Senate Bill sb3012
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    By Senator Campbell
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
  1                      A bill to be entitled
  2         An act relating to judgment liens; amending s.
  3         55.141, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
  4         satisfaction of judgments and decrees;
  5         eliminating authority of judges to act under
  6         these provisions when there is no clerk of
  7         court; revising requirements of clerk when
  8         accepting payment for satisfaction of a
  9         judgment and executing and recording a
10         satisfaction of judgment; providing a sample
11         form to be used by a clerk when recording a
12         satisfaction of judgment; revising provisions
13         relating to notification of satisfaction of
14         judgment to a judgment holder; amending s.
15         55.202, F.S.; revising procedures for acquiring
16         a judgment lien; providing court authorization
17         to file a judgment lien certificate before a
18         judgment becomes final under certain
19         circumstances; providing effect; amending s.
20         55.204, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
21         continuation of judgment liens; revising
22         provisions requiring the Department of State to
23         maintain certain files and information;
24         amending s. 55.205, F.S.; deleting a provision
25         authorizing certain creditors to bring certain
26         actions against property of a debtor; amending
27         ss. 55.602, 55.603, 55.604, 55.605, and 55.606,
28         F.S.; revising provisions relating to foreign
29         judgments to apply only to out-of-country
30         foreign judgments; amending s. 56.21, F.S.;
31         revising requirements for notices of a levy and
                                  1
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         execution sale; amending s. 56.27, F.S.;
 2         clarifying provisions relating to payment of
 3         money received under execution; amending s.
 4         56.29, F.S.; revising requirements regarding
 5         supplementary proceedings for unsatisfied
 6         judgments; amending s. 222.01, F.S.; revising
 7         provisions relating to designation of homestead
 8         property by the owner prior to levy to include
 9         foreign judgments; amending s. 319.27, F.S.;
10         correcting a cross-reference; amending s.
11         679.1021, F.S.; revising a definition of "lien
12         creditor"; providing effective dates.
13  
14  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
15  
16         Section 1.  Section 55.141, Florida Statutes, as
17  amended by section 69 of chapter 2003-402, Laws of Florida, is
18  amended to read:
19         55.141  Satisfaction of judgments and decrees; duties
20  of clerk and judge.--
21         (1)  All judgments and decrees for the payment of money
22  rendered in the courts of this state and which have become
23  final, may be satisfied at any time prior to the actual levy
24  of execution issued thereon by payment of the full amount of
25  such judgment or decree, with interest thereon, plus the costs
26  of the issuance, if any, of execution thereon into the
27  registry of the court where rendered.
28         (2)  Upon such payment, the clerk, or the judge if
29  there is no clerk, shall execute issue his or her receipt
30  therefor and shall record in the official records a
31  satisfaction of judgment, provided by the judgment holder,
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1  upon payment of the recording charge prescribed in s.
 2  28.24(12). Upon payment in the amount required in subsection
 3  (1) and the recording charge required by this subsection and
 4  execution and recordation of the satisfaction by the clerk,
 5  any lien created by such judgment is satisfied and discharged.
 6  s. 28.24(12) plus the necessary costs of mailing to the clerk
 7  or judge. The clerk or judge shall formally notify the owner
 8  of record of such judgment or decree, if such person and his
 9  or her address are known to the clerk or judge receiving such
10  payment, and, upon request therefor, shall pay over to the
11  person entitled, or to his or her order, the full amount of
12  the payment so received, less his or her fees for issuing
13  execution on such judgment or decree, if any has been issued,
14  and less his or her fees for receiving into and paying out of
15  the registry of the court such payment, together with the fees
16  of the clerk for receiving into and paying such money out of
17  the registry of the court.
18         (3)  The satisfaction of judgment executed by the clerk
19  shall be substantially in the following form:
20  
21                Satisfaction of Judgment by Clerk
22  
23  The undersigned Clerk acknowledges on this      day of
24  (month), (year), receipt from (identity of party making
25  payment) of $ (total amount received), comprised of $     face
26  amount of the judgment; $     interest accruing on the
27  judgment through the date of payment; $     costs of issuance
28  of any execution; and $     for recording.
