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Laws Of Agency Fiduciary DutiesTermination_and_liabilityMEDIUM

After a listing agreement is terminated, a third party asks a former seller's agent to disclose confidential information about the seller's financial habits that was learned during the agency relationship. Which of the following best describes the former agent's obligation?

Correct Answer

C) The duty of confidentiality survives termination of the agency, and the agent must decline to disclose the information

Under California Civil Code §2079.13 et seq. and established fiduciary duty principles, the duty of confidentiality is not extinguished when the agency relationship ends. Information about a principal's personal financial habits acquired during the agency remains confidential indefinitely. A former agent who discloses such information without authorization could face liability under Business & Professions Code §10176 for conduct constituting a breach of fiduciary duty, regardless of who is requesting the information or their stated reason.

Answer Options
A
The duty of confidentiality ends with the agency, so the agent may freely disclose the information
B
The agent may disclose the information if doing so would prevent financial harm to the third party
C
The duty of confidentiality survives termination of the agency, and the agent must decline to disclose the information
D
The agent may disclose the information only if the seller provides written authorization

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

confidentialitypost_terminationsurviving_dutiesthird_party_requests

Related Concepts

The legal requirement for real estate agents to inform all parties about who they represent in a transaction, typically provided at first substantive contact.

A legal relationship in which one person (the agent) is authorized to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in business transactions with third parties.

The legal ending of an agency relationship, which can occur through completion, expiration, mutual agreement, breach, death, incapacity, or bankruptcy of either party.

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