MORNING SESSION

 

Tuesday, February 22, 1994

 

QUESTION NUMBER 1

 

 

An Ocean Municipal Ordinance on vending provides in relevant part:

 

(a) All licensed vendors shall be appropriately attired. The

wearing of thong bikini bathing suits that expose the buttocks to

public view is absolutely prohibited.

 

(b) Violation of this ordinance is a misdemeanor that may be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) and/or a definite term of imprisonment not exceeding sixty (60) days.

 

Debbie Defendant is a licensed vendor who sells hot dogs from a roadside stand in Ocean, Florida. To boost sales, Debbie wears a thong bikini bathing suit while she works.

 

Debbie is also known to law enforcement as one of Florida's leading dealers in illegal narcotics.

 

One day Officer Linda approaches Debbie, identifies herself and requests permission to search the hot dog stand. Debbie refuses. Officer then notices a small cylindrical bulge in the front of Debbie's bathing suit and orders her to "assume the position." During the pat down, Officer detects what feels like a hand‑rolled cigarette in the front of Debbie's bikini. Instead of seizing the object, however, Officer discontinues the pat down, and states: "You're under arrest for violating the City Ordinance against thong bikini bathing suits. " Officer than reaches into Debbie's bikini bottom and pulls out a marijuana cigarette.

 

Officer Issues Debbie a citation for misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor violation of the bikini ordinance and walks away.

 

You are the law clerk for the circuit court judge assigned to hear the case. The judge asks you to prepare a Memorandum of Law on the following

 

(1) Whether the marijuana cigarette seized by the police is admissible in ' evidence;

 

(2) Whether the Ocean Municipal Ordinance violates any provision of the Florida Constitution.


QUESTION NUMBER 2

 

Mother conveyed Property to Son with the understanding that she could live on Property with Son until she died so long as she paid the annual real estate tax. Son's recorded deed did not reflect that understanding.

 

Son decided to sell Property. Son showed Property to Buyer, who learned that Son lived with Mother (who was away). Buyer liked Property.

 

Buyer offered in writing to pay Son immediately five percent of the purchase price and to complete payment in two weeks in return for title to Property. The writing provided that Son's sole remedy for Buyer's breach would be retention of the earnest money payment: The writing did not mention Buyer's remedies.

 

Son signed the writing and cashed Buyer's earnest money check. To expedite matters, Son also signed a deed conveying Property to Buyer on the condition that Buyer not record the deed until Son received complete payment. Buyer did not sign the writing, nor did anyone (other than Buyer) witness Son's signing of the writing and deed.

 

Mother does not want Son to sell Property. Discuss the Interests of Mother and Son in Property. Is the sales contract enforceable? What are Mother's remedies? What are Buyer's remedies?

 


QUESTION NUMBER 3

 

Sam, a Florida resident, died, survived by his wife and two adult children, twins Cathy and Clay.

 

Wife executed a valid antenuptial agreement waiving all claims to Sam's estate.

 

Sam's validly executed will devised his estate to Tom in trust for the twins, Cathy and Clay. The trust provides that the trustee pay to the twins all income and as much of the principal as the trustee, in his sole discretion, deems necessary for the health, welfare, and education of the twins until they reach 35 years of age, at which time the trust terminates and the remaining assets, if any, be distributed to the twins in equal shares. The testamentary trust contained a spendthrift clause. Tom was also named personal representative under the will.

 

Sam's estate consisted of his homestead valued at $100,000 and $10,000 cash. City Hospital filed a valid claim against the estate for unpaid medical bills stemming from Sam's last illness in the amount of $25,000.

 

Tom liquidated the assets of the estate and distributed the proceeds to the trust. After taking possession as trustee, lie invested all the proceeds in a local construction company. The investment was very successful and Tom supported the twins from the trust while they obtained their college educations, paid $20,000 for a life saving liver transplant for Clay after Clay was in an automobile accident while still in college, and made down payments on the twins' homes after they graduated.

 

The twins are now 31 years old and both own successful businesses. In celebration of Cathy's real estate business closing $2,000,000 in sales in one year, Tom purchased an automobile for her with $20,000 of the trust assets. Cathy assigned her interest in the trust to the local zoo as a charitable donation. Cathy, Clay, and the zoo would like to terminate the trust. The remaining principal balance of the trust is $34,000.

 

Discuss all issues concerning liquidating the estate.

 

Discuss the funding of the trust, addressing the issue of the wife's claim and those of the hospital, as well as general provisions of the trust.

 

Assuming the trust was funded, discuss the administration and possible termination of the trust.