Rule 5-1.1(f) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar requires lawyers to maintain funds in trust if there is a dispute over the funds between clients and third parties with valid legal claims to the funds and the lawyer owes a legal duty to the third parties. If third parties do not have valid legal claims to the funds, the lawyer should disburse the funds to the rightful owner. Whether the third parties (frequently medical providers) have a valid legal claim to the funds is a legal question.

Rule 5-1.1(f) states:

(f) Disputed Ownership of Trust Funds. When in the course of representation a lawyer is in possession of property in which 2 or more persons (1 of whom may be the lawyer) claim interests, the property must be treated by the lawyer as trust property, but the portion belonging to the lawyer or law firm must be withdrawn within a reasonable time after it becomes due unless the right of the lawyer or law firm to receive it is disputed, in which event the portion in dispute must be kept separate by the lawyer until the dispute is resolved. The lawyer must promptly distribute all portions of the property as to which the interests are not in dispute.