Title: In Re: Amendments To The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure – Form 1.996 (Final Judgment of Foreclosure)
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC09-1579
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: December 9, 2010

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-1460 
____________ 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL 
PROCEDURE. 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-1579 
____________ 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL 
PROCEDURE - FORM 1.996 (FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE). 
 
[February 11, 2010] 
REVISED ON REHEARING 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
In case number SC09-1460, the Task Force on Residential Mortgage 
Foreclosure Cases has proposed an amendment to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 
1.110 (General Rules of Pleading) and two new Forms for Use with Rules of Civil 
Procedure.  In case number SC09-1579, the Civil Procedure Rules Committee has 
proposed amendments to form 1.996 (Final Judgment of Foreclosure) of the Forms 
for Use with Rules of Civil Procedure.  We have consolidated these cases for the 
purposes of this opinion.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
 
  
- 2 -  
 
Case No. SC09-1460 
By administrative order on March 27, 2009, the Task Force on Residential 
Mortgage Foreclosure Cases (Task Force) was ―established to recommend to the 
Supreme Court policies, procedures, strategies, and methods for easing the backlog 
of pending residential mortgage foreclosure cases while protecting the rights of 
parties.‖  In re  Task Force on Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Cases, Fla. 
Admin. Order No. AOSC09-8, at 2 (March 27, 2009) (on file with Clerk of the 
Florida Supreme Court).  The recommendations could ―include mediation and 
other alternate dispute resolution strategies, case management techniques, and 
approaches to providing pro bono or low-cost legal assistance to homeowners.‖  Id.  
The Task Force was also specifically asked to ―examine existing court rules and 
propose new rules or rule changes that will facilitate early, equitable resolution of 
residential mortgage foreclosure cases.‖  Id.   
In response to this charge, the Task Force has filed a petition proposing 
amendments to the civil procedure rules and forms. 1  After submission to the 
                                          
 
 
1.  The Task Force also submitted a companion report entitled ―Final Report 
and Recommendations on Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Cases.‖  The report 
urges the adoption of the proposed rule amendments and also contains 
administrative recommendations. The main recommendation in the report is the 
approval of a Model Administrative Order for a managed mediation program for 
residential mortgage foreclosure actions for use by the chief judges.  The report 
was address separately as an administrative matter.  The Task Force’s petition also 
  
- 3 -  
Court, the proposals were published for comment on an expedited basis.   
Comments were received from Legal Services of Greater Miami, the Florida 
Justice Institute and Florida Legal Services, Inc;  the Housing and Consumer 
Umbrella Groups of Florida Legal Services;  Legal Services of North Florida, Inc., 
and North Florida Center for Equal Justice, Inc.;  the Florida Bankers Association; 
Florida Default Law Group;  Ben-Ezra & Katz, P.A.;  Thomas H. Bateman III and 
Janet E. Ferris;  Henry P. Trawick, Jr.;  and Lisa Epstein.  Oral argument was heard 
in this matter on November 4, 2009.  Upon consideration of the Task Force’s 
petition, the comments filed and responses thereto, and the presentations of the 
parties at oral argument, we adopt the Task Force’s proposals with minor 
modifications as discussed below. 
 
First, rule 1.110(b) is amended to require verification of mortgage 
foreclosure complaints involving residential real property.  The primary purposes 
of this amendment are (1) to provide incentive for the plaintiff to appropriately 
investigate and verify its ownership of the note or right to enforce the note and 
                                                                                                                                        
recommended amendments to form 1.997 (Civil Coversheet).  However, the Civil 
Coversheet was the subject of another case, case number SC08-1141, and the Task 
Force’s proposals with regard to the Civil Coversheet were addressed in that case.  
See In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure—Management of Cases 
Involving Complex Litigation, 34 Fla. L. Weekly S576 (Fla. Oct. 15, 2009).    
 
