Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.944(b)
Mortgage Foreclosure
(When location of original note unknown) COMPLAINT Plaintiff, ABC, sues defendant, XYZ, and states: 1. This is an action to foreclose a mortgage on real property in .......... County, Florida. 2. On .....(date)....., defendant executed and delivered a promissory note and a mortgage securing the payment of said note to .....(plaintiff or plaintiff’s predecessor)...... The mortgage was recorded on .....(date)....., in Official Records Book .......... at page .......... of the public records of .......... County, Florida, and mortgaged the property described therein which was then owned by and in possession of the mortgagor. A copy of the mortgage and note are attached to the affidavit which is attached hereto as Composite Exhibit “1”; the contents of the affidavit are specifically incorporated by reference. 3. Plaintiff is not in possession of the note but is entitled to enforce it. 4. (select a, b, c, or d) Plaintiff cannot reasonably obtain possession of the note because (a) the note was destroyed.
(b) the note is lost.
(c) the note is in the wrongful possession of an unknown person.
(d) the note is in the wrongful possession of a person that cannot be found or is not amenable to service of process. 5. (select a, b, c, d, e, or f) (a) When loss of possession occurred, plaintiff was the holder of the original note secured by the mortgage.
(b) When loss of possession occurred, plaintiff was a person entitled to enforce the note under applicable law because .....(allege specific facts)......
(c) Plaintiff has directly or indirectly acquired ownership of the note from a person entitled to enforce the note when loss of possession occurred as follows: .....(allege facts as to transfer of ownership)......
(d) Plaintiff has been delegated the authority to institute a mortgage foreclosure action on behalf of the holder of the original note who lost possession of the note. The document(s) that grant(s) plaintiff the authority to act on behalf of the person entitled to enforce the note is/are as follows .......... (attach documents if not already attached).
(e) Plaintiff has been delegated the authority to institute a mortgage foreclosure action on behalf of the person entitled to enforce the note when loss of possession occurred because .....(allege specific facts)...... The document(s) that grant(s) plaintiff the authority to act on behalf of the person entitled to enforce the note is/are as follows .......... (attach documents if not already attached).
(f) Plaintiff has been delegated the authority to institute a mortgage foreclosure action on behalf of the person or entity who directly or indirectly acquired ownership of the note from a person entitled to enforce the note when loss of possession occurred, as follows: .....(allege specific facts)...... the document(s) that grant(s) plaintiff the authority to act on behalf of the person entitled to enforce the note is/are as follows .......... (attach documents if not already attached). 6. Plaintiff did not transfer the note or lose possession of it as the result of a lawful seizure. 7. The property is now owned by defendant who holds possession. 8. Defendant has defaulted under the note and mortgage by failing to pay the payment(s) due ..…(date(s))….. , and all subsequent payments ….. (identify other defaults as applicable)…… 9. Plaintiff declares the full amount payable under the note and mortgage to be due. 10. Defendant owes plaintiff $......... that is due on principal on the note and mortgage, interest from .....(date)....., and title search expense for ascertaining necessary parties to this action. 11. Plaintiff is obligated to pay its attorneys a reasonable fee for their services. Plaintiff is entitled to recover its attorneys’ fees for prosecuting this claim pursuant to .....(identify statutory and/or contractual bases, as applicable)...... WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment re-establishing the promissory note, determining the amount and nature of adequate protection to be required by sections 673.3091(2) and 702.11, Florida Statutes, foreclosing the mortgage, for costs (and, where applicable, for attorneys’ fees), and if the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to pay plaintiff’s claim, a deficiency judgment. NOTE: An action for foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property must contain an oath, affirmation, or the following statement as required by rule 1.115(e). VERIFICATION Under penalty of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing, and the facts alleged therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Executed on .....(date)...... (Person Signing Verification) ***** AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF ……….. BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, personally appeared .....(name)....., who, after being first duly sworn, deposes and states, under penalty of perjury: 1. I am the plaintiff (or plaintiff’s ..........) (identify relationship to plaintiff). I am executing this affidavit in support of plaintiff’s Complaint against defendant and I have personal knowledge of the matters set forth herein. 2. On .....(date)..... , the public records reflect that defendant executed and delivered a mortgage securing the payment of the note to .....(plaintiff/plaintiff’s predecessor)...... The mortgage was recorded on .....(date)..... , in Official Records Book .......... at page .......... of the public records of .......... County, Florida, and mortgaged the property described therein, which was then owned by and in possession of the mortgagor, a copy of the mortgage and the note being attached. 3. Plaintiff is not in possession of the note but is entitled to enforce it. 4. (select a, b, c, or d) Plaintiff cannot reasonably obtain possession of the note because (a) the note was destroyed.
