Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Florida

Re: Judgements SOL

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The life of a judgment has varied over the years. If the certified copy was first recorded in a county in accordance with Florida Statute 55.10 between July 1, 1987, and June 30, 1994, then the judgment, order, or decree shall be a lien in that county for an initial period of 7

years from the date of the recording. If the certified copy is first

recorded in accordance with the statute on or after July 1, 1994, then

the judgment, order, or decree shall be a lien in that county for an

initial period of 10 years from the date of the recording. The judgment can be renewed for another 10 year period.

Subject to the provisions of Florida Statute 55.10, no judgment, order, or decree of any court shall be a lien upon real or personal property within the state after the expiration of 20 years from the date of the entry of such judgment, order, or decree.

To have the judgment effective as a lien against personal property, you must file a judgment lien certificate with the State of Florida Department of State after the judgment has become final and if the time to move for rehearing has lapsed, no motion for rehearing is pending, and no stay of the judgment or its enforcement is then in effect. A court may authorize, for cause shown, the

filing of a judgment lien certificate before a judgment has become final

when the court has authorized the issuance of a writ of execution in the

same matter. A judgment lien certificate not filed in compliance with this subsection is permanently void and of no effect.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.

Re: Judgements SOL

A judgment is good for 20 years.