  
 
  
- 4 -  
ensure that the allegations in the complaint are accurate; (2) to conserve judicial 
resources that are currently being wasted on inappropriately pleaded ―lost note‖ 
counts and inconsistent allegations; (3) to prevent the wasting of judicial resources 
and harm to defendants resulting from suits brought by plaintiffs not entitled to 
enforce the note; and (4) to give trial courts greater authority to sanction plaintiffs 
who make false allegations.   
 
Next, the Task Force proposed a new form Affidavit of Diligent Search and 
Inquiry.  In its petition, the Task Force explained that many foreclosure cases are 
served by publication.  The new form is meant to help standardize affidavits of 
diligent search and inquiry and provide information to the court regarding the 
methods used to attempt to locate and serve the defendant.  We adopt this form as 
new form 1.924, with several modifications.   
 
The form, as proposed by the Task Force, provides spaces for the affiant to 
check off, from a list, the various actions taken to discover the current residence of 
the defendant and provides a ―catch-all‖ section where the affiant can ―List all 
additional efforts made to locate defendant.‖  Additionally, it provides a section 
where the affiant can describe ―Attempts to Serve Process and Results.‖  One  
comment to this form, voiced by several interested parties, was that the form 
should be signed by the person actually performing the diligent search and inquiry, 
likely a process server, and not the plaintiff as the form, as originally proposed, 
  
- 5 -  
provided.  The Task Force agreed with this comment.  Thus, we modify the form 
to incorporate this change.       
Next, although the Task Force stated in its petition that a significant 
provision of the new form was the ―additional criteria [sic] that if the process 
server serves an occupant in the property, he inquires of that occupant whether he 
knows the location of the borrower-defendant,‖ the proposed form does not include 
this provision.  The Honorable Thomas McGrady, Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial 
Circuit, raised this point in his comment and suggested the following provision be 
added to the form: ―I inquired of the occupant of the premises whether the 
occupant knows the location of the borrower-defendant, with the following results: 
________.‖  Again, the Task Force agreed with this suggestion, and we modify the 
form to incorporate it. 
Finally, section 49.041, Florida Statutes (2009), sets forth the minimum 
requirements for an affidavit of diligent search and inquiry and states as follows:   
The sworn statement of the plaintiff, his or her agent or 
attorney, for service of process by publication against a natural 
person, shall show: 
(1) That diligent search and inquiry have been made to discover 
the name and residence of such person, and that the same is set forth 
in said sworn statement as particularly as is known to the affiant; and 
(2) Whether such person is over or under the age of 18 years, if 
his or her age is known, or that the person's age is unknown; and 
(3) In addition to the above, that the residence of such person is, 
either: 
(a) Unknown to the affiant; or 
  
- 6 -  
(b) In some state or country other than this state, stating said 
residence if known; or 
(c) In the state, but that he or she has been absent from the state 
for more than 60 days next preceding the making of the sworn 
statement, or conceals himself or herself so that process cannot be 
personally served, and that affiant believes that there is no person in 
the state upon whom service of process would bind said absent or 
concealed defendant. 
 
§ 49.041, Fla. Stat. (2009).  The form as proposed by the Task Force contains the 
required information, except for a statement whether the person is over or under 
the age of eighteen or that the person’s age is unknown.  Thus, we modify the 
affidavit form to include this information.  
Finally, we adopt the Task Force’s proposed Motion to Cancel and 
Reschedule Foreclosure Sale as new form 1.996(b).  The Task Force recommended 
adoption of this new form in which the plaintiff would provide the court with an 
explanation of why the foreclosure sale needs to be cancelled and request that the 
court reschedule the sale.  As the reason for this proposal, the Task Force stated in 
its petition: 
Currently, many foreclosure sales set by the final judgment and 
handled by the clerks of court are the subject of vague last-minute 
motions to reset sales without giving any specific information as to 
why the sale is being reset.  It is important to know why sales are 
being reset so as to determine when they can properly be reset, or 
whether the sales process is being abused. . . . Again, this is designed 
at promoting effective case management and keeping properties out of 
extended limbo between final judgment and sale. 
 
