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