Strategic Guidance for Community Association Governance
At Murrell Law, we provide governance-focused legal insight designed to support community association boards, leadership teams, and management partners navigating Florida’s complex legal landscape. Our Guidance library offers practical analysis, statutory and case law perspectives, and strategic considerations that help leaders make informed decisions, strengthen compliance, and mitigate risk.
These articles are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Reading them does not create an attorney–client relationship with Murrell Law. For advice regarding your specific situation, please contact our counsel team today.
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Important Recent Court Ruling on the Acceptance of Partial Payments
In August of 2014, the Second District Court of Appeals issued a ruling which has potentially big ramifications for HOA/Condo collections. The case was St. Croix Lane Trust v. St. Croix at Pelican Marsh Condominium Association, Inc., 144 So.3d 639 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014), and the ruling addresses the acceptance of partial payments from delinquent owners.
Does taking title through a lien foreclosure prevent associations from collecting past-due amounts?
In February of 2013, a landmark court ruling came out of the Third District Court of Appeals in Florida, known as the Spiaggia decision (Aventura Management, LLC v. Spiaggia Ocean Condominium Association, Inc.). The Spiaggia ruling sent shockwaves through the association law world as the Court held that an association also becomes joint and severally liable for any past-due delinquency if they take title through a lien foreclosure lawsuit.