  
- 7 -  
We adopt this form with minor stylistic and grammatical modifications as 
suggested in the comments and agreed to by the Task Force.   
Case No. SC09-1579 
In this case, the Civil Procedure Rules Committee has filed an out-of-cycle 
report under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.140(e), proposing 
amendments to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure Form 1.996 (Final Judgment of 
Foreclosure).  The Committee proposes amendments to this form in order to bring 
it into conformity with current statutory provisions and requirements.  The 
Committee’s proposal also includes several changes suggested by The Florida 
Bar’s Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section to improve the form’s clarity 
and readability and better conform to prevailing practices in the courts.2  Upon 
consideration, we adopt the proposed amendments to form 1.996, with one 
exception, as further explained below.   
                                          
 
2.  Prior to submitting this proposal to the Court, the committee published it 
for comment.  One comment was received suggesting that, in addition to the other 
amendments proposed by the committee, provisions for specific findings as to the 
reasonable number of hours and the reasonable hourly rate for an award of 
attorneys’ fees be added to paragraph one of the form. The committee initially took 
the position that the comment suggested a change unrelated to its proposed 
amendments and that the committee would consider it in its 2013 regular-cycle 
report.  Subsequently, however, the committee filed an additional response in 
which it agreed with the comment and recommended that the suggested change be 
made in this case.  We agree with the committee that this additional change is 
appropriate and, accordingly, we include it in the amendments adopted in this case.          
 
  
- 8 -  
First, to conform to current statutory requirements, a notice to lienholders 
and directions to property owners as to how to claim a right to funds remaining 
after public auction is added to the form.  See § 45.031(1), Fla. Stat. (2009).  
Additionally, to conform to current statutory provisions allowing the clerk of court 
to conduct judicial sales via electronic means, the form is amended to 
accommodate this option.  See § 45.031(10), Fla. Stat. (2009).   
Other amendments are as follows:  (1) in order to provide greater clarity and 
prevent errors, paragraph one of the form is amended to set out amounts due in a 
column format; (2) paragraph two is amended to allow for the possibility that there 
may be more than one defendant, and out of concern for privacy interests, the lines 
for an address and social security number are deleted;  (3) paragraph four is 
amended to conform to existing practice and require a successful purchaser to pay 
the documentary stamps on the certificate of title; (4) paragraph six is amended to 
accommodate the possibility that there may be multiple defendants, to adapt to the 
requirements of section 45.0315, Florida Statutes (2009), stating that the right of 
redemption expires upon the filing of the certificate of sale, unless otherwise 
specified in the judgment, to recognize the potential  survival of certain liens after 
foreclosure as provided in chapter 718 (the Condominium Act) and chapter 720 
(Homeowners’ Association), Florida Statutes (2009),  and to allow a purchaser to 
obtain a writ of possession from the clerk of court without further order of the 
  
- 9 -  
court.3   As noted, these amendments were suggested to the committee by The 
Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section to improve the form’s 
clarity and readability and better conform to prevailing practices in the courts.   
However, one of the changes suggested by the Real Property, Probate, and 
Trust Law Section and incorporated by the committee into its proposal was the 
addition of a new paragraph stating that a foreclosure sale shall not begin until a 
representative of the plaintiff is present and that the plaintiff has the right to cancel 
the sale upon notice to the clerk.  Obviously, including such a provision, as 
standard, in the final judgment of foreclosure form would be at odds with our 
adoption of new form 1.996(b) (Motion to Cancel and Reschedule Foreclosure 
Sale).  Accordingly, we decline to adopt this particular amendment.  Also, in light 
of our adoption of the Motion to Cancel and Reschedule Foreclosure Sale as new 
form 1.996(b), we renumber the Final Judgment of Foreclosure Form as form 
1.996(a).      
Conclusion 
Accordingly, the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and the Forms for Use 
with Rules of Civil Procedure are hereby amended as set forth in the appendix to 
this opinion.  New language is underscored; deleted language is struck through.  
                                          
