The Florida Senate

55.01  Judgments; general form.

55.03  Judgments; rate of interest, generally.

55.04  Judgments; rate of interest, bonds of county, etc.

55.05  Judgments; power of attorney to confess invalid.

55.07  Judgments; effect of failure to record.

55.071  Judgments; effect of invalid affidavit or oath.

55.08  Judgments entered prior to June 5, 1939; liens.

55.081  Statute of limitations, lien of judgment.

55.09  Judgments of inferior courts entered prior to June 5, 1939; lien.

55.10  Judgments, orders, and decrees; lien of all, generally; extension of liens; transfer of liens to other security.

55.101  Judgments and decrees; validation; limitations.

55.11  Judgments; no lien against municipalities.

55.13  Judgments; rights of sureties, etc.

55.141  Satisfaction of judgments and decrees; duties of clerk and judge.

55.145  Discharge of judgments in bankruptcy.

55.146  Certain property exempt.

55.501  Florida Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act; short title.

55.502  Construction of act.

55.503  Recording and status of foreign judgments; fees.

55.505  Notice of recording; prerequisite to enforcement.

55.507  Lien; when effective.

55.509  Stay of enforcement of foreign judgment.

55.601  Uniform Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act; short title.

55.602  Definitions.

55.603  Applicability.

55.604  Recognition and enforcement.

55.605  Grounds for nonrecognition.

55.606  Personal jurisdiction.

55.607  Stay in case of appeal.

55.01  Judgments; general form.--

(1)  In all actions where either party recovers a sum of money, the amount to which he or she is entitled may be awarded by the judgment generally, without any distinction being therein made as to whether such sum is recovered by way of debt or damages.

(2)  Each final judgment shall contain thereon the address and the social security number, if known to the prevailing party, of each person against whom judgment is rendered. Errors in names, addresses, or social security numbers or failure to include same shall in no way affect the validity or finality of a final judgment.

History.--s. 40, ch. 1096, 1861; RS 1171; GS 1598; RGS 2800; CGL 4486; s. 9, ch. 67-254; s. 1, ch. 79-387; s. 9, ch. 93-250; s. 293, ch. 95-147.

55.03  Judgments; rate of interest, generally.--

(1)  On December 1 of each year beginning December 1, 1994, the Comptroller of the State of Florida shall set the rate of interest that shall be payable on judgments or decrees for the year beginning January 1 by averaging the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the preceding year, then adding 500 basis points to the averaged federal discount rate. The Comptroller shall inform the clerk of the courts and chief judge for each judicial circuit of the rate that has been established for the upcoming year. The initial interest rate established by the Comptroller shall take effect on January 1, 1995, and the interest rate established by the Comptroller in subsequent years shall take effect on January 1 of each following year. Judgments obtained on or after January 1, 1995, shall use the previous statutory rate for time periods before January 1, 1995, for which interest is due and shall apply the rate set by the Comptroller for time periods after January 1, 1995, for which interest is due. Nothing contained herein shall affect a rate of interest established by written contract or obligation.

(2)  Any judgment for money damages or order for a judicial sale and any process or writ directed to a sheriff for execution shall bear, on its face, the rate of interest that is payable on the judgment. The rate of interest stated in the judgment accrues on the judgment until it is paid.

(3)  The interest rate established at the time a judgment is obtained shall remain the same until the judgment is paid.

(4)  A sheriff shall not be required to docket and index or collect on any process, writ, judgment, or decree, described in subsection (2), and entered after the effective date of this act, unless such process, writ, judgment, or decree indicates the rate of interest. For purposes of this subsection, if the process, writ, judgment, or decree refers to the statutory rate of interest described in subsection (1), such reference shall be deemed to indicate the rate of interest.

History.--s. 1, ch. 1562, 1866; RS 1176; GS 1604; RGS 2806; CGL 4493; s. 1, ch. 16051, 1933; s. 9, ch. 67-254; s. 7, ch. 77-354; s. 8, ch. 79-396; ss. 1, 2, ch. 80-110; s. 1, ch. 81-113; s. 37, ch. 81-259; s. 8, ch. 94-239; s. 4, ch. 98-410.

