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Florida Statute 521.003 - Full Text and Legal Analysis Florida Statute 521.003 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Fla. Stat. § 521.003 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
521.003 Definitions.As used in ss. 521.001-521.006, the term:
(1) “Adjusted or net capitalized cost” means the capitalized cost, less any capitalized cost-reduction payments made by the retail lessee at the inception of the lease agreement. The adjusted or net capitalized cost shall serve as the basis for calculating the amount of the retail lessee’s periodic payment under the lease agreement.
(2) “Capitalized cost” means the agreed-upon total amount which, after deducting any capitalized cost reductions, serves as the basis for calculating the amount of the periodic payment under the lease agreement. The capitalized cost may include, without limitation:
(a) Taxes.
(b) Registration fees.
(c) License fees.
(d) Insurance charges.
(e) Charges for guaranteed auto protection or GAP coverage.
(f) Charges for service contracts and extended warranties.
(g) Fees and charges for accessories and for installing accessories.
(h) Charges for delivery, service, and repair.
(i) Administrative fees, acquisition fees, and any and all fees or charges for providing services incidental to the lease agreement.
(j) The unpaid balance of any amount financed under an outstanding motor vehicle loan agreement or motor vehicle retail installment contract with respect to a motor vehicle used as a trade-in.
(k) The unpaid portion of the early termination obligation under an outstanding lease agreement.
(l) The first periodic payment due at the inception of the lease agreement.
(3) “Capitalized cost reduction” means a payment made by cash, check, credit card debit, net vehicle trade-in, rebate, or other similar means in the nature of a down payment or credit, made by the retail lessee at the inception of the lease agreement, for the purpose of reducing the capitalized cost and shall not include any periodic payments received by the retail lessor at the inception of the lease agreement.
(4) “Lease agreement” means a written agreement entered into in this state for the transfer from a retail lessor to a retail lessee of the right to possess and use a motor vehicle in exchange for consideration for a scheduled term exceeding 4 months, whether or not the retail lessee has the option to purchase or otherwise become the owner of the motor vehicle upon expiration of the agreement. The term does not include an agreement which covers an absolute sale, a sale pending approval, or a retail installment sale, including a transaction or contract which is governed by the Motor Vehicle Retail Sales Finance Act of Florida.
(5) “Lease transaction” means a presentation made to the retail lessee concerning the motor vehicle, including a sales presentation or a document presented to the retail lessee, resulting in the execution of a lease agreement.
(6) “Motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle of the type and kind required to be registered and titled under chapters 319 and 320, excluding a recreational vehicle, moped, motorcycle powered by a motor with a displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less, or a mobile home.
(7) “Retail lessee” means an individual who executes a lease agreement for a motor vehicle from a retail lessor primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.
(8) “Retail lessor” means a person who regularly engages in the business of selling or leasing motor vehicles and who offers or arranges a lease agreement for a motor vehicle. The term includes an agent or affiliate who acts on behalf of the retail lessor and excludes any assignee of the lease agreement.
History.s. 3, ch. 95-350.

Cases Citing F.S. 521.003

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·Blab T v. of Mobile, Inc. v. Comcast Cable Commc'ns, Inc., 182 F.3d 851 (11th Cir. 1999).

Cited 66 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

cable systems.” Cable Act § 601(3), 47 U.S.C. § 521(3). In addition, in a section entitled “Coordination
0 red3 yellow66 green0 procedural
Limited(citing case) (2020)
phrase: "limited in"
Limited(citing case) (2002)
phrase: "limited in"
LimitedAnderson (2002)
phrase: "limited in"
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·In Re Donald W. Hall & Lucile E. Hall, Debtors, Donald W. Hall & Lucile E. Hall v. Fin. One of Georgia Inc., in Re Joe E. Stubblefield & Vicky L. Stubblefield, Debtors, Joe E. Stubblefield & Vicky L. Stubblefield v. Fin. One of Georgia Inc., in Re Clinton Eugene Register & Doris Elaine Register, Debtors, Clinton Eugene Register & Doris Elaine Register v. Kennesaw Fin. Co., in Re Ronald Gary Hall, Debtor, Ronald Gary Hall v. Fin. One of Georgia Inc., 752 F.2d 582 (11th Cir. 1985).

Cited 90 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 11 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 1367, 1985 U.S. App. LEXIS 27932, 12 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 949

property of the estate, would conflict with section 521(3), which requires the debtor to surrender all
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Declined to followIn Re Weiss (1985)
phrase: "declined to follow"
Cited as authorityIn re Gokay (2015)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn re McAllister (2014)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Warner Cable Commc'ns, Inc., an Illinois Corp. v. City of Niceville, 911 F.2d 634 (11th Cir. 1990).

