Real Property Update -
Cross-Easement Agreement / Res Judicata: Doctrine of res judicata is not applicable where the claims in the two cases concern different periods of time, and the facts that were essential to maintain...more
Real Property Update -
Foreclosure / Condition Precedent: Borrower who raises an affirmative defense, such as failure of conditions precedent, bears the burden of proving that affirmative defense even if lender's complaint...more
7/14/2020
/ Attorney's Fees ,
Breach of Contract ,
Class Action ,
Condition Precedent ,
Condominiums ,
Debt ,
FCCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Mortgages ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Tort ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Foreclosure / Note: Trial court could not challenge authenticity of note as copy where borrower had not pleaded defenses and lender was not afforded advanced notice of dispositive issue to be tried -...more
5/20/2020
/ ATDS ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Chase Bank ,
Condition Precedent ,
Condominiums ,
Damages ,
Discovery ,
Dish Network ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDUTPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Mandatory Arbitration ,
Mortgages ,
Ocwen ,
Pleading Standards ,
RESPA ,
Revocation ,
Standing ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Foreclosure / Law of the Case: Motion to vacate that attempted to re-litigate issues on standing that had been rejected on direct appeal was precluded by the law of the case doctrine – Schwartz v....more
3/25/2020
/ Bank of America ,
Easements ,
FDCPA ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Law of the Case Doctrine ,
RESPA ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Vicarious Liability ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Foreclosure / Standing: Where plaintiff was substituted in as a party plaintiff after original note was filed with the court, introduction of original note bearing blank indorsement into evidence at...more
2/20/2020
/ Action to Quiet Title ,
Article III ,
Consumer Lenders ,
Debt Collection ,
Documentary Stamp Tax ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
FDUTPA ,
Fifth Third Mortgage Company ,
Foreclosure ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Lis Pendens ,
Markups ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Motor Vehicles ,
Nationstar ,
Noteholders ,
Real Estate Market ,
Standing ,
Summary Judgment ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Quiet Title / Motion to Dismiss: Trial court not permitted to consider or take judicial notice of amended lis pendens and partial release of mortgage that were outside the counterclaim to which a...more
2/4/2020
/ Action to Quiet Title ,
Appraisal ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
ECOA ,
Experian ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Lis Pendens ,
Mortgages ,
Motion to Dismiss ,
Nationstar ,
Pleading Standards ,
Real Estate Market ,
Settlement Agreements ,
Sua Sponte ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Quiet Title / Extinguishment: mortgage merged and ceased to be an encumbrance when the mortgage on land and the equity of redemption in the same land become united in the same person - Young Land...more
8/14/2019
/ Action to Quiet Title ,
Class Action ,
Data Breach ,
Encroachments ,
FDUTPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Mortgages ,
Standing ,
Summary Judgment ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices ,
Unsolicited Faxes ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Foreclosure / Condo Assessments: under section 718.116(1)(a), Florida Statutes, present condo owner is jointly and severally liable with the previous owner for unpaid assessments and related expenses...more
8/12/2019
/ Article III ,
Condominium Associations ,
Condominiums ,
Constructive Possession ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Equitable Subrogation ,
Experian ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Mortgages ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Foreclosure / Standing: owner of property subject to mortgage at the time the complaint and lis pendens were filed had standing to dispute legal sufficiency of proof of amount due where owner was...more
6/11/2019
/ Article III ,
Attorney's Fees ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Deutsche Bank ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Harassment ,
Jury Trial ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Old Republic Title ,
Refinancing ,
Standing ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Sanctions / Dismissal: trial court abused discretion in dismissing bank’s foreclosure action; record established bank complied with discovery orders on which the motion for dismissal/sanctions was...more
5/22/2019
/ Arbitration ,
Bank of America ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Damages ,
ECOA ,
Equitable Subrogation ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Mortgages ,
RESPA ,
Sanctions ,
Statute of Limitations ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Ad Valorem Taxes: in a matter of first impression, county's immunity from taxation does not extend extraterritorially to property it owns in another Florida county - Joiner v. Pinellas Cnty., Fla.,...more
5/22/2019
/ Ad Valorem Tax ,
Attorney's Fees ,
Deeds ,
Demand Letter ,
Depositions ,
Expert Witness ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Fraud ,
Homeowners Association (HOA) ,
HSBC ,
Mortgages ,
Motion To Intervene ,
Old Republic Title ,
Policy Exclusions ,
Preemption ,
Recoupment ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Summary Judgment ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association ,
Wells Fargo
Real Property Update -
Foreclosure / Standing: bank cannot rely solely on its acquisition of prior lenderto prove standing where note was specially indorsed to prior lender - Certo v. The Bank of New York Mellon, No....more
4/24/2019
/ Bad Faith ,
Bank of America ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Closing Agents ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Contributory Negligence ,
Damages ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Equitable Subrogation ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Florida ,
Foreclosure ,
Foreclosure Sales ,
Fraud ,
Marriott ,
Mortgages ,
Self-Authentication ,
Standing ,
Timeshare ,
Title Insurance ,
Title Search ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
- Equitable Lien/Foreclosure: lender entitled to an equitable lien, but not entitled to foreclose on that lien where was no showing of default on mortgage from which the lien arose - Rozanski v....more
6/28/2018
/ Action to Quiet Title ,
Condition Precedent ,
Condominium Associations ,
Condominiums ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Debt Collection ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Equitable Lien ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Foreign Judgments ,
Fraudulent Transfers ,
Insurance Code ,
Midland Funding ,
Mortgages ,
Motion to Vacate ,
Old Republic Title ,
Personal Jurisdiction ,
Restrictive Covenants ,
Specific Jurisdiction ,