55.04  Judgments; rate of interest, bonds of county, etc.--All judgments and decrees rendered on any bonds or other written evidence of debt of any county, special road and bridge districts or any county for the use and benefit of any special road and bridge districts or incorporated city or town or taxing district bear interest at the rate of 5 percent a year. When a judgment or decree is rendered on a bond or other written evidence of debt providing for a lesser rate of interest, the judgment or decree bears interest at the rate specified in such bond or other written evidence of debt.

History.--s. 1, ch. 16835, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4493(1); s. 9, ch. 67-254.

55.05  Judgments; power of attorney to confess invalid.--All powers of attorney for confessing or suffering judgment to pass by default or otherwise, and all general releases of error, heretofore made or to be made hereafter by any person whatsoever within or without this state, before such action brought, shall be absolutely null and void.

History.--s. 67, Nov. 23, 1828; RS 1178; GS 1606; RGS 2808; CGL 4495; s. 1, ch. 59-321; s. 9, ch. 67-254.

55.07  Judgments; effect of failure to record.--The failure to record any order, judgment or decree shall not affect the validity of any proceedings had thereon when collaterally attacked; provided, rendition of such order, judgment or decree is shown by the progress docket in the cause. This section shall apply to all proceedings heretofore had as well as to those hereafter had.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 12114, 1927; CGL 4496; s. 9, ch. 67-254.

55.071  Judgments; effect of invalid affidavit or oath.--No order, judgment or decree heretofore or hereafter entered (including decrees pro confesso, defaults and judgments by default) which was or shall be predicated on a sworn statement, affidavit or oath shall be set aside or held void or voidable because the officer before whom such sworn statement or affidavit was or shall be made or such oath was or shall be administered was the attorney of record or otherwise the attorney for the person making such sworn statement, affidavit or oath.

History.--s. 1, ch. 22843, 1945; s. 9, ch. 67-254.

55.08  Judgments entered prior to June 5, 1939; liens.--Every judgment at law and decree in equity, which was entered in any circuit court of this state prior to June 5, 1939, created a lien and became binding upon the real estate of the defendant in the county where rendered. Such judgments and decrees shall create a lien upon real estate of the defendant situated in counties, other than where rendered, when a certified transcript of the said judgment or decree shall have been recorded in the county in which the real estate sought to be bound is situated.

History.--ss. 1, 2, Feb. 12, 1834; RS 1173, 1174; GS 1600, 1601; RGS 2802, 2803; CGL 4488, 4489; s. 2, ch. 19270, 1939; s. 9, ch. 67-254.

55.081  Statute of limitations, lien of judgment.--Subject to the provisions of s. 55.10, no judgment, order, or decree of any court shall be a lien upon real or personal property within the state after the expiration of 20 years from the date of the entry of such judgment, order, or decree.

History.--s. 1, ch. 29954, 1955; s. 9, ch. 67-254; s. 1, ch. 87-67.

55.09  Judgments of inferior courts entered prior to June 5, 1939; lien.--Judgments of county courts, county judges' courts, and justices of the peace, entered prior to June 5, 1939, shall become a lien on the real estate of the defendant situated in any county, from the time of the filing in the office of the clerk of the circuit court for said county of a transcript of such judgment and the entry thereof by the clerk in a book to be kept by him or her for such purpose.

History.--s. 43, ch. 2040, 1875; RS 1175; GS 1602; RGS 2804; CGL 4490; s. 2, ch. 19270, 1939; s. 9, ch. 67-254; s. 294, ch. 95-147.

55.10  Judgments, orders, and decrees; lien of all, generally; extension of liens; transfer of liens to other security.--

(1)  A judgment, order, or decree becomes a lien on real estate in any county when a certified copy of it is recorded in the official records or judgment lien record of the county, whichever is maintained at the time of recordation, and it shall be a lien for a period of 7 years from the date of the recording provided that the judgment, order, or decree contains the address of the person who has a lien as a result of such judgment, order, or decree or a separate affidavit is recorded simultaneously with the judgment, order, or decree stating the address of the person who has a lien as a result of such judgment, order, or decree. A judgment, order, or decree does not become a lien on real estate unless the address of the person who has a lien as a result of such judgment, order, or decree is contained in the judgment, order, or decree or an affidavit with such address is simultaneously recorded with the judgment, order, or decree.