 
3.  An explanatory committee note is also added. 
 
  
- 10 -  
Committee notes are offered for explanation only and are not adopted as an official 
part of the rules.  The amendments shall become effective immediately upon the 
release of this opinion.   Because the amendments to form 1.996(a) (Final 
Judgment of Foreclosure) were not published by the Court for comment prior to 
their adoption, interested persons shall have sixty days from the date of this 
opinion in which to file comments, on those amendments only, with the Court.4 
It is so ordered. 
QUINCE, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, LABARGA, and PERRY, JJ., concur. 
CANADY, J., concurs in part and dissents in part with an opinion, in which 
POLSTON, J., concurs. 
 
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND 
IF FILED, DETERMINED. 
 
 
CANADY, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part. 
 
Because I am concerned that requiring prior judicial approval for the 
cancellation of foreclosure sales may produce untoward results, I dissent from the 
                                          
 
 
4.  An original and nine paper copies of all comments must be filed with the 
Court on or before April 12, 2010, with a certificate of service verifying that a 
copy has been served on the Committee Chair, Mark A. Romance, 201 S. Biscayne 
Blvd, Suite 1000, Miami, FL 33131-4327, as well as separate request for oral 
argument if the person filing the comment wishes to participate in oral argument, 
which may be scheduled in this case.  The Committee Chair has until May 3, 2010, 
to file a response to any comments filed with the Court.  Electronic copies of all 
comments and responses also must be filed in accordance with the Court's 
administrative order in In re Mandatory Submission of Electronic Copies of 
Documents, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC04-84 (Sept. 13, 2004). 
  
- 11 -  
adoption of form 1.996(b).  I would have instead adopted the proposal suggested 
by the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section for the addition of a 
paragraph to the form final judgment of foreclosure stating that a foreclosure sale 
shall not begin until a representative of the plaintiff is present and that the plaintiff 
has the right to cancel the sale upon notice to the clerk. 
POLSTON, J., concurs. 
 
 
 
Two Cases: 
 
Original Proceeding – Florida Rules of Civil Procedure  
 
Mark A. Romance, Chair, Civil Procedure Rules Committee, Miami, Florida; 
Jennifer D. Bailey, Chair, Task Force on Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Cases, 
Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami, Florida and Alan B. Bookman, Task Force on 
Residential Mortgage Foreclosures, Pensacola, Florida; John F. Harkness, Jr., 
Executive Director, and Madelon Horwich, Bar Staff Liaison, The Florida Bar, 
Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioners 
 
 
Henry P. Trawick, Jr., Sarasota, Florida; Virginia Townes of Akerman, Senterfitt, 
Orlando, Florida on behalf of The Florida Bankers Association; Marc A. Ben-Ezra 
of Ben-Ezra and Katz, P.A., Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Carolina A. Lombardi, 
Marcia K. Cypen, and John W. McLuskey, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., 
Miami, Florida, Kendall Coffey and Jeffrey B. Crockett of Coffey Burlington, 
LLP, Miami, Florida, Randall C. Berg, Jr. and Joshua A. Glickman, Florida Justice 
Institute, Inc., Miami, Florida, and Kent R. Spuhler, Florida Legal Services, Inc., 
Tallahassee, Florida; B. Elaine New, Court Counsel, on behalf of J. Thomas 
McGrady, Chief Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit, St. Petersburg, Florida; Alice M. 
Vickers, Florida Legal Services, Inc., Tallahassee, Florida, Lynn Drysdale, 
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida, Jeffrey Hearne, Legal 
Services of Greater Miami, Inc., Miami, Florida, and James R. Carr, Florida Rural 
  
