Why More People Need Court Bonds in the Summer Months

Summer isn’t just for sunny vacations—it also happens to be peak season for probate cases, guardianship filings, construction disputes, and other legal actions. These situations often require court bonds, which serve as a financial guarantee that you’ll fulfill your court-ordered responsibilities. If you need a court bond this summer, BOSS Bonds can help you get the right type quickly, often within the very same day.

Why Do More People Need Court Bonds in the Summer?

Summertime brings balmy weather, backyard barbecues, and bustling travel plans. Alongside the sunscreen and suitcases, there’s also a seasonal spike in demand for court bonds. 

Court bonds are a common requirement for many types of legal filings, including estate proceedings, guardianship changes, construction disputes, and vacation mishaps. So, what is a court bond? And what drives their summer surge in demand? 

Below, we’ll answer these questions and explore which types of court bonds are most common. After that, we’ll explain how you can get a court bond quickly and easily with BOSS Bonds. 

What is a Court Bond?

A court bond is a type of surety bond that a judge or court may require you to acquire to guarantee that you’ll meet certain legal obligations. These bonds create a legally binding agreement between the following parties:

• Principal – The person required to purchase the bond (you)
• Obligee – The court or judge requiring the bond
• Surety – The bonding company issuing the bond

If you fail to meet your court-ordered obligations—whether that’s properly executing your guardian duties, paying a judgment, or properly distributing an estate’s proceeds—affected parties can file a claim against your court bond. After that, your surety company will pay valid claims up to the bond amount and seek repayment from you shortly after.

As you can see, court bonds don’t operate as insurance for you. Instead, they provide financial protection for anyone who may suffer losses if you don’t meet your legal obligations.

Who Needs a Court Bond?

A court bond may be required for anyone a judge believes needs to provide extra assurance they’ll follow the law or meet a specific legal obligation. Some common examples include:

• Executors or administrators of estates
• Guardians of minors or incapacitated adults
• Plaintiffs or defendants appealing a court decision
• Contractors challenging liens
• Individuals seeking injunctions or restraining orders

Since court bonds can apply to so many different situations, there’s a good chance that you or someone you know may need one at some point.

Why Do Court Bonds Increase in the Summer?

Most people don’t include “obtain a court bond” in their summer plans. However, summer is one of the most popular seasons for court bonds due to these factors:

• Rise in probate and estate activity – Mortality rates often rise in the winter and spring due to seasonal illnesses. This can result in a surge of probate filings in the summer months. Executors and administrators are often required to post probate bonds before managing a deceased person's assets.
• Increase in construction projects – Thanks to its dry weather conditions, summer is prime time for building projects. More projects also bring more contractor disputes, mechanics’ liens, and litigation. To keep projects on schedule, contractors may file release of lien bonds to clear liens from properties, allowing work to continue while disputes are resolved.
  
  Read More: The Essential Role of Surety Bonds in Keeping Your Contracting Business Compliant

• Shifts in guardianship and custody arrangements – With school out for the summer, many families use this time to handle major transitions, such as divorce filings or changes in guardianship. In these cases, courts may require guardianship bonds to safeguard the well-being of minors or incapacitated adults affected by the change.
• Faster court calendars – Many courts take advantage of the summer months to clear backlogs, speeding up the surge in demand for court bonds.
• Vacation-related mishaps – Not all summer trips go as planned. While no one wants to add “court bond” to their packing list, accidents or disputes that escalate into legal action may make these surety bonds a surprising summer necessity.

What Court Bonds Are Most Common in the Summer?

Now that we’ve explored why court bond demand tends to ramp up in the summer, let’s look at the specific types of court bonds most often required between June and September:

• Probate bonds (a.k.a. executor/administrator bonds) – These bonds are required by probate courts to ensure that the person managing an estate handles assets ethically and in accordance with the law.
• Guardianship bonds – These court bonds are required when someone is appointed to oversee the personal or financial affairs of a minor or an incapacitated adult, protecting those individuals from potential mismanagement.
• Appeal bonds (a.k.a. supersedeas bonds) – These court bonds guarantee payment of a judgment if a court appeal is unsuccessful, protecting the opposing party during the appeal process.
• Release of lien bonds – These court bonds are frequently used by contractors to lift a mechanic’s lien from a property so they can continue work while the dispute is settled in court.
• Injunction or (Temporary Restraining Order) TRO bonds – These court bonds can compensate the opposing party for potential losses if a temporary injunction or restraining order turns out to be wrongly issued.

While each of these court bonds apply to different types of legal cases, they fundamentally work the same way. They all offer financial protection to people who may be harmed if the person posting the bond falls short of their court-ordered obligations.

How Fast Can I Get a Court Bond?

At BOSS Bonds, we understand that speed matters, especially if your hearing or filing deadline is coming up soon. That’s why we strive to approve many of our court bonds the same day you apply. 

However, not all court bonds can be issued the same day. Some may require more detailed financial reviews, additional court documents or orders, or credit checks. That’s why it’s best to start your application as soon as you know you need a court bond. Applying early helps minimize delays and eases last-minute stress before your upcoming court date.

Why Choose BOSS Bonds for Your Court Bond?

Navigating court bond requirements can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time applying for a surety bond. Luckily, BOSS Bonds can help you every step of the way. Here’s what sets our surety agency apart from other alternatives:

• We’re experienced in all major court bonds, from probate to release of lien bonds
• We’re licensed in all 50 states
• We offer fast, friendly, responsive service, even during summer surges
• You can easily apply with us online or by phone

Whether you're handling an estate, filing an appeal, or navigating a summer custody change, we can make your court bonding process a breeze. 

Stay Cool, Calm, and Compliant This Summer with BOSS Bonds

Summer may bring an uptick in legal filings, but that doesn’t mean you have to succumb to court bond stress. By obtaining your surety bond early on and working with a supportive bonding agency, you can satisfy your legal obligations and get back to enjoying your summer.

Need a court bond? Secure the right one fast with BOSS Bonds!

Key Takeaways

• Court bonds act as financial guarantees that someone will follow a court order or fulfill a legal duty.
• Demand for court bonds rises in the summer due to seasonal trends in probate, construction, guardianship, and court calendars.
• The most common summer court bonds include probate, guardianship, appeal, release of lien, and injunction bonds.
• Many court bonds can be issued the same day, though applying in advance can help prevent delays.
• BOSS Bonds offers nationwide service, friendly support, and extensive court bond expertise. 

Sources:

JAMA. Seasonal Variability of Disease.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2801690#google_vignette

National Dispatching. Is Summer Always the Best Season for Construction? A Regional Look for Equipment Renters.

https://nationaldispatching.com/is-summer-always-the-best-season-for-construction-a-regional-look-for-equipment-renters/