(2)  The lien provided for in subsection (1) may be extended for an additional period of 7 years by rerecording a certified copy of the judgment, order, or decree within the 90-day period preceding the expiration of the lien provided for in subsection (1) and by simultaneously recording an affidavit with the current address of the person who has a lien as a result of the judgment, order, or decree. The lien will not be extended unless the affidavit with the current address is simultaneously recorded.

(3)  In the event the lien is extended under subsection (2), the lien of the judgment, order, or decree may be further extended by re-recording a certified copy of it within the 90-day period preceding the expiration of the lien provided for in subsection (2) and by simultaneously recording an affidavit with the current address of the person who has a lien as a result of such judgment, order, or decree. The lien will not be extended unless the affidavit with the current address is recorded.

(4)  In no event shall the lien upon real property created by subsections (1), (2), and (3) be extended beyond the period provided for in s. 55.081.

(5)  This section shall be deemed to operate prospectively.

(6)  Any lien claimed under subsections (1), (2), and (3) may be transferred, by any person having an interest in the real property upon which the lien is imposed or the contract under which the lien is claimed, from such real property to other security by either depositing in the clerk's office a sum of money or filing in the clerk's office a bond executed as surety by a surety insurer licensed to do business in this state. Such deposit or bond shall be in an amount equal to the amount demanded in such claim of lien plus interest thereon at the legal rate for 3 years plus $500 to apply on any court costs which may be taxed in any proceeding to enforce said lien. Such deposit or bond shall be conditioned to pay any judgment, order, or decree which may be rendered for the satisfaction of the lien for which such claim of lien was recorded and costs plus $500 for court costs. Upon such deposit being made or such bond being filed, the clerk shall make and record a certificate showing the transfer of the lien from the real property to the security and mail a copy thereof by registered or certified mail to the lienor named in the claim of lien so transferred, at the address stated therein. Upon the filing of the certificate of transfer, the real property shall thereupon be released from the lien claimed, and such lien shall be transferred to said security. The clerk shall be entitled to a fee of $10 for making and serving the certificate. If the transaction involves the transfer of multiple liens, an additional charge of $5 for each additional lien shall be charged. Any number of liens may be transferred to one such security.

(7)  Any excess of the security over the aggregate amount of any judgments, orders, or decrees rendered, plus costs actually taxed, shall be repaid to the party filing the security or his or her successor in interest. Any deposit of money shall be considered as paid into court and shall be subject to the provisions of law relative to payments of money into court and the disposition of these payments.

(8)  Any party having an interest in such security or the property from which the lien was transferred may at any time, and any number of times, file a complaint in chancery in the circuit court of the county where such security is deposited for an order:

(a)  To require additional security;

(b)  To require reduction of security;

(c)  To require change or substitution of sureties;

(d)  To require payment or discharge thereof; or

(e)  Relating to any other matter affecting said security.

History.--s. 1, ch. 10166, 1925; s. 1, ch. 14749, 1931; ss. 1-3, ch. 17998, 1937; s. 2, ch. 19270, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4865(3); s. 9, ch. 67-254; s. 1, ch. 71-56; s. 1, ch. 77-462; s. 2, ch. 87-67; s. 7, ch. 87-145; s. 12, ch. 91-45; s. 10, ch. 93-250; s. 15, ch. 94-348; s. 1357, ch. 95-147.

55.101  Judgments and decrees; validation; limitations.--

(1)  Recordation of all judgments and decrees heretofore made under and in accordance with former s. 28.21(11) or former s. 28.221 is validated, and the judgments and decrees are declared to be liens on real estate in the counties where certified copies thereof are recorded from the date of recordation.

(2)  All judgments and decrees recorded subsequent to June 26, 1967, other than in accordance with former s. 28.21(11) or former s. 28.221, shall not constitute liens on real estate until certified copies are recorded as provided in s. 55.10.