29  
30  Pursuant to section 55.141, Florida Statutes, said sum is paid
31  to satisfy the lien and to discharge that certain final
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1  judgment in favor of (name of judgment holder) whose last
 2  known address, if known, is (address if shown on face of
 3  judgment or in recorded affidavit pursuant to section
 4  55.10(1), Florida Statutes,) against (name of judgment debtor)
 5  recorded in Official Records Volume/Book     , page     of the
 6  public records of      County, Florida.
 7  
 8  Upon the execution of this satisfaction, said judgment is
 9  satisfied and discharged.
10  
11  If an address for the judgment holder was provided under
12  section 55.10(1), Florida Statutes, I certify that a copy of
13  this notice has been sent to the judgment holder at said
14  address by certified mail with return receipt requested or by
15  registered mail if the notice is to be sent outside the
16  continental United States.
17  
18  Clerk of Court
19         (4)  If an address for the judgment holder was provided
20  under s. 55.10(1), the clerk shall formally send a copy of the
21  satisfaction to the judgment holder at said address by
22  certified mail with return receipt or by registered mail if
23  the notice is to be sent outside the continental United
24  States. If an address is not provided under s. 55.10(1) or if
25  delivery cannot be effected to such address, the clerk may,
26  but is not obligated to, make reasonable attempts to locate
27  the judgment holder. The discharge of the lien by the issuance
28  of the satisfaction is not dependent upon the delivery of
29  notice by the clerk.
30         (5)  Upon application of the judgment holder, the clerk
31  shall pay over to the judgment holder the full amount of the
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1  payment received, less the clerk's fees for issuing execution
 2  on such judgment, if any has been issued; less the clerk's
 3  fees for receiving into and paying out of the registry of the
 4  court such payment; less the clerk's fees for recording the
 5  satisfaction of judgment; and if the clerk incurred expenses
 6  in locating the judgment holder, less the reasonable expenses
 7  so incurred.
 8         (3)  Full payment of judgments and decrees as in the
 9  preceding subsections of this section provided shall
10  constitute full payment and satisfaction thereof and any lien
11  created by such judgment or decree shall thereupon be
12  satisfied and discharged.
13         Section 2.  Subsections (2) and (3) of section 55.202,
14  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
15         55.202  Judgments, orders, and decrees; lien on
16  personal property.--
17         (2)  A judgment lien may be acquired on a judgment
18  debtor's interest in all personal property in this state
19  subject to execution under s. 56.061, other than fixtures,
20  money, negotiable instruments, and mortgages.
21         (a)  A judgment lien is acquired by filing a judgment
22  lien certificate in accordance with s. 55.203 with the
23  Department of State after the judgment has become final and if
24  the time to move for rehearing has lapsed, no motion for
25  rehearing is pending, and no stay of the judgment or its
26  enforcement is then in effect. A court may authorize, for
27  cause shown, the filing of a judgment lien certificate before
28  a judgment has become final when the court has authorized the
29  issuance of a writ of execution in the same matter. A judgment
30  lien certificate not filed in compliance with this subsection
31  is permanently void and of no effect.
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         (b)  For any lien, warrant, assessment, or judgment
 2  collected by the Department of Revenue, a judgment lien may be
 3  acquired by filing the judgment lien certificate information
 4  or warrant with the Department of State in accordance with
 5  subsection (5).
 6         (c)  Except as provided in s. 55.208, the effective
 7  date of a judgment lien is the date, including the time of
 8  day, of filing. Although no lien attaches to property, and a
 9  creditor does not become a lien creditor as to liens under
10  chapter 679, until the debtor acquires an interest in the
11  property, priority among competing judgment liens is
12  determined in order of filing date and time.
13         (d)  Except as provided in s. 55.204(3), a judgment
14  creditor may file only one effective judgment lien certificate
15  based upon a particular judgment.
16         (3)  Except as otherwise provided in s. 55.208, the
17  priority of a judgment lien acquired in accordance with this
18  section or s. 55.204(3) is established at the date and time
19  the judgment lien certificate is filed.
20         Section 3.  Subsections (4) and (6) of section 55.204,
21  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
22         55.204  Duration and continuation of judgment lien;
23  destruction of records.--
24         (4)  A judgment lien continues only as to itemized
25  property for an additional 90 days after lapse of the lien.
