A Florida foreclosure produces its documents in a fixed order. A lis pendens opens the case, the final judgment sets the amount owed and the sale date, the clerk's certificate of sale ends the right of redemption, and if nobody objects within 10 days the certificate of title passes ownership. Each term below has its own page and links to the guide that covers it.
- Lis pendens
- A notice recorded in the county's official records that a lawsuit affecting the property has been filed. In Florida it marks the public start of a foreclosure.
- Final judgment of foreclosure
- The court order that fixes the amount owed and directs the clerk to sell the property on a set date.
- Certificate of sale
- Filed by the clerk right after the auction. It names the winning bidder and ends the owner's right of redemption.
- Right of redemption
- The right to stop a Florida foreclosure sale by paying the judgment amount. Under Fla. Stat. 45.0315 it ends at the later of the certificate of sale or the time set in the judgment.
- Objection to foreclosure sale
- A filing asking the court to set aside a Florida foreclosure sale or its price. It must be filed within 10 days after the certificate of sale, and the certificate of title waits for that window.
- Certificate of title
- The document that transfers ownership to the winning bidder, issued 10 days after the certificate of sale if nobody objects.
- Surviving lien
- Any claim that stays attached to the property after the sale, such as a senior mortgage, unpaid property taxes or certain municipal liens.
- Writ of possession
- A court order directing the sheriff to remove occupants so the new owner can take the property.
- Surplus funds
- Money left over when a property sells for more than the judgment. It goes to junior lienholders and then the former owner, not the buyer.
- Tax deed sale
- A separate clerk-run auction of property with unpaid taxes under Chapter 197, Florida Statutes. Different rules, same need for title work.