History.--s. 2, ch. 71-56.

55.11  Judgments; no lien against municipalities.--No money judgment or decree against a municipal corporation is a lien on its property nor shall any execution or any writ in the nature of an execution based on the judgment or decree be issued or levied.

History.--s. 1, ch. 17125, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4492(4); s. 9, ch. 67-254.

55.13  Judgments; rights of sureties, etc.--Any person paying money as surety for the principal in any bond or note, which he or she has signed as surety, upon which judgment has been obtained, shall have the same right to control the said judgment and collect the same, with principal, interest and costs, as the plaintiff creditor would have had if the debt had not been paid. Such judgment, and execution thereon, shall have the same lien on property of the principal as though the surety were the original plaintiff.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 765, 1855; RS 1177; GS 1605; RGS 2807; CGL 4494; s. 9, ch. 67-254; s. 295, ch. 95-147.

55.141  Satisfaction of judgments and decrees; duties of clerk and judge.--

(1)  All judgments and decrees for the payment of money rendered in the courts of this state and which have become final, may be satisfied at any time prior to the actual levy of execution issued thereon by payment of the full amount of such judgment or decree, with interest thereon, plus the costs of the issuance, if any, of execution thereon into the registry of the court where rendered.

(2)  Upon such payment, the clerk, or the judge if there is no clerk, shall issue his or her receipt therefor and shall record a satisfaction of judgment, provided by the judgment holder, upon payment of the recording charge prescribed in s. 28.24(15) plus the necessary costs of mailing to the clerk or judge. The clerk or judge shall formally notify the owner of record of such judgment or decree, if such person and his or her address are known to the clerk or judge receiving such payment, and, upon request therefor, shall pay over to the person entitled, or to his or her order, the full amount of the payment so received, less his or her fees for issuing execution on such judgment or decree, if any has been issued, and less his or her fees for receiving into and paying out of the registry of the court such payment, together with the fees of the clerk for receiving into and paying such money out of the registry of the court.

(3)  Full payment of judgments and decrees as in the preceding subsections of this section provided shall constitute full payment and satisfaction thereof and any lien created by such judgment or decree shall thereupon be satisfied and discharged.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 22672, 1945; s. 9, ch. 67-254; s. 2, ch. 77-354; s. 4, ch. 82-205; s. 296, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 55.62.

55.145  Discharge of judgments in bankruptcy.--At any time after 1 year has elapsed since a bankrupt or debtor was discharged from his or her debts, pursuant to the act of congress relating to bankruptcy, the bankrupt or debtor, his or her receiver or trustee, or any interested party may petition the court in which the judgment was rendered against such bankrupt or debtor for an order to cancel and discharge such judgment. The petition shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the discharge of said bankrupt or by a certified copy of the order of confirmation of the arrangement filed by said debtor. The petition, accompanied by copies of the papers upon which it is made, shall be served upon the judgment creditor in the manner prescribed for service of process in a civil action. If it appears upon the hearing that the bankrupt or debtor has been discharged from the payment of that judgment or of the debt upon which it was recovered, the court shall enter an order canceling and discharging said judgment. The order of cancellation and discharge shall have the same effect as a satisfaction of judgment, and a certified copy thereof may be recorded in the same manner as a satisfaction of judgment. This section shall apply only to liens under judgments or obligations duly scheduled in the bankruptcy proceedings.

History.--s. 1, ch. 70-12; s. 297, ch. 95-147.

55.146  Certain property exempt.--All property in this state of a judgment debtor where the judgment is in favor of any state for failure to pay that state's income tax on benefits received from a pension or other retirement plan is exempt from forced sale under process of any court, and no such judgment or execution based thereon shall be a lien on such property.

History.--s. 15, ch. 90-343.

55.501  Florida Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act; short title.--Sections 55.501-55.509 may be cited as the "Florida Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act."

History.--s. 1, ch. 84-5.

55.502  Construction of act.--

(1)  As used in ss. 55.501-55.509, the term "foreign judgment" means any judgment, decree, or order of a court of any other state or of the United States if such judgment, decree, or order is entitled to full faith and credit in this state.