26  Such judgment lien will continue only if:
27         (a)  The property had been itemized and its location
28  described with sufficient particularity in the instructions
29  for levy to permit the sheriff to act;
30  
31  
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         (b)  The instructions for the levy had been delivered
 2  to the sheriff prior to the date of lapse of the lien to
 3  permit the sheriff to act; and
 4         (c)  The property was located in the county in which
 5  the sheriff has jurisdiction at the time of delivery of the
 6  instruction for levy. Subsequent removal of the property does
 7  not defeat the lien. A court may order continuation of the
 8  lien beyond the 90-day period on a showing that extraordinary
 9  circumstances have prevented levy.
10         (6)  If no second judgment lien is filed, the
11  Department of State shall maintain each judgment lien file and
12  all information contained therein for a minimum of 1 year
13  after the judgment lien lapses in accordance with this
14  section.  If a second judgment lien is filed, the department
15  shall maintain both files and all information contained in
16  such files for a minimum of 1 year after the second judgment
17  lien lapses.
18         Section 4.  Subsection (1) of section 55.205, Florida
19  Statutes, is amended to read:
20         55.205  Effect of judgment lien.--
21         (1)  A valid judgment lien gives the judgment creditor
22  the right to proceed against the property of the debtor
23  through writ of execution, garnishment, or other judicial
24  process. A judgment creditor who has not acquired a judgment
25  lien as provided in s. 55.202 or whose lien has lapsed may
26  nevertheless proceed against the judgment debtor's property
27  through any appropriate other judicial process. Such judgment
28  creditor proceeding by writ of execution acquires a lien as of
29  the time of levy and only on the property levied upon. Except
30  as provided in s. 55.208, such judgment creditor takes subject
31  to the claims and interest of priority judgment creditors.
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         Section 5.  Subsection (2) of section 55.602, Florida
 2  Statutes, is amended to read:
 3         55.602  Definitions.--As used in this act, the term:
 4         (2)  "Out-of-country foreign judgment" means any
 5  judgment of a foreign state granting or denying recovery of a
 6  sum of money, other than a judgment for taxes, a fine, or
 7  other penalty.
 8         Section 6.  Section 55.603, Florida Statutes, is
 9  amended to read:
10         55.603  Applicability.--This act applies to any
11  out-of-country foreign judgment that is final and conclusive
12  and enforceable where rendered, even though an appeal
13  therefrom is pending or is subject to appeal.
14         Section 7.  Section 55.604, Florida Statutes, is
15  amended to read:
16         55.604  Recognition and enforcement.--Except as
17  provided in s. 55.605, an out-of-country a foreign judgment
18  meeting the requirements of s. 55.603 is conclusive between
19  the parties to the extent that it grants or denies recovery of
20  a sum of money. Procedures for recognition and enforceability
21  of an out-of-country a foreign judgment shall be as follows:
22         (1)  The out-of-country foreign judgment shall be filed
23  with the clerk of the court and recorded in the public records
24  in the county or counties where enforcement is sought.
25         (a)  At the time of the recording of an out-of-country
26  a foreign judgment, the judgment creditor shall make and
27  record with the clerk of the circuit court an affidavit
28  setting forth the name, social security number, if known, and
29  last known post-office address of the judgment debtor and of
30  the judgment creditor.
31  
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         (b)  Promptly upon the recording of the out-of-country
 2  foreign judgment and the affidavit, the clerk shall mail
 3  notice of the recording of the out-of-country foreign
 4  judgment, by registered mail with return receipt requested, to
 5  the judgment debtor at the address given in the affidavit and
 6  shall make a note of the mailing in the docket. The notice
 7  shall include the name and address of the judgment creditor
 8  and of the judgment creditor's attorney, if any, in this
 9  state. In addition, the judgment creditor may mail a notice of
10  the recording of the judgment to the judgment debtor and may
11  record proof of mailing with the clerk. The failure of the
12  clerk to mail notice of recording will not affect the
13  enforcement proceedings if proof of mailing by the judgment
14  creditor has been recorded.
15         (2)  The judgment debtor shall have 30 days after
16  service of the notice to file a notice of objection with the
17  clerk of the court specifying the grounds for nonrecognition
18  or nonenforceability under this act.
19         (3)  Upon the application of any party, and after
20  proper notice, the circuit court shall have jurisdiction to
21  conduct a hearing, determine the issues, and enter an
22  appropriate order granting or denying recognition in
23  accordance with the terms of this act.
24         (4)  If the judgment debtor fails to file a notice of
25  objection within the required time, the clerk of the court
26  shall record a certificate stating that no objection has been
27  filed.
