Form 14 – Satisfaction Of Judgment – Circuit Court in Florida

Form 14 – Satisfaction Of Judgment – is used within the Circuit Courts of Florida. It serves as a formal declaration that the entire amount due on a judgment—including any accrued interest—has been paid in full by the defendant to the plaintiff. The form requires the judgment holder to officially acknowledge the payment and record this satisfaction in the counties where a certified copy of the judgment was initially recorded.

What is a satisfaction of judgment?

A satisfaction of judgment is a legal document that confirms the full payment and settlement of a judgment debt by the debtor to the creditor. This document is issued by the judgment creditor (or their representative) to formally acknowledge that the debtor has fulfilled all financial obligations under the judgment, including any accrued interest and additional costs as ordered by the court.

Notice of Satisfaction of Judgment

A “Notice of Satisfaction of Judgment” is a formal document that the creditor files with the court to notify that the judgment debtor has fully satisfied the monetary obligations decreed by the court’s judgment. This notice is crucial as it leads to the official closure of the case regarding the specific judgment and updates the court records and public databases to reflect that the debt has been paid.

The necessity of this form arises from legal requirements under Florida Statutes Sections 55.141 and 701.04 (2007). These statutes mandate the execution of a satisfaction document to prevent potential civil actions for failure to record the satisfaction, where the prevailing party may recover attorneys’ fees and costs.

Filling out Form 14, “Satisfaction of Judgment – Circuit Court” in Florida, involves carefully entering specific details to ensure that the satisfaction of a judgment is properly documented and legally binding. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you fill out this form accurately:

Judicial Circuit and County Information

• Judicial Circuit: Enter the name of the judicial circuit where the judgment was issued.
• County: Specify the county in Florida where the judgment was recorded.

Case Information

• Plaintiff(s): Write the full name(s) of the plaintiff(s) as recorded in the original court case.
• Defendant(s): Enter the full name(s) of the defendant(s) as listed in the original judgment.
• Case No.: Fill in the case number as it appears in the court records.

Acknowledgment of Payment

• The plaintiff or their agent must sign the form to acknowledge that the defendant has fully paid the judgment amount. Specify whether the signee is the plaintiff or an agent acting on behalf of the plaintiff.

Signatures

• Witnesses: Two witnesses must sign the form to validate the plaintiff’s acknowledgment. Enter their names and obtain their signatures where indicated.
• Plaintiff or Agent: The person acknowledging the satisfaction of the judgment (either the plaintiff or their agent) must sign the form.

Notarization

• The form must be notarized to be legally effective. Provide it to a Notary Public who will witness the signing.
• The Notary will fill out the section that includes their name, the date, their commission number, and when their commission expires. They will also confirm whether they know you personally or if you have produced identification, and what type of identification was used.

Additional Information

• If someone assisted you in filling out this form, their name, address, and telephone number should be entered in the designated section at the bottom of the form.

Final Checks and Recording

• Review: Before submitting the form, review all entries for accuracy and completeness.
• Record the Satisfaction: Once signed and notarized, the satisfaction of judgment must be recorded in the county (or counties) where the original judgment was recorded. This often requires paying a small fee at the county clerk’s office.

Important Tips

• Consult an Attorney: If you have any doubts or legal questions, consulting with an attorney can provide guidance specific to your circumstances.
• Clarity and Legibility: Ensure that all written entries are clear and legible to avoid issues with the recording of the document.
• Follow Local Rules: Always check for any additional local requirements that may affect how the form should be filled out or submitted.

By carefully following these steps, you can properly complete and file Form 14 to officially document the satisfaction of a judgment in Florida’s Circuit Courts.