James Martinez v. Russell M. Jinks, Trustee

13. James Martinez v. Russell M. Jinks, Trustee

Citation: 2026 WL 289106 (Fla. 1st DCA, Feb. 4, 2026), No. 1D2024-2787

Relevant Facts

• A breach of contract case brought before the County Court for Bay County.

• The trial court awarded damages for breach of contract and attorney’s fees to the appellee (Jinks as Trustee of the C.L. Jinks, Jr. Revocable Trust).

• The appellant challenged both the damages award and the attorney’s fees award.

Legal Issues

Whether damages for breach of contract were properly awarded; and whether the attorney’s fees determination constituted a final, appealable judgment.

Positions of the Parties

Martinez: Challenged the damages award and sought review of attorney’s fees.

Jinks: Supported the trial court’s judgment.

Decision of the Court

AFFIRMED as to damages; DISMISSED as to attorney’s fees.

Reasons for the Decision

• The court affirmed the breach of contract damages without further analysis.

• The attorney’s fees award was not final and therefore not appealable because the trial court only determined entitlement to fees without specifying the amount.