Disputes over the release of earnest money are extremely rare, but anyone who has ever been involved with one knows they can be an extremely miserable experience. For a buyer with limited funds it can mean a lengthy delay in being able to make an offer on another property. For both parties it can be very emotionally draining and expose them to the potential of paying attorney fees—both their own and those of the other party.
The most common scenario for an earnest money dispute is after a buyer terminates a contract based on the Form 35 inspection contingency…