28         (5)  Upon entry of an order recognizing the
29  out-of-country foreign judgment, or upon recording of the
30  clerk's certificate set forth above, the out-of-country
31  
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1  foreign judgment shall be enforced in the same manner as the
 2  judgment of a court of this state.
 3         (6)  Once an order recognizing the out-of-country
 4  foreign judgment has been entered by a court of this state,
 5  the order and a copy of the judgment may be recorded in any
 6  other county of this state without further notice or
 7  proceedings, and shall be enforceable in the same manner as
 8  the judgment of a court of this state.
 9         (7)  A lien on real estate in any county shall be
10  created only when there has been recorded in the official
11  records of the county (a) a certified copy of the judgment,
12  and (b) a copy of the clerk's certificate or the order
13  recognizing the out-of-country foreign judgment. The priority
14  of such lien will be established as of the time the latter of
15  the two recordings has occurred. Such lien may be partially
16  released or satisfied by the person designated pursuant to
17  paragraph (1).
18         (8)  A judgment lien on personal property is acquired
19  only when a judgment lien certificate is filed in accordance
20  with s. 55.203 with the Department of State.
21         Section 8.  Section 55.605, Florida Statutes, is
22  amended to read:
23         55.605  Grounds for nonrecognition.--
24         (1)  An out-of-country A foreign judgment is not
25  conclusive if:
26         (a)  The judgment was rendered under a system which
27  does not provide impartial tribunals or procedures compatible
28  with the requirements of due process of law.
29         (b)  The foreign court did not have personal
30  jurisdiction over the defendant.
31  
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         (c)  The foreign court did not have jurisdiction over
 2  the subject matter.
 3         (2)  An out-of-country A foreign judgment need not be
 4  recognized if:
 5         (a)  The defendant in the proceedings in the foreign
 6  court did not receive notice of the proceedings in sufficient
 7  time to enable him or her to defend.
 8         (b)  The judgment was obtained by fraud.
 9         (c)  The cause of action or claim for relief on which
10  the judgment is based is repugnant to the public policy of
11  this state.
12         (d)  The judgment conflicts with another final and
13  conclusive order.
14         (e)  The proceeding in the foreign court was contrary
15  to an agreement between the parties under which the dispute in
16  question was to be settled otherwise than by proceedings in
17  that court.
18         (f)  In the case of jurisdiction based only on personal
19  service, the foreign court was a seriously inconvenient forum
20  for the trial of the action.
21         (g)  The foreign jurisdiction where judgment was
22  rendered would not give recognition to a similar judgment
23  rendered in this state.
24         Section 9.  Section 55.606, Florida Statutes, is
25  amended to read:
26         55.606  Personal jurisdiction.--The out-of-country
27  foreign judgment shall not be refused recognition for lack of
28  personal jurisdiction if:
29         (1)  The defendant was served personally in the foreign
30  state;
31  
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         (2)  The defendant voluntarily appeared in the
 2  proceedings, other than for the purpose of protecting property
 3  seized or threatened with seizure in the proceedings or of
 4  contesting the jurisdiction of the court over him or her;
 5         (3)  The defendant, prior to the commencement of the
 6  proceedings, had agreed to submit to the jurisdiction of the
 7  foreign court with respect to the subject matter involved;
 8         (4)  The defendant was domiciled in the foreign state
 9  when the proceedings were instituted, or, being a body
10  corporate, had its principal place of business, was
11  incorporated, or had otherwise acquired corporate status, in
12  the foreign state;
13         (5)  The defendant had a business office in the foreign
14  state and the proceedings in the foreign court involved a
15  cause of action or a claim for relief arising out of business
16  done by the defendant through that office in the foreign
17  state; or
18         (6)  The defendant operated a motor vehicle or airplane
19  in the foreign state and the proceedings involved a cause of
20  action or claim for relief arising out of such operation.