- 12 -  
Legal Services, Inc., Lakeland, Florida, on behalf of  the Housing Umbrella Group 
and the Consumer Umbrella Group of Florida Legal Services, Inc.; Scott Manion, 
Tallahassee, Florida, on behalf o f Legal Services of North Florida, Inc.; Edward J. 
Grunewald, Tallahassee, Florida, on behalf of The North Florida Center for Equal 
Justice, Inc.; Thomas H. Bateman, III of Messer, Caparello, and Self, P.A., 
Tallahassee, Florida, and Janet E. Ferris, Tallahassee, Florida; Ronald R. Wolfe, 
Tampa, Florida, Suzanne Barto Hill of Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, Orlando, 
Florida, and Roy A. Diaz of Smith, Hiatt and Diaz, P.A., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 
on behalf of Florida Default Law Group, P.L.; Judge William D. Palmer, Chair, 
Committee on ADR Rules and Policy, Fifth District Court of Appeal, Daytona 
Beach, Florida, on behalf of the Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute 
Resolution Rules and Policy; Lisa Epstein, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Terry 
Resk of Haile, Shaw and Pfaffenberger, P.A., North Palm Beach, Florida, 
 
 
Responding with comments 
 
 
 
  
13  
APPENDIX 
 
RULE 1.110. 
GENERAL RULES OF PLEADING 
 
 
(a) 
[no change] 
 
 
(b) 
Claims for Relief. A pleading which sets forth a claim for relief, 
whether an original claim, counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party claim, must 
state a cause of action and shall contain (1) a short and plain statement of the 
grounds upon which the court’s jurisdiction depends, unless the court already has 
jurisdiction and the claim needs no new grounds of jurisdiction to support it, (2) a 
short and plain statement of the ultimate facts showing that the pleader is entitled 
to relief, and (3) a demand for judgment for the relief to which the pleader deems 
himself or herself entitled. Relief in the alternative or of several different types 
may be demanded. Every complaint shall be considered to demand general relief. 
 
When filing an action for foreclosure of a mortgage on residential real property the 
complaint shall be verified.  When verification of a document is required, the 
document filed shall include an oath, affirmation, or the following statement: 
 
―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.‖   
 
 
(c) - (h) [no change] 
 
Committee Notes 
[no change] 
 
 
 
 
  
14  
FORM 1.924.  
AFFIDAVIT OF DILIGENT SEARCH AND INQUIRY 
 
 
I, (full legal name) _________________________ (individually or an Employee of 
____________________), being sworn, certify that the following information is true: 
 
1. 
I have made diligent search and inquiry to discover the current residence of 
____________________,who is [over 18 years old] [under 18 years old]                    
[age is unknown] (circle one).  Refer to checklist below and identify all actions 
taken (any additional information included such as the date the action was 
taken and the person with whom you spoke is helpful) (attach additional 
sheet if necessary): 
 
[check all that apply] 
 
_____  Inquiry of Social Security Information 
 
_____ Telephone listings in the last known locations of defendant's residence 
 
_____  Statewide directory assistance search 
 
_____  Internet people finder search {specify sites searched} 
 
_____  Voter Registration in the area where defendant was last known to reside.  
 
_____  Nationwide Masterfile Death Search 
 
_____  Tax Collector's records in area where defendant was last known to reside. 
 
_____  Tax Assessor's records in area where defendant was last known to reside 
 
_____  Department of Motor vehicle records in the state of defendant's last known address 
 
_____  Driver's License records search in the state of defendant's last known address. 
 
_____  Department of Corrections records in the state of defendant's last known address. 
 
__ __   Federal Prison records search. 
 
 _____ Regulatory agencies for professional or occupational licensing. 
 
_____  Inquiry to determine if defendant is in military service. 
 
_____  Last known employment of defendant. 
 
{List all additional efforts made to locate defendant}  
__________________________________________________________________ 
 
  
15  
__________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________ 
 
Attempts to Serve Process and Results 
__________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________ 
 
____   I inquired of the occupant of the premises whether the occupant knows the location of 
the borrower-defendant, with the following results: 
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
2. 
_________________________ current residence 
 
[check one only] 
 
_____ a. 
_________________________'s current residence is unknown to me 
 
_____  b. 
_________________________'s current residence is in some state or country       
other than Florida and _________________________'s last known address is: 
________________________________________________________ 
________________________________________________________ 
 
_____  c. 
The _________________________, having residence in Florida, has been absent 
from Florida for more than 60 days prior to the date of this affidavit, or conceals 
him (her) self so that process cannot be served personally upon him or her, and I 
believe there is no person in the state upon whom service of process would bind 
this absent or concealed ____________________. 
 
