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Practice Of Real EstateLicense_lawHARD

Broker Henry in Traverse City discovers that his office manager — who is not a licensed real estate salesperson — has been making deposits into and withdrawals from the broker's trust account for the past six months without Henry's knowledge. All transactions were properly recorded, no funds are missing, and all client accounts are fully intact. Under Michigan's Occupational Code, which of the following most accurately describes Henry's situation?

Correct Answer

B) Henry may have violated Michigan law because trust account transactions must be controlled by the licensed broker, and delegating this authority to an unlicensed person is improper

Under MCL 339.2512 and the Michigan Occupational Code, the licensed broker bears ultimate responsibility for all trust account activity. While a broker may authorize staff to assist with administrative tasks, delegating control over trust account deposits and withdrawals to an unlicensed person — particularly without supervision — raises serious compliance concerns. The broker's lack of knowledge does not eliminate liability; in fact, the failure to supervise trust account activity is itself a violation of the broker's duties under Michigan law. The Bureau of Professional Licensing expects brokers to exercise active oversight of all trust account transactions.

Answer Options
A
Henry has no liability because he was unaware of the office manager's actions and no funds are missing
B
Henry may have violated Michigan law because trust account transactions must be controlled by the licensed broker, and delegating this authority to an unlicensed person is improper
C
Henry is in full compliance because the office manager's actions were administrative in nature and did not involve real estate practice
D
Henry must only report the situation to the Bureau of Professional Licensing if a client complains about the trust account activity

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

trust_accountbroker_supervisionunlicensed_activitybroker_liabilityoversight_dutiesadvanced_trust_rules

Related Concepts

Commingling is the illegal act of mixing client trust funds with a broker's personal or business operating funds; conversion is the misappropriation of those funds.

Continuing education (CE) refers to the ongoing coursework that licensed real estate professionals must complete during each renewal cycle to maintain an active license. CE ensures agents stay current with changes in laws, regulations, and industry practices.

The National Do Not Call Registry is a federal program administered by the FTC that allows consumers to opt out of receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls, including calls from real estate agents soliciting business.

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