Donald Trump is facing a legal battle that threatens his real estate empire, particularly Mar-a-Lago, his prized Florida property.
A New York judge recently ruled that Trump, along with his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and the Trump Organization, are liable in a business fraud case accusing them of inflating the value of their properties.
Could this 'save' Trumps property?
According to Newsweek, Paul Golden, a partner at New York law firm Coffey Modica, suggests that Trump might turn to Florida's home-protection laws as a legal strategy to retain Mar-a-Lago.
These laws could potentially shield him from a court order that would otherwise force the sale of the property.
However, Golden warns that Trump faces several obstacles in this legal route.
Is Mar-a-Lago really a residence?
One major hurdle is whether Mar-a-Lago can be considered Trump's residence, a requirement under Florida law for the home-protection strategy to work.
New York Attorney General Letitia James could argue that Mar-a-Lago, being a members-only club with guest rooms, doesn't qualify as a residence.
Another issue is the clash between New York and Florida laws. Whether a New York court decision can be overridden by Florida law remains a "seriously complicated issue," according to Golden. Florida law stipulates that the property must be "owned by a natural person" and not a trust, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
With Trump Tower likely to be one of the first properties to be affected, Trump is reportedly pulling out all the stops to save Mar-a-Lago. The property holds significant sentimental and financial value for him, making its potential loss a blow to both his ego and his business reputation.
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