I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims 
made in this affidavit and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement 
includes fines and/or imprisonment. 
 
Dated: _______________ 
_________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
Signature of Affiant 
 
 
 
 
 
Printed Name: _____________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
Address: _____________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
City, State, Zip:____________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
Phone:___________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
Telefacsimile:_____________________________ 
 
 
  
16  
STATE OF ____________________ 
COUNTY OF __________________ 
 
 
Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on this _____ day of 
_____________________, 20         by __________________________________. 
 
 
 
 
NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF _______________ 
 
 
(Print, Type or Stamp Commissioned Name of 
Notary Public) 
 
 
_____ Personally known  
_____ Produced identification 
 
Type of identification produced:  _______________________________________  
 
                                              
 
 
 
NOTE:  This form is used to obtain constructive service on the defendant.   
- 17 - 
FORM 1.996(a). 
FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE 
 
FINAL JUDGMENT 
 
 
This action was tried before the court. On the evidence presented 
 
 
 
IT IS ADJUDGED that: 
 
 
1. 
Plaintiff, .....(name and address)....., is due .................... as principal, $.......... as 
interest to date of this judgment, $.......... for title search expense, $.......... for taxes, $.......... for 
insurance premiums, $.......... for attorneys’ fees, with $.......... for court costs now taxed, less 
$.......... for undisbursed escrow funds and less $.......... for unearned insurance premiums, under 
the note and mortgage sued on in this action, making a total sum of $........., that shall bear 
interest at the rate of .....% a year. 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal 
$.................... 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest to date of this judgment 
.................... 
 
 
 
 
 
Title search expense 
.................... 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxes 
.................... 
 
 
 
 
 
Attorneys’ fees 
 
 
       Finding as to reasonable number of hours: .................... 
 
       Finding as to reasonable hourly rate: 
        .................... 
    
 
 
 
          Attorneys’ fees total 
................... 
 
 
 
 
 
Court costs, now taxed 
.................... 
 
 
 
 
 
Other: ..................... 
.................... 
 
 
 
 
Subtotal 
$................... 
 
 
 
 
 
LESS: Escrow balance 
.................... 
 
 
 
 
 
LESS: Other .................... 
.................... 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL 
$................... 
 
that shall bear interest at the rate of .....% a year. 
 
 
2. 
Plaintiff holds a lien for the total sum superior to anyall claims or estates of 
defendant(s), .....(name and address, and social security number if known)....., on the following 
described property in .................... County, Florida: 
 
 
 
- 18 - 
(describe property) 
 
 
3. 
If the total sum with interest at the rate described in paragraph 1 and all costs 
accrued subsequent to this judgment are not paid, the clerk of this court shall sell the property at 
public sale on .....(date)....., between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to the highest bidder for cash, 
except as prescribed in paragraph 4, at the ..... door of the courthouse inlocated at .....(street 
address of courthouse)..... in .................... County in .........................(name of city)....., Florida, in 
accordance with section 45.031, Florida Statutes., using the following method (CHECK ONE): 
 
 
□ 
At .....(location of sale at courthouse; e.g., north door)....., beginning at .....(time of 
sale)..... on the prescribed date. 
 
 
□ 
By electronic sale beginning at .....(time of sale)..... on the prescribed date at 
.....(website)...... 
 
