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Gamez v. First Union National Bank of Florida

Citations: 31 So. 3d 220; 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 2943; 2010 WL 785936Docket: No. 4D09-3130

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida; March 9, 2010; Florida; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The case involves an appeal by the appellants against a trial court's order denying their motion to quash or vacate a previous order authorizing the levy and execution sale of their real property. The appellants argued that their procedural due process rights were violated due to inadequate notice and failure to be properly included as parties. The dispute arose after Angela Volmar's inherited property was subjected to a judgment lien, which was later transferred to Cypress Recovery Corporation. Cypress sought to execute the lien, leading to the appellants' challenge based on alleged statutory violations under Florida law, particularly sections 56.29 and 56.21 regarding supplementary proceedings and notice requirements. The court affirmed the trial court's decision, finding that the notice procedures outlined in section 56.21 were adequately followed, and emphasizing that purchasers are subject to existing liens. The court also noted the statutory amendments affecting lien duration, rendering the appellants' procedural arguments insufficient to overturn the trial court's order. As a result, the motion to quash or vacate the execution sale was denied, upholding the levy on the property.

Legal Issues Addressed

Application of Section 56.29 of the Florida Statutes

Application: Cypress Recovery Corporation argued that section 56.29, which pertains to supplementary proceedings for personal property, was misapplied in this case involving real property.

Reasoning: Cypress refers to In re Hinton, which clarifies that the court's powers under section 56.29 apply only to personal property, not real property.

Duration and Re-recording of Judgment Liens

Application: The court acknowledged the amendment of section 55.10, which extended the duration of judgment liens from seven to ten years, requiring re-recording for validity.

Reasoning: Section 55.10 of the Florida Statutes previously established a seven-year lien duration for judgments, which was amended to ten years, requiring rerecording thereafter.

Judgment Liens and Purchasers of Real Property

Application: The court noted that purchasers of real property are subject to existing judgment liens and are presumed to be aware of them under Florida law.

Reasoning: Florida case law establishes that purchasers of real property, like the Gamezes, are aware of existing judgment liens and are subject to them.

Notice Requirements Under Section 56.21

Application: The court found that the notice requirements set forth in section 56.21, which include advertisements and certified mail, were adequately followed, thereby protecting due process rights.

Reasoning: Section 56.21 outlines the notice requirements for execution sales of real property, mandating advertisements and certified mail notifications to the debtor.

Procedural Due Process in Execution Sales

Application: The appellants claimed violation of due process rights due to lack of proper notice and opportunity to be heard before the levy and execution sale of their real property.

Reasoning: They contend that the order was issued in violation of their procedural due process rights.