UBS Financial Services, Inc. v. Catherine Meo Saunders; Joseph A. Meo, individually and as co-trustee of the Robert and Agnes Meo Trust fbo Catherine Saunders; and Richard Schutt

Summary

The Florida Second District Court of Appeal reversed an order denying UBS Financial Services' motion to compel arbitration. The court held that Catherine Meo Saunders, although she did not sign the account agreement, was equitably estopped from disclaiming its arbitration provision because her claims sought direct benefits under that agreement. The case was remanded for arbitration.

Holdings

1. A nonsignatory who expressly seeks benefits and contractual services under an agreement may be equitably estopped from disclaiming the agreement's arbitration provision.
2. The trial court erred by denying UBS's motion to compel arbitration; the court should have estopped Saunders from disclaiming the arbitration provision and compelled arbitration.

Questions Presented

1. Whether a nonsignatory co-trustee who sues to obtain benefits and contractual account services under an agreement is equitably estopped from avoiding that agreement's arbitration provision.
2. Whether the trial court erred in denying UBS's motion to compel arbitration.

Disposition

reversed_and_remanded