 
4. 
Plaintiff shall advance all subsequent costs of this action and shall be reimbursed 
for them by the clerk if plaintiff is not the purchaser of the property for sale, provided, however, 
that the purchaser of the property for sale shall be responsible for the documentary stamps 
payable on the certificate of title. If plaintiff is the purchaser, the clerk shall credit plaintiff’s bid 
with the total sum with interest and costs accruing subsequent to this judgment, or such part of it, 
as is necessary to pay the bid in full. 
 
 
5. 
On filing the certificate of title the clerk shall distribute the proceeds of the sale, 
so far as they are sufficient, by paying: first, all of plaintiff’s costs; second, documentary stamps 
affixed to the certificate; third, plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees; fourth, the total sum due to plaintiff, 
less the items paid, plus interest at the rate prescribed in paragraph 1 from this date to the date of 
the sale; and by retaining any remaining amount pending the further order of this court. 
 
 
6. 
On filing the certificate of titlesale, defendant(s) and all persons claiming under or 
against defendant(s) since the filing of the notice of lis pendens shall be foreclosed of all estate 
or claim in the property and the purchaser at the sale, except as to claims or rights under chapter 
718 or chapter 720, Florida Statutes, if any. Upon the filing of the certificate of title, the person 
named on the certificate of title shall be let into possession of the property. If any defendant 
remains in possession of the property, the clerk shall without further order of the court issue 
forthwith a writ of possession upon request of the person named on the certificate of title. 
 
 
7. 
Jurisdiction of this action is retained to enter further orders that are proper 
including, without limitation, writs of possession and a deficiency judgment. 
 
IF THIS PROPERTY IS SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION, THERE MAY BE 
ADDITIONAL MONEY FROM THE SALE AFTER PAYMENT OF PERSONS WHO 
ARE ENTITLED TO BE PAID FROM THE SALE PROCEEDS PURSUANT TO THE 
FINAL JUDGMENT. 
 
IF YOU ARE A SUBORDINATE LIENHOLDER CLAIMING A RIGHT TO FUNDS 
REMAINING AFTER THE SALE, YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM WITH THE CLERK 
 
 
- 19 - 
NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE SALE. IF YOU FAIL TO FILE A CLAIM, 
YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY REMAINING FUNDS. 
 
[If the property being foreclosed on has qualified for the homestead tax exemption in the most 
recent approved tax roll, the final judgment shall additionally contain the following statement in 
conspicuous type:] 
IF YOU ARE THE PROPERTY OWNER, YOU MAY CLAIM THESE FUNDS 
YOURSELF. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A LAWYER OR ANY OTHER 
REPRESENTATION AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ASSIGN YOUR RIGHTS TO 
ANYONE ELSE IN ORDER FOR YOU TO CLAIM ANY MONEY TO WHICH YOU 
ARE ENTITLED. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT, (INSERT 
INFORMATION FOR APPLICABLE COURT) WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER THE SALE TO 
SEE IF THERE IS ADDITIONAL MONEY FROM THE FORECLOSURE SALE THAT 
THE CLERK HAS IN THE REGISTRY OF THE COURT. 
 
IF YOU DECIDE TO SELL YOUR HOME OR HIRE SOMEONE TO HELP YOU 
CLAIM THE ADDITIONAL MONEY, YOU SHOULD READ VERY CAREFULLY ALL 
PAPERS YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN, ASK SOMEONE ELSE, PREFERABLY AN 
ATTORNEY WHO IS NOT RELATED TO THE PERSON OFFERING TO HELP YOU, 
TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING AND THAT 
YOU ARE NOT TRANSFERRING YOUR PROPERTY OR THE EQUITY IN YOUR 
PROPERTY WITHOUT THE PROPER INFORMATION. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD 
TO PAY AN ATTORNEY, YOU MAY CONTACT (INSERT LOCAL OR NEAREST 
LEGAL AID OFFICE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER) TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY 
FINANCIALLY FOR THEIR SERVICES. IF THEY CANNOT ASSIST YOU, THEY 
MAY BE ABLE TO REFER YOU TO A LOCAL BAR REFERRAL AGENCY OR 
SUGGEST OTHER OPTIONS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO CONTACT (NAME OF LOCAL 
OR NEAREST LEGAL AID OFFICE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER) FOR ASSISTANCE, 
YOU SHOULD DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE. 
 
