(1) Collect and reduce to money the assets of the estate, whether by suit in any court of competent jurisdiction or by public or private sale, including, but not limited to, prosecuting any tort claims or causes of action that were previously held by the assignor, regardless of any generally applicable law concerning the nonassignability of tort claims or causes of action.

(a) With respect to the estate’s claims and causes of action, the assignee may:

1. Conduct discovery as provided under the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure to determine whether to prosecute such claims or causes of actions.

2. Prosecute such claims or causes of action as provided in this section.

3. Sell and assign, in whole or in part, such claims or causes of action to another person or entity on the terms that the assignee determines are in the best interest of the estate under s. 727.111(4).

(b) In an action in any court by the assignee or the first immediate transferee of the assignee, other than an affiliate or insider of the assignor, against a defendant to assert a claim or chose in action of the estate, the claim is not subject to, and any remedy may not be limited by, a defense based on the assignor’s acquiescence, cooperation, or participation in the wrongful act by the defendant which forms the basis of the claim or chose in action.

(2) Within 30 days after the filing date, examine the assignor, under oath, concerning the acts, conduct, assets, liabilities, and financial condition of the assignor or any matter related to the assignee’s administration of the estate, unless excused by the court for good cause shown.

(3) Give notice to creditors of all matters concerning the administration of the estate, pursuant to s. 727.111.

(4) Conduct the business of the assignor for a limited period not to exceed 45 calendar days, if doing so is in the best interest of the estate, or for a longer period if in the best interest of the estate, upon notice and until such time as an objection, if any, is sustained by the court. An assignee’s authorization to conduct the business of the assignor may be extended for a period longer than 45 days upon service of negative notice. If no timely objection is filed with the court, the assignee may continue to operate the assignor’s business for an additional 90 days. The court may extend the 90-day period if it finds an extension to be in the best interest of the estate.

(5) To the extent reasonable in the exercise of the assignee’s business judgment, reject an unexpired lease of nonresidential real property or of personal property under which the assignor is the lessee.

(6) To the extent reasonable and necessary, pay administrative expenses of the estate, subject, however, to s. 727.114(1).

(7) To the extent necessary, employ at the expense of the estate one or more appraisers, auctioneers, accountants, attorneys, or other professional persons, to assist the assignee in carrying out his or her duties under this chapter.

(8) Keep regular accounts and furnish such information concerning the estate as may be reasonably requested by creditors or other parties in interest.

(9) File with the court an interim report of receipts and disbursements within 6 months after the filing date unless excused by the court or unless the estate has been sooner distributed in full.

(10) Examine the validity and priority of all claims against the estate.

(11) Abandon assets to duly perfected secured or lien creditors, where, after due investigation, he or she determines that the estate has no equity in such assets or such assets are burdensome to the estate or are of inconsequential value and benefit to the estate.

(12) Pay dividends and secured or priority claims as often as is compatible with the best interests of the estate and close the estate as expeditiously as possible.

(13) File with the court a final report of all receipts and disbursements and file an application for his or her discharge pursuant to s. 727.116.

History.—s. 8, ch. 87-174; s. 941, ch. 97-102; s. 6, ch. 2007-185; s. 3, ch. 2013-244.