The 2023 Florida Statutes (including Special Session C)

Title VIII
LIMITATIONS

Chapter 95
LIMITATIONS OF ACTIONS; ADVERSE POSSESSION

View Entire Chapter

F.S. 95.281

95.281 Limitations; instruments encumbering real property.—

(1) The lien of a mortgage or other instrument encumbering real property, herein called mortgage, except those specified in subsection (5), shall terminate after the expiration of the following periods of time:

(a) If the final maturity of an obligation secured by a mortgage is ascertainable from the record of it, 5 years after the date of maturity.

(b) If the final maturity of an obligation secured by a mortgage is not ascertainable from the record of it, 20 years after the date of the mortgage, unless prior to such time the holder of the mortgage:

1. Rerecords the mortgage and includes a copy of the obligation secured by the mortgage so that the final maturity is ascertainable; or

2. Records a copy of the obligation secured by the mortgage from which copy the final maturity is ascertainable and by affidavit identifies the mortgage by its official recording data and certifies that the obligation is the obligation described in the mortgage;

in which case the lien shall terminate 5 years after the date of maturity.

(c) For all obligations, including taxes, paid by the mortgagee, 5 years from the date of payment. A mortgagee shall have no right of subrogation to the lien of the state for taxes paid by the mortgagee to protect the security of his or her mortgage unless he or she obtains an assignment from the state of the tax certificate. Redemption of the tax certificate shall be insufficient for subrogation.

(2) If an extension agreement executed by the mortgagee or the mortgagee’s successors in interest and the mortgagor or the mortgagor’s successors in interest is recorded, the time shall be extended as follows:

(a) If the final maturity of the obligation, as extended, secured by the mortgage is ascertainable from the record of the extension agreement, 5 years after the date of final maturity of the obligation as extended.

(b) If the final maturity of the obligation, as extended, secured by the mortgage is not ascertainable from the record of the extension agreement, 20 years after the date of the extension agreement, unless prior to such time the holder of the mortgage:

1. Rerecords the mortgage and includes a copy of the obligation, as extended, secured by the mortgage so that the final maturity is ascertainable; or

2. Records a copy of the obligation, as extended, secured by the mortgage from which copy the final maturity is ascertainable and by affidavit identifies the mortgage by its official recording data and certifies that the obligation is the obligation described in the mortgage;

in which case the lien shall terminate 5 years after the date of maturity as extended.

(3) If the record of the mortgage shows that it secures an obligation payable in installments and the maturity date of the final installment of the obligation is ascertainable from the record of the mortgage, the time shall run from the maturity date of the final installment.

(4) The time shall be extended only as provided in this law and shall not be extended by any other agreement, nonresidence, disability, part payment, operation of law, or any other method.

(5) This section does not apply to mortgages or deeds of trust executed by any railroad or other public utility corporation or by any receiver or trustee of them or to liens or notices of liens under chapter 713.

History.—ss. 1-7, ch. 22560, 1945; s. 1, ch. 29977, 1955; s. 18, ch. 74-382; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 4, ch. 83-267; s. 3, ch. 83-311; s. 527, ch. 95-147.

Note.—Former ss. 95.28-95.32.

F.S. 95.281 on Google Scholar

F.S. 95.281 on Casetext

Amendments to 95.281

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 95.281

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 95.281.

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases from cite.case.law:

BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON As FOR NATIONSTAR HOME EQUITY TRUST A, v. L. PEDERSEN, J., 706 F. App'x 542 (11th Cir. 2017)

. . . Stat, § 95.281. . . . Stat. § 95.11(2)(b)-(c), § 95.031(1), § 95.281; Smith, 61 F.3d at 1561; Bartram, 211 So.3d at 1012, 1019 . . .

DOE NO. v. NUR- UL- ISLAM ACADEMY, INC. a Ul- a, 217 So. 3d 85 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2017)

. . . and statutes of limitations: (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281 . . .

REVERSE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS, INC. v. UNKNOWN HEIRS, By,, 207 So.3d 917 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2016)

. . . Section 95.281(l)(a), Florida Statutes, clearly and unambiguously provides that a mortgage lien encumbering . . . Section 95.281(l)(b), conversely, establishes an ultimate date when the hen of the mortgage terminates . . .

IN RE S. ANTHONY S. v. LLC U. S., 550 B.R. 577 (M.D. Fla. 2016)

. . . . § 95.281, precluded a foreclosure action by U.S. Bank. . . .