 
ORDERED at ...................., Florida, on .....(date)...... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Judge 
 
 
NOTE: Paragraph 1 must be varied in accordance with the items unpaid, claimed, and 
proven. The form does not provide for an adjudication of junior lienors’ claims nor for 
redemption by the United States of America if it is a defendant. The address of the person who 
claims a lien as a result of the judgment must be included in the judgment in order for the 
judgment to become a lien on real estate when a certified copy of the judgment is recorded. 
Alternatively, an affidavit with this information may be simultaneously recorded. For the specific 
requirements, see section 55.10(1), Florida Statutes; Hott Interiors, Inc. v. Fostock, 721 So. 2d 
1236 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998). The address and social security number (if known) of each person 
against whom the judgment is rendered must be included in the judgment, pursuant to section 
55.01(2), Florida Statutes. 
 
 
 
- 20 - 
Committee Notes 
 
 
1980 Amendment. The reference to writs of assistance in paragraph 7 is changed to writs 
of possession to comply with the consolidation of the 2 writs. 
 
 
2010 Amendment. Mandatory statements of the mortgagee/property owner’s rights are 
included as required by the 2006 amendment to section 45.031, Florida Statutes. Changes are 
also made based on 2008 amendments to section 45.031, Florida Statutes, permitting courts to 
order sale by electronic means. 
 
 
Additional changes were made to bring the form into compliance with chapters 718 and 
720 and section 45.0315, Florida Statutes, and to better align the form with existing practices of 
clerks and practitioners. The breakdown of the amounts due is now set out in column format to 
simplify calculations. The requirement that the form include the address and social security 
number of all defendants was eliminated to protect the privacy interests of those defendants and 
in recognition of the fact that this form of judgment does not create a personal final money 
judgment against the defendant borrower, but rather an in rem judgment against the property. 
The address and social security number of the defendant borrower should be included in any 
deficiency judgment later obtained against the defendant borrower. 
 
 
- 21 - 
FORM 1.996(b). 
MOTION TO CANCEL AND RESCHEDULE  
FORECLOSURE SALE 
 
Plaintiff moves to cancel and reschedule the mortgage foreclosure sale because:   
 
1. On         this Court entered a Final Judgment of Foreclosure pursuant to which a foreclosure 
sale was scheduled for                  , 20   .   
 
2. The sale needs to be canceled for the following reason(s): 
 
 
a._______ Plaintiff and Defendant are continuing to be involved in loss mitigation; 
 
 
b._______ Defendant is negotiating for the sale of the property that is the subject of this 
matter and Plaintiff wants to allow the Defendant an opportunity to sell the property and pay off 
the debt that is due and owing to Plaintiff.   
 
 
c.________ Defendant has entered into a contract to sell the property that is the subject of 
this matter and Plaintiff wants to give the Defendant an opportunity to consummate the sale and 
pay off the debt that is due and owing to Plaintiff.   
 
d.________ Defendant has filed a Chapter ____ Petition under the Federal Bankruptcy 
Code; 
 
 
e.________ Plaintiff has ordered but has not received a statement of value/appraisal for 
the property; 
 
f. _______ Plaintiff and Defendant have entered into a Forbearance Agreement; 
g.________Other  
_____________________________________________________________
 
_____________________________________________________________
 
_____________________________________________________________ 
 
3.  If this Court cancels the foreclosure sale, Plaintiff moves that it be rescheduled. 
 
 
 
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Motion has been furnished by U.S. mail 
postage prepaid, facsimile or hand delivery to                           this ______ day of        , 20   . 
 
 
NOTE.  This form is used to move the court to cancel and reschedule a foreclosure sale.