIII / Chapter 662 / Section 662.143
662.143 Cease and desist authority.
Status: in_force

(1) The office may issue and serve upon a family trust company, licensed family trust company, foreign licensed family trust company, or family trust company-affiliated party a complaint stating charges if the office has reason to believe that such company, family trust company-affiliated party, or individual named therein is engaging in or has engaged in any of the following acts: (a) The company is not a family trust company or foreign licensed family trust company as defined in this chapter. (b) A violation of s. 662.1225, s. 662.123(1)(a), s. 662.125(2), s. 662.126, s. 662.127, s. 662.128, s. 662.130, or s. 662.134. (c) A violation of any rule of the commission. (d) A violation of any order of the office. (e) A breach of any written agreement with the office. (f) A prohibited act or practice pursuant to s. 662.131. (g) A willful failure to provide information or documents to the office upon written request. (h) An act of commission or omission that is judicially determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a breach of trust or fiduciary duty. (i) A violation of chapter 896 or similar state or federal law or any related rule or regulation.

(2) The complaint must contain the statement of facts and a notice of opportunity for a hearing pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57.

(3) If no hearing is requested within the time allowed by ss. 120.569 and 120.57, or if a hearing is held and the office finds that any of the charges are true, the office may enter an order directing the family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company, or family trust company-affiliated party, or the individual named therein to cease and desist from engaging in the conduct complained of and to take corrective action.

(4) If the family trust company, licensed family trust company, foreign licensed family trust company, or family trust company-affiliated party, or the individual named in such order, fails to respond to the complaint within the time allotted in ss. 120.569 and 120.57, such failure constitutes a default and justifies the entry of a cease and desist order.

(5) A contested or default cease and desist order is effective when reduced to writing and served upon the family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company, or family trust company-affiliated party, or the individual named therein. An uncontested cease and desist order is effective as agreed.

(6) If the office finds that conduct described in subsection (1) is likely to cause substantial prejudice to members, shareholders, or beneficiaries of fiduciary accounts of the family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company, or to beneficiaries of services rendered by such company, it may issue an emergency cease and desist order requiring the family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company, family trust company-affiliated party, or individual named therein to immediately cease and desist from engaging in the conduct complained of and to take corrective action. The emergency order is effective immediately upon service of a copy of the order upon the family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company, or family trust company-affiliated party and remains effective for 90 days. If the office begins nonemergency cease and desist proceedings under subsection (1), the emergency order remains effective until the conclusion of the proceedings under ss. 120.569 and 120.57.

(7) A family trust company or foreign licensed family trust company shall have 90 days to wind up its affairs after entry of any order to cease and desist from operating as a family trust company or foreign licensed family trust company. If, after 90 days, a family trust company is still operating, the office may seek an order from the circuit court for the annulment or dissolution of the company. If, after 90 days, a foreign licensed family trust company is still operating, the office may seek an injunction from the circuit court restraining the company from continuing to operate in this state.

History: s. 30, ch. 2014-97; s. 13, ch. 2016-35.