21         Section 10.  Effective October 1, 2004, section 56.21,
22  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
23         56.21  Execution sales; notice.--Notice of all sales
24  under execution shall be given by advertisement once each week
25  for 4 successive weeks in a newspaper published in the county
26  in which the sale is to take place. The time of such notice
27  may be shortened in the discretion of the court from which the
28  execution issued, upon affidavit that the property to be sold
29  is subject to decay and will not sell for its full value if
30  held until date of sale. On or before the date of the first
31  publication or posting of the notice of sale, a copy of the
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1  notice of sale shall be furnished by certified mail to the
 2  attorney of record of the judgment debtor, or to the judgment
 3  debtor at the judgment debtor's last known address if the
 4  judgment debtor does not have an attorney of record. Such copy
 5  of the notice of sale shall be mailed even though a default
 6  judgment was entered. When levying upon personal property, a
 7  notice of such levy and execution sale and a copy of the
 8  affidavit required by s. 56.27(4) shall be sent by the sheriff
 9  made by the levying creditor to the attorneys attorney  of
10  record of all the judgment creditors, creditor or to all the
11  judgment creditors who do not have an attorney of record,
12  creditor who have has acquired a judgment lien as provided in
13  s. 55.202 or s. 55.204(3), and whose liens have not lapsed at
14  the time of levy, at the address listed in the judgment lien
15  certificate, or, if amended, in any amendment to the judgment
16  lien certificate, and to all secured creditors who have filed
17  financing statements as provided in part V of chapter 679 s.
18  679.401 in the name of the judgment debtor reflecting a
19  security interest in property of the kind to be sold at the
20  execution sale at the address listed in the financing
21  statement, or, if amended, in any amendment to the financing
22  statement. Such notice shall be made in the same manner as
23  notice is made to any judgment debtor under this section. When
24  levying upon real property, notice of such levy and execution
25  sale shall be made to the property owner of record in the same
26  manner as notice is made to any judgment debtor pursuant to
27  this section. When selling real or personal property, the sale
28  date shall not be earlier than 30 days after the date of the
29  first advertisement.
30         Section 11.  Subsections (1), (2), and (4) of section
31  56.27, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         56.27  Executions; payment of money collected.--
 2         (1)  All money received under executions shall be paid,
 3  in the order prescribed, to the following: the sheriff, for
 4  costs; the levying creditor in the amount of $500 as
 5  liquidated expenses; if the levy is upon real property, the
 6  first priority lienholder under s. 55.10; and if the levy is
 7  upon personal property, and the first priority lienholder
 8  under s. 55.202, s. 55.204(3), or s. 55.208(2), as set forth
 9  in an affidavit required by subsection (4), or his or her
10  attorney, in satisfaction of the judgment lien, provided that
11  the judgment lien has not lapsed at the time of the levy. The
12  receipt of the attorney shall be a release of the officer
13  paying the money to him or her. When the name of more than one
14  attorney appears in the court file, the money shall be paid to
15  the attorney who originally commenced the action or who made
16  the original defense unless the file shows that another
17  attorney has been substituted.
18         (2)  When property sold under execution brings more
19  than the amount needed to satisfy the provisions of subsection
20  (1), the surplus shall be paid in the order of priority to any
21  judgment lienholders whose judgment liens have not lapsed.
22  Priority of liens on personal property shall be based on the
23  effective date of the judgment lien acquired under s. 55.202,
24  s. 55.204(3), or s. 55.208(2), as set forth in an affidavit
25  required under subsection (4). If there is a surplus after all
26  valid judgment liens and execution liens have been satisfied,
27  the surplus must be paid to the defendant.
28         (4)  On or Before the date of the first publication or
29  posting of the notice of sale provided for under s. 56.21, the
30  levying creditor shall deliver to the sheriff file an
31  
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1  affidavit setting forth the following as to the judgment
 2  debtor:
 3         (a)  An attestation that the levying creditor has
 4  reviewed the database or judgment lien records established in
 5  accordance with ss. 55.201-55.209 and that the information
 6  contained in the affidavit based on that review is true and
 7  correct;
 8         (b)  The information required under s. 55.203(1) and
 9  (2) for each judgment lien certificate indexed under the name
10  of the judgment debtor as to each judgment creditor; the file
11  number assigned to the record of the original and, if any, the
12  second judgment lien; and the date of filing for each judgment
13  lien certificate under s. 55.202 or s. 55.204(3); and
14         (c)  A statement that the levying creditor either does
15  not have any other levy in process or, if another levy is in
16  process, the levying creditor believes in good faith that the
17  total value of the property under execution does not exceed
18  the amount of outstanding judgments.