BALAGUER H. v. CHASE HOME FINANCE, LLC,, 190 So. 3d 682 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2016)

. . . null and void, canceled same, and quieted title to the property in favor of the Association”); see § 95.281 . . .

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, v. BEAUVAIS, a, 188 So. 3d 938 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2016)

. . . effect of the majority’s opinion is to conflate the statute of repose for foreclosure ■ actions (section 95.281 . . . Yet, this is precisely what the legislature has already done by enacting section 95.281(l)(a), the statute . . . follows: “(1) The lien of a mortgage ... shall terminate ... 5 years after the date of maturity.” § 95.281 . . . this case, because the maturity date is evident from the face of the mortgage (March 1, 2036), section 95.281 . . . The Legislature, by .its express language, provided that the. mortgage lien under section 95.281(l)(a . . . Therefore, and pursuant to section 95.281(l)(a), the mortgage lien remains valid until March 1, 2041, . . .

IN RE GONZALEZ M. LLC, v., 544 B.R. 716 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 2016)

. . . Stat. 95.281(l)(b), Florida’s statute of repose. . . .

COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC. N. A. BAC LP f k a LP RBS f k a U. S. No. Ca- Of v. R. BURNETTE, R. v. N. A. BAC LP f k a LP RBS f k a U. S., 177 So. 3d 1032 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2015)

. . . See § 95.281, Fla. Stat. (2005). . . . Section 95.281(l)(b), conversely, establishes an ultimate date when the lien of the mortgage terminates . . .

JAMES F. PERRY COMPANY, v. CRSJ, INC., 170 So. 3d 926 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2015)

. . . See § 95.281(l)(a), Fla. Stat. (2018). . . . See § 95.281(2), Fla. . . . in all particulars,” but “also does not comply with the recordation requirements mandated by section 95.281 . . . executed by the mortgage ... and the mortgagor ... is recorded’ ” (brackets in original) (quoting § 95.281 . . . Von Aldenbruck, 765 So.2d 840, 842 (Fla. 4th DCA 2000) (holding that section 95.281 requires that an . . .

IN RE S. ANTHONY,, 534 B.R. 834 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 2015)

. . . . § 95.281(1)(a). . (Debtor’s Fix g Ex. 1 ¶ 6). . (Debtor’s Hr'g Ex. 5). . . . .

STERN, v. BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION,, 112 F. Supp. 3d 1297 (M.D. Fla. 2015)

. . . . § 95.281(1)(a), which provides that a mortgage lien with a readily ascertainable maturity date terminates . . .

SILVER SHELLS CORPORATION, v. ST. MAARTEN AT SILVER SHELLS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., 169 So. 3d 197 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2015)

. . . a reformation claim, not a breach of contract claim, and therefore the claim is subject to section 95.281 . . .

LNB- LLC, v. HSBC BANK USA,, 96 F. Supp. 3d 1358 (S.D. Fla. 2015)

. . . . § 95.281(l)(a) operates as a statute of repose and terminates the mortgage lien 5 years after the maturity . . . New River, Ltd., 900 So.2d 601, 603 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2005) (finding that Section 95.281 “prescribes the . . . As a result of Beauvais and Section 95.281(l)(a), LNB’s Complaint must be dismissed. . . . The application of Section 95.281(l)(a) is not on appeal to the Supreme Court of Florida and therefore . . . Stat. § 95.281 (l)(a) states: "The lien of a mortgage or other instrument encumbering real property, . . .

CCM PATHFINDER PALM HARBOR MANAGEMENT, LLC, v. UNKNOWN HEIRS, OF W. GENDRON, U. S. J. P. C N LLC LLC M. N. A. LLC N. A. LLC a k a M. N. A. J. LLC V. a U. S. s IMPAC C. LLC N. A. FSB N. A. II, A, J. D. LLC IV V XL XL XLII,, 198 So. 3d 3 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2015)

. . . section 95.11(2)(c), Florida Statutes (2013), and by the five-year statute of repose set forth in section 95.281 . . . by the trial court for dismissing Pathfinder’s complaint was the statute of repose found in section 95.281 . . . As a statute of repose, section 95.281(1) operates to terminate a mortgage lien and render it completely . . . We recognize that this application of section 95.281(1) appears to conflict with the purpose of recording . . . Therefore, we are constrained by the language of section 95.281(1) to conclude that the statute of repose . . .

