Florida Judgment: Types, Records, Duration, and What to Expect

A judgment is the decision of the court, which resolves a claim and defines the rights and obligations of the parties. Restitution orders, property suits, family law disputes, and civil suits are some of the most typical sources of judgments or verdicts in Florida. Once entered, a judgment is legally enforceable and may result in long-term impact to credit, liens against property, or garnishment of wages.

What Is a Judgment in Florida?

A judgment represents a type of judgment, and it is a final order, appealable in Florida. It is the judgment that vests enforcement and legally ends trial court jurisdiction over the case. It could be a judgment ordering one side to stop doing something, repay a loan, pay alimony, or transfer property.

Under state law, judgments have legal authority from the point of recording and are enforced until satisfied or expired. A judgment in an amount of money generally appears under Florida Statute Section 55.01. The sum awarded by judgment may be for a specific sum without any distinction therein made as to whether such sum was recovered by way of debt or damages. In this case, the judgment is the legal document that puts a winner of a lawsuit in a position to receive a certain amount of money.

In Florida, judgments are final and often have severe and long-lasting financial and legal obligations.

Types of Judgments in Florida

Judgments in Florida fall into several categories, depending on the case:

Money Judgments

This is a kind of final decision expressly directs one party to provide another party with a certain amount of money is called a money judgment. This is a typical result of civil litigation and is susceptible to many forms of collection, including liens and garnishment. It is one of the more common judgments passed in Florida.

Default Judgments

A default judgment occurs when a defendant fails to respond to a lawsuit or misses a scheduled hearing. In these cases, the plaintiff automatically wins, and the court enters judgment based on the requested relief.

Summary Judgments

A court may render a summary judgment instead of a full trial. When the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law and there are no legitimate questions of material fact in dispute, it is granted. When the facts are uncontested, this procedural instrument is employed to accelerate the process.

Final Judgments

This is generally the most prevalent kind of judgment. It is the court's conclusive ruling that ends the case altogether. The legal matter is resolved, and the court's only remaining task is to enforce the ruling.

Foreign Judgments

This is a court ruling from a different state or nation. These decisions are recognized and enforced by Florida law according to a particular procedure, giving them the same legal weight as a judgment rendered by a Florida court.

How to Search for Judgments in Florida

Judgment records are public in Florida and can be accessed in several ways:

1. Clerk of Court Offices – Records of decisions and cases are kept by eachcounty clerk. People can seek certified copies of records or conduct in-person searches.
2. Online County Portals – Many Florida counties maintain online databases where you can search judgments by name, case number, or filing date.
3. Florida Courts Online Services – The Florida Courts E-Filing and Case Search systems link to county-level portals for accessing civil and family judgments.
4. Third-Party Record Services – Although official court records are the most trustworthy source of judgment records, there are paid suppliers that can offer such records throughout the state. Despite their potential cost-effectiveness, you should ensure that the platforms you use have updated information. A major plus of using these platforms is their ability to compile judgment records from all county jurisdictions.

Judgment records typically include:

• Case number
• Names of the parties
• Court location
• The date judgment was entered
• Judgment amount or relief granted

Judgment Records in Major Florida Counties

Due to its large number of counties - Florida has 67 counties. Each clerk oversees their court’s judgment records. Major counties in Florida include:

• Miami-Dade County (Miami): Judgment records for this county are available both in person at the courthouse and online via the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts portal.
• Broward County (Fort Lauderdale): Certified copies are accessible at the courthouse, and the Broward County Clerk of Courts has an online case search system..
• Orange County (Orlando): Online records for civil and family matters, including judgments, are kept up to date by the Orange County Clerk of Courts. It is possible to request certified records in person.

While procedures are generally similar statewide, fees, online access, and search tools may vary by county. As such, it is important to check the local clerk’s website to ensure the most accurate information.

How Long Does a Judgment Last in Florida?

Civil judgments in Florida are enforceable and valid for 20 years after the date of entry. However, if correctly filed with the Florida Department of State, judgment liens can be renewed for an additional ten years, even though they normally last for ten.

This implies that if the judgment is not settled, debtors may experience long-term financial repercussions and that creditors may pursue collection for 20 years.

What Happens After a Judgment Is Entered in Florida?

Once a judgment is entered, creditors may enforce it using several methods, while debtors must manage the financial and legal effects.

For Creditors:

• Wage Garnishment: Creditors can obtain a court order to withhold part of a debtor’s wages until the judgment is satisfied.
• Judgment Liens: Creditors can place a lien on personal or real estate, preventing its sale or refinance until the debt is paid off..
• Bank Levies: Creditors may collect funds directly from the debtor’s bank account with court approval.

For Debtors:

• Credit Reporting: Judgments can show up on a credit report, decreasing scores and hindering access to loans or housing.
• Satisfaction of Judgment: The creditor has to formally release the debtor from obligation by filing a Satisfaction of Judgment with the court once the debt is paid.
• Appeal or Motion to Vacate: Debtors who believe a judgment was entered incorrectly (i.e., they didn't appear for a default judgment) may seek to appeal or have the court vacate it.