19         Section 12.  Subsection (1) of section 56.29, Florida
20  Statutes, is amended to read:
21         56.29  Proceedings supplementary.--
22         (1)  When any person or entity holds an unsatisfied
23  judgment execution and has delivered a writ of execution to
24  any sheriff, the judgment holder plaintiff in execution may
25  file an affidavit so stating, identifying the issuing court,
26  the case number, the unsatisfied amount of the judgment
27  including accrued costs and interest, and that the execution
28  is valid and outstanding, and thereupon the judgment holder is
29  entitled to these proceedings supplementary to execution.
30         Section 13.  Subsections (2) and (4) of section 222.01,
31  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
                                  15
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         222.01  Designation of homestead by owner before
 2  levy.--
 3         (2)  When a certified copy of a judgment has been filed
 4  in the public records of a county pursuant to chapter 55 s.
 5  55.10, a person who is entitled to the benefit of the
 6  provisions of the State Constitution exempting real property
 7  as homestead and who has a contract to sell or a commitment
 8  from a lender for a mortgage on the homestead may file a
 9  notice of homestead in the public records of the county in
10  which the homestead property is located in substantially the
11  following form:
12  
13                       NOTICE OF HOMESTEAD
14  
15         To:...(Name and address of judgment creditor as
16         shown on recorded judgment and name and address
17         of any other person shown in the recorded
18         judgment to receive a copy of the Notice of
19         Homestead)....
20  
21         You are notified that the undersigned claims as
22         homestead exempt from levy and execution under
23         Section 4, Article X of the State Constitution,
24         the following described property:
25  
26                ...(Legal description)...
27  
28         The undersigned certifies, under oath, that he
29         or she has applied for and received the
30         homestead tax exemption as to the
31         above-described property, that .... is the tax
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         identification parcel number of this property,
 2         and that the undersigned has resided on this
 3         property continuously and uninterruptedly from
 4         ...(date)... to the date of this Notice of
 5         Homestead. Further, the undersigned will either
 6         convey or mortgage the above-described property
 7         pursuant to the following:
 8  
 9         ...(Describe the contract of sale or loan
10         commitment by date, names of parties, date of
11         anticipated closing, and amount. The name,
12         address, and telephone number of the person
13         conducting the anticipated closing must be set
14         forth.)...
15  
16         The undersigned also certifies, under oath,
17         that the judgment lien filed by you on
18         ...(date)... and recorded in Official Records
19         Book ...., Page ...., of the Public Records of
20         ........ County, Florida, does not constitute a
21         valid lien on the described property.
22  
23         YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, PURSUANT TO SECTION
24         222.01 ET SEQ., FLORIDA STATUTES, THAT WITHIN
25         45 DAYS AFTER THE MAILING OF THIS NOTICE YOU
26         MUST FILE AN ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
27         ........ COUNTY, FLORIDA, FOR A DECLARATORY
28         JUDGMENT TO DETERMINE THE CONSTITUTIONAL
29         HOMESTEAD STATUS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY OR TO
30         FORECLOSE YOUR JUDGMENT LIEN ON THE PROPERTY
31         AND RECORD A LIS PENDENS IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1         OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE HOMESTEAD IS LOCATED.
 2         YOUR FAILURE TO SO ACT WILL RESULT IN ANY BUYER
 3         OR LENDER, OR HIS OR HER SUCCESSORS AND
 4         ASSIGNS, UNDER THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED CONTRACT OF
 5         SALE OR LOAN COMMITMENT TO TAKE FREE AND CLEAR
 6         OF ANY JUDGMENT LIEN YOU MAY HAVE ON THE
 7         PROPERTY.
 8  
 9         This .... day of ............, 2.....
10                                ........................
11                              ...(Signature of Owner)...
12  
13                                ........................
14                           ...(Printed Name of Owner)...
15  
16                                ........................
17                                 ...(Owner's Address)...
18  
19         Sworn to and subscribed before me by
20         ........................ who is personally
21         known to me or produced
22         ........................ as identification,
23         this .... day of ............, 2.....
24  
25                                ........................