RODRIGUEZ, v. BANK OF AMERICA, N. A. s b m BAC LP f k a LP,, 49 F. Supp. 3d 1154 (S.D. Fla. 2014)

. . . foreclosure under Florida Statute § 95.11(2)(c), and the five-year statute of repose under Florida Statute § 95.281 . . . BANA’s lien continues to exist until barred by the statute of repose contained in Florida Statutes § 95.281 . . . Similarly in this case, § 95.281 is the applicable statute for the lien, and its statute of repose expires . . . As Plaintiffs basis for terminating the lien, she relies on Florida Statute § 95.281(l)(a), which reads . . . Therefore, Florida Statute § 95.281(l)(a) is not triggered until five years later on October 1, 2041. . . .

N. HARDEY M. v. SHELL, 144 So. 3d 668 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2014)

. . . for reformation of the Shells’ deed are barred by the statute of limitations in sections 95.11 and 95.281 . . . Section 95.281(2) provides: “After 20 years from the recording of a deed or the probate of a will purporting . . .

EVERGRENE PARTNERS, INC. v. CITIBANK, N. A. Co., 143 So. 3d 954 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2014)

. . . Citibank filed a motion to dismiss the quiet title action arguing inter alia that section 95.281(1), . . .

B. BROWN, J. L. v. NATIONSCREDIT FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, N. A., 32 So. 3d 661 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2010)

. . . Section 95.051(l)(f) provides: (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281 . . .

CITY OF RIVIERA BEACH, a v. J. REED, S. Co. Jr., 987 So. 2d 168 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2008)

. . . See § 95.281(l)(b), Fla. Stat. (1995). . . .

RAZAK, v. MARINA CLUB OF TAMPA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. a, 968 So. 2d 616 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2007)

. . . Section 95.281(1)(a), Florida Statutes (2004), provides that the lien of a mortgage encumbering real . . . Section 95.281 is considered to be a statue of repose rather than a statute of limitations. Am. . . . Razak argues that section 95.281 is not controlling here because the future advances clause of the mortgage . . . Razak thus suggests that the provisions of section 697.04 prevail over those of section 95.281 when a . . . Accordingly, we conclude that pursuant to section 95.281, the lien created by the mortgage to secure . . .

SOUTH MOTOR COMPANY OF DADE COUNTY, a d b a v. DOKTORCZYK,, 957 So. 2d 1215 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2007)

. . . provides in pertinent part: (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281 . . .

CADLE COMPANY, v. McCARTHA,, 920 So. 2d 144 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2006)

. . . 95.051(l)(f), Florida Statutes: (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281 . . .

AMERICAN BANKERS LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF FLORIDA, v. WEST CORPORATION,, 905 So. 2d 189 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2005)

. . . In that reply, American Bankers sought to avoid 2275 West’s claim that section 95.281 barred foreclosure . . . Section 95.281(l)(a), of the Florida Statutes provides that the lien created by a mortgage terminates . . . Section 95.281(l)(b), conversely, establishes an ultimate date when the lien of the mortgage terminates . . . Under section 95.281(l)(a), American Bankers had until September 15, 1998 to enforce its lien. . . . The correspondence also does not comply with the recordation requirements mandated by section 95.281( . . .

HOUCK CORPORATION, v. NEW RIVER, LTD. PASCO,, 900 So. 2d 601 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2005)

. . . Houck asserts that the applicable statute of limitations is twenty years as set forth in section 95.281 . . . We conclude that section 95.281 is a statute of repose that prescribes the enforceable life of a mortgage . . . While the duration of a lien is determined by section 95.281(l)(b), section 95.281(l)(b) does not constitute . . . In 1974, section 95.28 was amended and replaced by section 95.281. . . . , the reference to section 95.281 as a “statute of limitations” is unfortunate. . . .

SCHROEDER a k a J. v. R. MANCERI, L., 893 So. 2d 603 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2005)

. . . Under section 95.281, Florida Statutes, which concerns limitations on foreclosure actions, the right . . . However, this court found that section 95.281 requires an extension of the final maturity date to be . . . In the instant case, because there is no issue raised involving the application of section 95.281 or . . .

GLANVILLE, v. GLANVILLE,, 856 So. 2d 1045 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2003)

. . . Ap-pellee’s challenge to the deed was time-barred pursuant to the limitations provisions of section 95.281 . . .

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION, v. J. PATAFIO, JR., 829 So. 2d 314 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . Section 95.051 provides: (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281 . . .

S. CUILLO, v. McCOY, E., 810 So. 2d 1061 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . Section 95.051(l)(f) provides: (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281 . . .

