Alfred Leone v. David Putnam

We affirm the holding of the district court that it could not grant specific performance of a contract for the sale of corporate stock which was held by husband and wife in an estate by the entireties, when only the husband signed the contract to sell.

Under Florida law, when stock is held in the joint names of both spouses, even if purchased with the husband’s own funds, an estate by the entireties is created unless there is an expressed intention to the contrary. Lapp v. United States, 316 F.Supp. 386 (S.D.Fla.1970); Porterfield v. Porterfield, 181 So.2d 16 (Fla.App.1965). See Matthews v.…