(b) the note is lost.
(c) the note is in the wrongful possession of an unknown person.
(d) the note is in the wrongful possession of a person who cannot be found or is not amenable to service of process. 5. (select a, b, c, d, e, or f) (a) When loss of possession occurred, plaintiff was the holder of the original note secured by the mortgage.
(b) When loss of possession occurred, plaintiff was a person entitled to enforce the note under applicable law because .....(allege specific facts)......
(c) Plaintiff has directly or indirectly acquired ownership of the note from a person entitled to enforce the note when loss of possession occurred as follows: .....(allege facts regarding transfer of ownership)......
(d) Plaintiff has been delegated the authority to institute a mortgage foreclosure action on behalf of the holder of the original note who lost possession of the note. The document(s) that grant(s) plaintiff the authority to act on behalf of the person entitled to enforce the note is/are as follows ........... (attach copy of document(s) or relevant portion(s) of the document(s)).
(e) Plaintiff has been delegated the authority to institute a mortgage foreclosure action on behalf of the person entitled to enforce the original note when loss of possession occurred, because .....(allege specific facts)...... The document(s) that grant(s) plaintiff the authority to act on behalf of the person entitled to enforce the note is/are as follows .......... (attach documents if not already attached).
(f) Plaintiff has been delegated the authority to institute a mortgage foreclosure action on behalf of the person or entity who directly or indirectly acquired ownership of the note from a person entitled to enforce the original note when loss of possession occurred, as follows .....(allege specific facts)...... The document(s) that grant(s) plaintiff the authority to act on behalf of the person entitled to enforce the note is/are as follows .......... (attach documents if not already attached). 6. Below is the clear chain of the endorsements, transfers, allonges or assignments of the note and all documents that evidence same as are available to Plaintiff: .....(identify in chronological order all endorsements, transfers, assignments of, allonges to, the note or other evidence of the acquisition, ownership and possession of the note)...... Correct copies of the foregoing documents are attached to this affidavit. 7. Plaintiff did not transfer the note or lose possession of it as the result of a lawful seizure. FURTHER, AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT. [signature] ………. [typed or printed name of affiant] STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF ............... BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority appeared .....(name of affiant)....., who .....is personally known to me or ..... produced identification ….. and acknowledged that he/she executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes expressed therein and who did take an oath.
WITNESS my hand and seal in the State and County aforesaid, this .....(date)......
NOTARY PUBLIC, State of Florida Print Name: ………. Commission Expires:……….