S. LAYTON, v. BAY LAKE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 818 So. 2d 552 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . executed, the trial court determined that the five-year statute of limitations contained in section 95.281 . . . Section 95.281 specifies that a lien of a mortgage terminates five years after the date of maturity of . . . five years had elapsed since that date, the foreclosure of the mortgage was time-barred by section 95.281 . . . See § 95.281(l)(b), Fla. Stat. (1989). . . .

S. BONIS, v. COLLINS, 802 So. 2d 452 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2001)

. . . As the trial court properly found, pursuant to section 95.281(l)(a), Florida Statutes (1999), the mortgage . . . Section 95.281(l)(a), Florida Statutes (1999), provides as follows: (1) The lien of a mortgage or other . . .

ZLINKOFF, v. G. VON ALDENBRUCK,, 765 So. 2d 840 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2000)

. . . Zlinkoff appeals the final judgment of foreclosure entered against him, arguing that under section 95.281 . . . See § 95.281(2). . . . See also § 95.281(2). . . . See § 95.281(1), (4). . . . See § 95.281(l)(c). . . .

HANKEY, v. YARIAN, M. D., 755 So. 2d 93 (Fla. 2000)

. . . statutory limitations periods: (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281 . . .

In HILLARD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, In d b a In d b a d b a LTD. v., 238 B.R. 857 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 1999)

. . . . § 95.281(l)(a)), or the five year period applicable to actions on a written instrument (id. § 95.11 . . .

PUTNAM BERKLEY GROUP, INC. a a v. DININ, 734 So. 2d 532 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1999)

. . . Stat. (1997), provides that: (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281 . . .

L. MORSANI, a v. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL V. M. T. Jr. S. D. S. Jr. W. M. D. a d b a d b a d b a a d b a d b a d b a O d b a L. P. d b a d b a d b a D. F. St. d b a St. L. d b a d b a d b a d b a d b a M. Co. d b a d b a d b a d b a H. d b a MTI Co. d b a R. P. A. d b a M. d b a d b a d b a d b a, 739 So. 2d 610 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1999)

. . . .— (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except §§ 95.281, 95.35, and 95.36 is . . .

In ROSIN, P. v. P. P., 248 B.R. 625 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1998)

. . . . § 95.281, the lien of a mortgage terminates five years after the date of maturity of the obligation . . . Fla.Stat. § 95.281 provides: 95.281 Limitations; instruments encumbering real property. (1) The lien . . . Accordingly, the limitations period prescribed in Fla.Stat. § 95.281 does not apply. . . .

In KAY,, 223 B.R. 816 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1998)

. . . . § 95.281. . . .

In STEWART,, 215 B.R. 633 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1997)

. . . Additionally, Florida Statute ch. 95.281(l)(a) states that “[t]he lien of a mortgage or other instrument . . . Fla.Stat. ch: 95.281(l)(a) (1997). The maturity date of the Mortgage Note was January 18, 1987. . . .

WRH MORTGAGE, INC. v. B. BUTLER,, 684 So. 2d 325 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1996)

. . . . § 1821 (1995) preempts section 95.281 and grants WRH, an assignee of the Resolution Trust Corporation . . . In defending against WRH’s motion for summary judgment, the Butlers raised section 95.281 as a statute . . . No Florida court has discussed or analyzed the specific issue of whether section 95.281 operates as a . . . However, in resolving the issue presented here, it is not necessary for us to categorize section 95.281 . . . PETERSON, C.J., and HARRIS, J., concur. . 95.281 Limitations; instruments encumbering real property.— . . .

HARMONY HOMES, INC. v. UNITED STATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION,, 936 F. Supp. 907 (M.D. Fla. 1996)

. . . . § 95.111 and § 95.281, Fla.Stat. (1982 & Supp.1996). . . . Florida Statute § 95.281 addresses limitations on instruments encumbering real property and provides . . . record of the extension agreement, 5 years after the date of maturity of the obligation as extended. § 95.281 . . . Application of Florida Statute § 95.281(2)(a) to the modification agreement clearly determines that the . . .

R. NORRIS C. v. MILLER, 926 F. Supp. 776 (N.D. Ill. 1996)

. . . . § 95.281 to the claim in the initial lawsuit, which provides in pertinent part: (1) The lien of a mortgage . . . to interpret the applicability of their own statute of limitations under Fla.Stat. § 95.11(2) and § 95.281 . . .