(2)  This act shall not be construed to impair the right of a judgment creditor to bring an action to enforce his or her judgment instead of proceeding under this act.

(3)  This act shall be interpreted and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this act among states enacting it.

(4)  Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to alter, modify, or extend the limitation period applicable for the enforcement of foreign judgments.

History.--ss. 2, 8, ch. 84-5; s. 16, ch. 94-348; s. 1358, ch. 95-147.

55.503  Recording and status of foreign judgments; fees.--

(1)  A copy of any foreign judgment certified in accordance with the laws of the United States or of this state may be recorded in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of any county. The clerk shall file, record, and index the foreign judgment in the same manner as a judgment of a circuit or county court of this state. A judgment so recorded shall have the same effect and shall be subject to the same rules of civil procedure, legal and equitable defenses, and proceedings for reopening, vacating, or staying judgments, and it may be enforced, released, or satisfied, as a judgment of a circuit or county court of this state.

(2)  Any person recording a foreign judgment shall pay to the clerk of the circuit court a service charge as is required for the recording of an original action demanding the relief or judgment granted in the foreign judgment.

History.--ss. 3, 7, ch. 84-5.

55.505  Notice of recording; prerequisite to enforcement.--

(1)  At the time of the recording of a foreign judgment, the judgment creditor shall make and record with the clerk of the circuit court an affidavit setting forth the name, social security number, if known, and last known post office address of the judgment debtor and of the judgment creditor.

(2)  Promptly upon the recording of the foreign judgment and the affidavit, the clerk shall mail notice of the recording of the foreign judgment, by registered mail with return receipt requested, to the judgment debtor at the address given in the affidavit and shall make a note of the mailing in the docket. The notice shall include the name and post office address of the judgment creditor and of the judgment creditor's attorney, if any, in this state. In addition, the judgment creditor may mail a notice of the recording of the judgment to the judgment debtor and may record proof of mailing with the clerk. The failure of the clerk to mail notice of recording will not affect the enforcement proceedings if proof of mailing by the judgment creditor has been recorded.

(3)  No execution or other process for enforcement of a foreign judgment recorded hereunder shall issue until 30 days after the mailing of notice by the clerk and payment of a service charge of $25 to the clerk. When an action authorized in s. 55.509(1) is filed, it acts as an automatic stay of the effect of this section.

History.--s. 4, ch. 84-5; s. 12, ch. 93-250; s. 17, ch. 94-348.

55.507  Lien; when effective.--A foreign judgment does not operate as a lien until 30 days after the mailing of notice by the clerk. When an action authorized in s. 55.509(1) is filed, it acts as an automatic stay of the effect of this section.

History.--s. 5, ch. 84-5.

55.509  Stay of enforcement of foreign judgment.--

(1)  If, within 30 days after the date the foreign judgment is recorded, the judgment debtor files an action contesting the jurisdiction of the court which entered the foreign judgment or the validity of the foreign judgment and records a lis pendens directed toward the foreign judgment, the court shall stay enforcement of the foreign judgment and the judgment lien upon the filing of the action by the judgment debtor.

(2)  If the judgment debtor shows the circuit or county court any ground upon which enforcement of a judgment of any circuit or county court of this state would be stayed, the court shall stay enforcement of the foreign judgment for an appropriate period, upon requiring the same security for satisfaction of the judgment which is required in this state.

History.--s. 6, ch. 84-5.

55.601  Uniform Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act; short title.--Sections 55.601-55.607 may be cited as the "Uniform Out-of-country Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act."

History.--s. 1, ch. 94-239.

55.602  Definitions.--As used in this act, the term:

(1)  "Foreign state" means any governmental unit other than the United States, or any state, district, commonwealth, territory, insular possession thereof, or the Panama Canal Zone, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or the Ryukyu Islands.

(2)  "Foreign judgment" means any judgment of a foreign state granting or denying recovery of a sum of money, other than a judgment for taxes, a fine, or other penalty.

History.--s. 2, ch. 94-239.

55.603  Applicability.--This act applies to any foreign judgment that is final and conclusive and enforceable where rendered, even though an appeal therefrom is pending or is subject to appeal.