Notes
Committee Note
2014 Adoption. This form is for installment payments with acceleration. It omits allegations about junior encumbrances, unpaid taxes, unpaid insurance premiums, other nonmonetary defaults, and for a receiver. Allegations must be added when appropriate. This form may require modification. This form is designed to incorporate the pleading requirements of section 702.015, Florida Statutes (2013), and rule 1.115. It is also designed to comply with section 673.3091, Florida Statutes (2013). Adequate protection as required by sections 702.11 (2013) and 673.3091(2), Florida Statutes (2013), must be provided before the entry of final judgment. FORM 1.944(c) MOTION FOR ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR ENTRY OF FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE 1. Plaintiff is a lienholder of real property located at …..(address)….. or is a …..Condominium Association/Cooperative Association/Homeowner’s Association…… 2. The plaintiff has filed a verified complaint in conformity with applicable law, which is attached. 3. The plaintiff requests this court issue an order requiring defendant(s) to appear before the court to show cause why a final judgment of foreclosure should not be entered against defendant(s). 4. The date of the hearing may not occur sooner than the later of 20 days after service of the order to show cause or 45 days after service of the initial complaint. OR COMMENT: Use the following when service is by publication: 4. When service is obtained by publication, the date for the hearing may not be set sooner than 30 days after the first publication. 5. The accompanying proposed order to show cause affords defendant(s) all the rights and obligations as contemplated by applicable law. 6. Upon the entry of the order to show cause, plaintiff shall serve a copy of the executed order to show cause for entry of final judgment as required by law. Plaintiff requests the court review this complaint and grant this motion for order to show cause for entry of final judgment of foreclosure, and grant such further relief as may be awarded at law or in equity. Plaintiff Certificate of Service
Committee Note
2014 Adoption. This form is designed to comply with section 702.10, Florida Statutes (2013). FORM 1.944(d) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE THIS CAUSE has come before the court on …..plaintiff’s/lien holder’s….. motion for order to show cause for entry of final judgment of mortgage foreclosure and the court having reviewed the motion and the verified complaint, and being otherwise fully advised in the circumstances, finds and it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that: 1. The defendant(s) shall appear at a hearing on foreclosure on …..(date)….. at …..(time)….. before the undersigned judge, in the …..(county)….. Courthouse at …..(address)….., to show cause why the attached final judgment of foreclosure should not be entered against the defendant(s) in this cause. This hearing referred to in this order is a “show cause hearing.” 2. This ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE shall be served on the defendant(s) in accordance with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable law as follows: a. If the defendant(s) has/have been served under Chapter 48, Florida Statutes, with the verified complaint and original process has already been effectuated, service of this order may be made in the manner provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure; or, if the other party is a plaintiff in the action, service of the order to show cause on that party may be made in the manner provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. b. If the defendant(s) has/have not been served under Chapter 48, Florida Statutes, with the verified complaint and original process, the order to show cause, together with the summons and a copy of the verified complaint, shall be served on the party in the same manner as provided by law for original process. 3. The filing of defenses by a motion or verified answer at or before the show cause hearing constitutes cause for which the court may not enter the attached final judgment. 4. Defendant(s) has/have the right to file affidavits or other papers at the time of the show cause hearing and may appear at the hearing personally or by an attorney. 5. If defendant(s) file(s) motions, they may be considered at the time of the show cause hearing. 6. Defendant(s)’ failure to appear either in person or by an attorney at the show cause hearing or to file defenses by motion or by a verified or sworn answer, affidavits, or other papers which raise a genuine issue of material fact which would preclude entry of summary judgment or which would otherwise constitute a legal defense to foreclosure, after being served as provided by law with the order to show cause, will be deemed presumptively a waiver of the right to a hearing. In such case, the court may enter a final judgment of foreclosure ordering the clerk of the court to conduct a foreclosure sale. An order requiring defendant(s) to vacate the premises may also be entered. 7. If the mortgage provides for reasonable attorneys’ fees and the requested fee does not exceed 3% of the principal amount owed at the time the complaint is filed, the court may not need to hold a hearing to adjudge the requested fee to be reasonable. 8. Any final judgment of foreclosure entered under section 702.10(1) Florida Statutes, shall be only for in rem relief; however, entry of such final judgment of foreclosure shall not preclude entry of an in personam money damages judgment or deficiency judgment where otherwise allowed by law. 9. A copy of the proposed final judgment is attached and will be entered by the court if defendant(s) waive(s) the right to be heard at the show cause hearing. DONE AND ORDERED at …..(county)….., Florida …..(date)…… CIRCUIT JUDGE Copies to:
Committee Note
2014 Adoption. This form is designed to comply with section 702.10(1), Florida Statutes (2013).