H. SMITH, v. FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, a, 61 F.3d 1552 (11th Cir. 1995)

. . . . §§ 95.11(2)(c) and 95.281(l)(a) (West 1982). . . . The applicable Florida law governing the accrual date for real estate mortgages is Fla.Stat.Ann. § 95.281 . . . However, there are a number of Florida decisions that have recognized a common-law exception to § 95.281 . . .

MONTE, v. TIPTON,, 612 So. 2d 714 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1993)

. . . Section 95.281, Florida Statutes (1991), is the limitation statute applicable to mortgages. . . . Section 95.281(l)(b). . . .

MLECKA, v. CITRUS COUNTY,, 610 So. 2d 677 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1992)

. . . . § 95.281(l)(a), Fla.Stat. . See, e.g., First American Title Ins. Co. v. . . .

ALACHUA COUNTY, v. H. CHESHIRE, 603 So. 2d 1334 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1992)

. . . of Cheshire’s mortgage, securing a $15,000 note, was barred by the statute of limitations, section 95.281 . . .

L. IRWIN, v. GROGAN- COLE,, 590 So. 2d 1102 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1991)

. . . . § 95.281(1)(a) Fla.Stat. (1989). . § 95.281(l)(b), Fla.Stat. (1989). . . .

V. PITTS, Jr. v. PASTORE, 561 So. 2d 297 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1990)

. . . Pitts contends that the statute of limitations, under section 95.281(1), Florida Statutes (1985), barred . . .

KRC ENTERPRISES, INC. v. A. SODERQUIST,, 553 So. 2d 760 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1989)

. . . See § 95.281, Fla.Stat. (1987). . . .

VERDE CAPITAL CORPORATION, v. A. GUTIERREZ,, 548 So. 2d 698 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1989)

. . . Under section 95.281, Florida Statutes (Supp.1974), the lien of a mortgage or other instrument encumbering . . . Consequently, this action was barred by section 95.281. . . . Finally, we observe that the appellant’s claim arguing the unconstitutionality of section 95.281, which . . .

GARDEN ISLES APARTMENTS NO. INC. No. v. H. CONNOLLY,, 546 So. 2d 38 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1989)

. . . lease is itself a mortgage or other encumbrance against the real property which would require section 95.281 . . .

A. BRIGGS, v. ESTATE OF GEELHOED, a k a F. By JOHNSON,, 543 So. 2d 332 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1989)

. . . . § 95.281 Fla.Stat. (1985). This expired on January 1, 1986. . . .

USX CORPORATION, f k a v. H. SCHILBE L., 535 So. 2d 719 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1989)

. . . Florida Statutes (1987), and the duration of the lien created by such mortgage is governed by section 95.281 . . . by section 95.11(2)(c) and the enforceable life of the mortgage lien ended by operation of section 95.281 . . .

F. KISZ T. v. MASSRY, S., 426 So. 2d 1009 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1983)

. . . trial was the determination of the applicability of the statute of limitations contained in section 95.281 . . . At trial appellees took the position that the applicable subsection of Florida Statute 95.281 was subsection . . . Appellants took the position that Florida Statute 95.281(l)(a) was applicable in that the final maturity . . . Appellants argue that the trial court erred in applying section 95.281(l)(b). . . .

RUDNER, v. LYONS a k a, 395 So. 2d 247 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1981)

. . . . § 95.11(2)(c), Fla.Stat. (1979); § 95.281(3), Fla.Stat. (1979); Carpenter v. . . .

K. W. QUAINTANCE, v. M. FOGG, 392 So. 2d 360 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1981)

. . . .— (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281, 95.35, and 95.36 is . . .

SMITH Co. a v. M. BRANCH, Jr. M. F. E. R. C. Jr. M. D. a Co. J. M. L. Jr., 391 So. 2d 797 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1980)

. . . Section 95.281 is the limitation statute applicable to mortgages. . . .

W. LANDERS v. L. MILTON,, 370 So. 2d 368 (Fla. 1979)

. . . 95.051 When limitations tolled. (1) The running of the time under any statute of limitations except ss. 95.281 . . .

JEFFERIES, Jr. D. v. H. CORWIN J., 363 So. 2d 600 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1978)

. . . Appellants asserted at summary judgment that § 95.281 Fla.Stat. limited action on the lien to five years . . .

CONNER v. F. R. COGGINS,, 349 So. 2d 780 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1977)

. . . 95.11(2)(c) setting forth a five (5) year period must be read in pari materia with Florida Statutes § 95.281 . . . Statutes (1975), provides that an action to foreclose a mortgage shall be commenced within five years. § 95.281 . . .