Good Faith in Florida Law
Good faith means honesty in fact and fair dealing. Every Florida contract includes an implied covenant of good faith, requiring parties to act honestly, cooperate, and not destroy the other party's right to contract benefits.
What Good Faith Requires
- Act honestly and not deceive the other party
- Not destroy the other party's right to contract benefits
- Cooperate in contract performance
- Exercise discretion reasonably
Real Estate Applications
- Buyer/seller contract performance
- Lender loan processing obligations
- Title company search and closing duties
- Agent fiduciary duties
- HOA rule enforcement consistency
- Insurance claim handling
Legal Standing
Florida does not recognize an independent lawsuit for breach of good faith; it must connect to an underlying contract. Exception: insurance bad faith (§624.155) is a standalone claim.
Related Terms
- Contract — Implied covenant in all contracts
- Equity — Equitable good faith standards
- Escrow — Good faith deposits
Barnes Walker Contract Law
Barnes Walker's attorneys enforce and defend good faith obligations in Florida real estate and commercial contracts. Request a legal inquiry for assistance.
Reviewed by the attorneys at Barnes Walker, Goethe, Shea & Robinson, PLLC