Cited 39 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 68 Rad. Reg. 2d (P & F) 359, 1990 U.S. App. LEXIS 15942

such systems. See 47 U.S.C. § 521. 3 . Warner’s opposition to the City’s
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Cited as authority(citing case) (2011)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2010)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2010)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Blab T v. v. Comcast Cable, 182 F.3d 851 (11th Cir. 1999).

Cited 68 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

cable systems.” Cable Act § 601(3), 47 U.S.C. § 521(3). In addition, in a section entitled, “Coordination
0 red0 yellow1 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityTur (2022)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Goldberg v. Lawrence (In Re Lawrence), 227 B.R. 907 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 1998).

Cited 14 times | Published | United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | 41 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 177, 1998 Bankr. LEXIS 1615

assistance to the Trustee. See generally, 11 U.S.C. § 521(3) and (4).[3] The hearing continued over a three
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Cited as authorityIn re: Herbert M. Zukerkorn Jennifer Zukerkorn (2012)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn Re Von Kiel (2012)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn Re Santaella (2002)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Circle Redmont, Inc. v. Mercer Transp. Co., 78 F. Supp. 2d 1316 (M.D. Fla. 1999).

Cited 6 times | Published | District Court, M.D. Florida | 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21126, 1999 WL 1288678

the regulation of cable systems." 47 U.S.C.A. § 521(3) (West 1991). Additionally, section 636(b) of the
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Cited as authorityHoskins (2003)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityStephenson (2002)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityHoover (2002)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Wendel v. Kent (In Re Kent), 92 B.R. 540 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 1988).

Cited 5 times | Published | United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | 1988 Bankr. LEXIS 1729, 18 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 525

and papers relating to property of the estate." § 521(3) and (4). The trustee's request fell within these
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Cited as authorityIn Re Cochener (2007)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn Re Trinsey (1990)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn Re Sowers (1989)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·In Re Walker, 356 B.R. 834 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 2006).

Cited 3 times | Published | United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | 20 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. B 53, 2006 Bankr. LEXIS 3112

recorded information to the trustee. See 11. U.S.C. § 521(3) & *848 (4). Thus it is the trustee's job, not
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Cited as authoritySchiano (2019)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn re Wright (2016)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn re Fazzary (2015)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Barnett Bank of South Florida, N.A. v. Levine (In Re Levine), 107 B.R. 781 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 1989).

Cited 4 times | Published | United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | 1989 Bankr. LEXIS 2031

relating to the property of the estate . . . Section 521(3) and (4). The Trustee in April 1989 made a substantial
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Cited as authorityIn Re Buzzelli (2000)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn Re Caserta (1995)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·In Re Dillon, 194 B.R. 533 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 1996).

Cited 3 times | Published | United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | 35 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 1000, 9 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. B 344, 35 Fed. R. Serv. 3d 777, 1996 Bankr. LEXIS 395, 28 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 1123

Contentions The Trustee grounds his request on 11 U.S.C. § 521(3) which establishes a general duty on the part of
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Cited as authorityIn Re Adam Aircraft Industries, Inc. (2009)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityNoonan (1997)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·In Re Perez, 318 B.R. 742 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2005).

Cited 2 times | Published | United States Bankruptcy Court, M.D. Florida | 18 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. B 54, 2005 Bankr. LEXIS 1

as exempt. 11 U.S.C. §§ 521(4) and 522(b). Section 521(3) deals separately with the situation that arises
0 red0 yellow4 green0 procedural
Cited as authoritySouthall (2012)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn Re Micko (2006)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityMicko (2006)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·In re Simmons, 520 B.R. 136 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2014).

Cited 2 times | Published | United States Bankruptcy Court, M.D. Florida | 25 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. B 91, 2014 Bankr. LEXIS 4886, 2014 WL 6765482

of the insurance contract.”). . See 11 U.S.C. § 521(3). . Doc. No. 178. . The Trustee and State Farm
0 red0 yellow1 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Hall v. Fin. One of Georgia Inc., 752 F.2d 582 (11th Cir. 1985).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

property of the estate, would conflict with section 521(3), which requires the debtor to surrender all
0 red0 yellow4 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (1990)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Relied upon(citing case) (1990)
phrase: "relied upon in"
Cited as authoritySnow (1990)
phrase: "rule_authority"

This Florida statute resource is curated by the attorney maintaining this site, a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.