Supplemental Jurisdiction ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Standing: bank's allegation in complaint that it acquired loan and possessed both legal and beneficial interest in note and mortgage prior to filing complaint, coupled with the subsequent...more
6/6/2018
/ Article III ,
Attorney's Fees ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
HELOC ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Mortgages ,
Policy Exclusions ,
RICO ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Summary Judgment: incorporation of an affirmative defense by referencing “previously filed pleadings” does not obviate movant’s obligation to comply with particularity requirements mandated by rule...more
5/16/2018
/ Ally Financial Inc ,
American Express ,
Article III ,
Bank of America ,
BAPCPA ,
Chapter 7 ,
Condominiums ,
Consumer Bankruptcy ,
Debt Collectors ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Equifax ,
Exculpatory Clauses ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
HOA Dues ,
Leases ,
Mortgages ,
Negligence ,
Repossess ,
Standing ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Wells Fargo
Foreclosure / Amendments to Conform to Evidence: trial court erred in allowing Wells Fargo to amend its complaint during trial to conform to evidence presented of two unpled modification agreements – Tracey v. Wells Fargo...more
4/2/2018
/ Amended Complaints ,
Article III ,
Class Action ,
Class Certification ,
Condominiums ,
Declaration of Condominium ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
FDUTPA ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Inequitable Conduct ,
Insurance Industry ,
Loan Modifications ,
Mortgages ,
Regulatory Violations ,
Standing ,
Tax Appeals ,
Time-Barred Claims ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Condition Precedent: trial court properly rejected motion to dismiss for failure to satisfy condition precedent of pre-litigation non-binding arbitration, required by Chapter 718, Florida Statutes,...more
3/23/2018
/ Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Citigroup ,
Condition Precedent ,
Deutsche Bank ,
ECOA ,
Eviction ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FCC ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Mortgages ,
Real Estate Market ,
RESPA ,
Statute of Limitations ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Unclean Hands ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Standing: borrower's standing arguments failed because they were based on notion that note changed hands after it was delivered to World Savings Bank in 2007, when in fact the note...more
3/5/2018
/ Article III ,
ATDS ,
Banking Sector ,
Damages ,
Debt Collection ,
Deutsche Bank ,
FDCPA ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Foreclosure ,
HSBC ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mechanics Lien ,
Mortgages ,
Policy Exclusions ,
Rite Aid ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Sufficient Nexus ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Tortious Interference ,
US Bank National Association ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Standing/Foreclosure: pursuant to Florida Rule of Procedure 1.260, the assignee of a note during pendency of a foreclosure acquires standing of original plaintiff lender - Spicer v Ocwen Loan...more
1/25/2018
/ Article III ,
Banking Sector ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgage Fraud ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Property Damage ,
RESPA ,
Sinkhole ,
Standing ,
State Farm ,
Statute of Limitations ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Receiver/Barton Doctrine: individual could not bring negligence action against discharged receiver of commercial property until individual first obtained leave to do so from the court that appointed...more
12/1/2017
/ Bank of America ,
Banking Sector ,
Barton Doctrine ,
Debt Collection ,
ECOA ,
Equitable Subrogation ,
Experian ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgages ,
Motion to Dismiss ,
Negligent Misrepresentation ,
RESPA ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Summary Judgment ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE FINANCIAL SERVICES UPDATE TITLE INSURANCE UPDATE -
Misrepresentation: developer entitled to directed verdict on claims of fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation asserted by condominium association...more
11/15/2017
/ Agricultural Land ,
Article III ,
Banking Sector ,
Business Records ,
Certiorari ,
Condominiums ,
Deutsche Bank ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Hearsay ,
HOLA ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgages ,
Negligent Misrepresentation ,
Preemption ,
Real Estate Development ,
Real Estate Market ,
RESPA ,
Restrictive Covenants ,
Standing ,
State and Local Government ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo ,
Zoning Laws
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE FINANCIAL SERVICES UPDATE TITLE INSURANCE UPDATE -
Foreclosure: witness may testify as to business records of another company so long as that witness can lay proper foundation of personal knowledge...more
10/30/2017
/ Banking Sector ,
Condominiums ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Misrepresentation ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Real Estate Market ,
Tax Liens ,
Title Insurance ,
Venue ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE FINANCIAL SERVICES UPDATE -
Ad Valorem Taxes: land lease holders are considered equitable owners of land for tax purposes if land lease renews automatically and is perpetual; owners of condominium...more
10/18/2017
/ Action to Quiet Title ,
Ad Valorem Tax ,
Attorney's Fees ,
Banking Sector ,
Consumer Bankruptcy ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Debt Collection ,
Deficiency Judgments ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Dismissals ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Foreclosure Sales ,
GMAC ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Res Judicata ,
Trespass ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Unlawful Detainer ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
- Constructive Notice: a memorandum of agreement that is recorded in the official records of the county in which the property is located and refers to an unrecorded agreement entered into by the...more
10/9/2017
/ Advertising ,
Article III ,
Auto-Dialed Calls ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Banking Sector ,
Class Action ,
Class Certification ,
Constructive Notice ,
Equifax ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FL Supreme Court ,
Foreclosure ,
HSBC ,
HUD ,
Insurance Industry ,
Late Notices ,
Mortgages ,
Motion to Dismiss ,
Nationstar ,
Putative Class Actions ,
RESPA ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Summary Judgment ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Summary judgment: trial court erred by denying borrower’s motion to amend answer and defenses, and therefore erred in entering summary judgment in favor of lender. Reyes v BAC Home Loans Servicing...more
9/20/2017
/ Arbitration ,
Banking Sector ,
Class Action ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Professional Liability ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Wells Fargo