Law & License

    Conversion

    Using entrusted escrow funds for the broker's own benefit, a serious Florida license law violation that can carry criminal penalties.

    Conversion is taking escrow funds that belong to others and using them for personal or business purposes. A broker who spends a buyer's earnest money has converted those funds. Conversion goes beyond commingling because the money is actually used, not just mixed.

    Conversion is among the most serious violations a licensee can commit. It can result in license revocation and criminal charges in addition to administrative penalties.

    On the exam

    When a scenario has the broker actually spending or withdrawing escrow money, the answer is conversion, not commingling.

    Exam trap

    If the funds were only mixed into the wrong account, that is commingling. Conversion requires that the funds were used.

    Tested in

    Brokerage Activities (12% of the exam)

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    This definition is Florida real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.