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Foreclosure and Loan Modification Blog

Florida Supreme Court Ruling Could Increase Foreclosures In State

The Florida Supreme Court has issued a ruling that could increase the number of foreclosure actions brought against homeowners in the state.

According to the Florida Bar News, as a result of the state Supreme Court's November 3 ruling,“Lenders who have had a foreclosure suit dismissed can bring new action if the borrower continues to default after the dismissal and the case is brought within five years of nonpayment.”

The ruling had to do with the statute of limitations provision in Florida that says foreclosure on a mortgage has to be brought within five years of the borrower defaulting on payments.

Be Smart Fighting Foreclosure in FL - Know About the 5 Year Statute of Limitations

What does the acceleration of Florida's five year statute of limitations mean? It means that the plaintiff within 5 years after the mortgage loan goes into default is the time that they can sue for foreclosure. But let's say that the court dismisses the action without prejudice. The plaintiff can then pick a more recent breach date (time that loan is in default) and restart the limitation clock. Only if the plaintiff does not file a new action within 5 years of the most recent breach will the Statute of Limitations prohibits the court from hearing the case. However, the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Florida has, since January 2015 a unique yet narrow interpretation stemming from the ruling in Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, v. Harry Beauvais, et al., No. 3D14-575 where it deems basically that a dismissal with prejudice merely resets the clock. Please note that there are 5 District Court of Appeals in Florida. Therefore, the jurisdiction your home is in is also a factor.

It is important to know that:

  1. Acceleration is a term in a loan agreement that requires the borrower to pay off the loan immediately under certain conditions.
  2. The five year Florida statute of limitations period begins when the lender files its first action.
  3. Only valid mortgage notes can go into foreclosure.
  4. Only a dismissal with prejudice stops the clock for purposes of the Statute of Limitations.

About this Blog

Amerihope Alliance Legal Services is a leading loan modification and foreclosure defense law firm with attorneys licensed in 5 states. We have helped over 7,000 homeowners fight back and keep their homes.

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Our goal is to provide valuable information to help homeowners who are trying to obtain a loan modification or to stop foreclosure. You may schedule a free consultation at any time.

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