26                                           Notary Public
27  
28         (4)  A lien pursuant to chapter 55 s. 55.10 of any
29  lienor upon whom such notice is served, who fails to institute
30  an action for a declaratory judgment to determine the
31  constitutional homestead status of the property described in
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1  the notice of homestead or to file an action to foreclose the
 2  judgment lien, together with the filing of a lis pendens in
 3  the public records of the county in which the homestead is
 4  located, within 45 days after service of such notice shall be
 5  deemed as not attaching to the property by virtue of its
 6  status as homestead property as to the interest of any buyer
 7  or lender, or his or her successors or assigns, who takes
 8  under the contract of sale or loan commitment described above
 9  within 180 days after the filing in the public records of the
10  notice of homestead. This subsection shall not act to prohibit
11  a lien from attaching to the real property described in the
12  notice of homestead at such time as the property loses its
13  homestead status.
14         Section 14.  Subsection (2) and paragraph (b) of
15  subsection (3) of section 319.27, Florida Statutes, are
16  amended to read:
17         319.27  Notice of lien on motor vehicles or mobile
18  homes; notation on certificate; recording of lien.--
19         (2)  No lien for purchase money or as security for a
20  debt in the form of a security agreement, retain title
21  contract, conditional bill of sale, chattel mortgage, or other
22  similar instrument or any other nonpossessory lien, including
23  a lien for child support, upon a motor vehicle or mobile home
24  upon which a Florida certificate of title has been issued
25  shall be enforceable in any of the courts of this state
26  against creditors or subsequent purchasers for a valuable
27  consideration and without notice, unless a sworn notice of
28  such lien has been filed in the department and such lien has
29  been noted upon the certificate of title of the motor vehicle
30  or mobile home. Such notice shall be effective as constructive
31  notice when filed. The No interest of a statutory
                                  19
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1  nonpossessory lienor; the interest of a nonpossessory
 2  execution, attachment, or equitable lienor; or the interest of
 3  a lien creditor as defined in s. 679.1021(1)(zz) 679.301(3),
 4  if nonpossessory, shall not be enforceable against creditors
 5  or subsequent purchasers for a valuable consideration unless
 6  such interest becomes a possessory lien or is noted upon the
 7  certificate of title for the subject motor vehicle or mobile
 8  home prior to the occurrence of the subsequent transaction.
 9  Provided the provisions of this subsection relating to a
10  nonpossessory statutory lienor; a nonpossessory execution,
11  attachment, or equitable lienor; or the interest of a lien
12  creditor as defined in s. 679.1021(1)(zz) 679.301(3) shall not
13  apply to liens validly perfected prior to October 1, 1988. The
14  notice of lien shall provide the following information:
15         (a)  The date of the lien if a security agreement,
16  retain title contract, conditional bill of sale, chattel
17  mortgage, or other similar instrument was executed prior to
18  the filing of the notice of lien;
19         (b)  The name and address of the registered owner;
20         (c)  A description of the motor vehicle or mobile home,
21  showing the make, type, and vehicle identification number; and
22         (d)  The name and address of the lienholder.
23         (3)
24         (b)  As applied to a determination of the respective
25  rights of a secured party under this chapter and a lien
26  creditor as defined by s. 679.1021(1)(zz) 679.301(3), or a
27  nonpossessory statutory lienor, a security interest under this
28  chapter shall be perfected upon the filing of the notice of
29  lien with the department, the county tax collector, or their
30  agents. Provided, however, the date of perfection of a
31  security interest of such secured party shall be the same date
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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 3012
    32-653D-04                                          See HB 955
 1  as the execution of the security agreement or other similar
 2  instrument if the notice of lien is filed in accordance with
 3  this subsection within 15 days after the debtor receives
 4  possession of the motor vehicle or mobile home and executes
 5  such security agreement or other similar instrument. The date
 6  of filing of the notice of lien shall be the date of its
 7  receipt by the department central office in Tallahassee, if
 8  first filed there, or otherwise by the office of the county
 9  tax collector, or their agents.
10         Section 15.  Paragraph (zz) of subsection (1) of
11  section 679.1021, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
12         679.1021  Definitions and index of definitions.--
13         (1)  In this chapter, the term:
14         (zz)  "Lien creditor" means:
15         1.  A creditor that has acquired a lien on the property
16  involved by attachment, levy, judgment lien certificate, or
17  the like;
18         2.  An assignee for benefit of creditors from the time
19  of assignment;
20         3.  A trustee in bankruptcy from the date of the filing
21  of the petition; or
22         4.  A receiver in equity from the time of appointment.
23         Section 16.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this
24  act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
25  
26  
27  
28  
29  
30  
31  
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