History.--s. 3, ch. 94-239.

55.604  Recognition and enforcement.--Except as provided in s. 55.605, a foreign judgment meeting the requirements of s. 55.603 is conclusive between the parties to the extent that it grants or denies recovery of a sum of money. Procedures for recognition and enforceability of a foreign judgment shall be as follows:

(1)  The foreign judgment shall be filed with the clerk of the court and recorded in the public records in the county or counties where enforcement is sought.

(a)  At the time of the recording of a foreign judgment, the judgment creditor shall make and record with the clerk of the circuit court an affidavit setting forth the name, social security number, if known, and last known post-office address of the judgment debtor and of the judgment creditor.

(b)  Promptly upon the recording of the foreign judgment and the affidavit, the clerk shall mail notice of the recording of the foreign judgment, by registered mail with return receipt requested, to the judgment debtor at the address given in the affidavit and shall make a note of the mailing in the docket. The notice shall include the name and address of the judgment creditor and of the judgment creditor's attorney, if any, in this state. In addition, the judgment creditor may mail a notice of the recording of the judgment to the judgment debtor and may record proof of mailing with the clerk. The failure of the clerk to mail notice of recording will not affect the enforcement proceedings if proof of mailing by the judgment creditor has been recorded.

(2)  The judgment debtor shall have 30 days after service of the notice to file a notice of objection with the clerk of the court specifying the grounds for nonrecognition or nonenforceability under this act.

(3)  Upon the application of any party, and after proper notice, the circuit court shall have jurisdiction to conduct a hearing, determine the issues, and enter an appropriate order granting or denying recognition in accordance with the terms of this act.

(4)  If the judgment debtor fails to file a notice of objection within the required time, the clerk of the court shall record a certificate stating that no objection has been filed.

(5)  Upon entry of an order recognizing the foreign judgment, or upon recording of the clerk's certificate set forth above, the foreign judgment shall be enforced in the same manner as the judgment of a court of this state.

(6)  Once an order recognizing the foreign judgment has been entered by a court of this state, the order and a copy of the judgment may be recorded in any other county of this state without further notice or proceedings, and shall be enforceable in the same manner as the judgment of a court of this state.

(7)  A lien on real estate in any county shall be created only when there has been recorded in the official records of the county (a) a certified copy of the judgment, and (b) a copy of the clerk's certificate or the order recognizing the foreign judgment. The priority of such lien will be established as of the time the latter of the two recordings has occurred. Such lien may be partially released or satisfied by the person designated pursuant to ¹paragraph (1).

History.--s. 4, ch. 94-239.

¹Note.--As published in s. 4, ch. 94-239. Senate Amendment 2 to C.S. for H.B. 51, which became ch. 94-239, added material including the reference to "paragraph (1)" (see Journal of the Senate 1994, p. 746).

55.605  Grounds for nonrecognition.--

(1)  A foreign judgment is not conclusive if:

(a)  The judgment was rendered under a system which does not provide impartial tribunals or procedures compatible with the requirements of due process of law.

(b)  The foreign court did not have personal jurisdiction over the defendant.

(c)  The foreign court did not have jurisdiction over the subject matter.

(2)  A foreign judgment need not be recognized if:

(a)  The defendant in the proceedings in the foreign court did not receive notice of the proceedings in sufficient time to enable him or her to defend.

(b)  The judgment was obtained by fraud.

(c)  The cause of action or claim for relief on which the judgment is based is repugnant to the public policy of this state.

(d)  The judgment conflicts with another final and conclusive order.

(e)  The proceeding in the foreign court was contrary to an agreement between the parties under which the dispute in question was to be settled otherwise than by proceedings in that court.

(f)  In the case of jurisdiction based only on personal service, the foreign court was a seriously inconvenient forum for the trial of the action.

(g)  The foreign jurisdiction where judgment was rendered would not give recognition to a similar judgment rendered in this state.

History.--s. 5, ch. 94-239; s. 1359, ch. 95-147.

55.606  Personal jurisdiction.--The foreign judgment shall not be refused recognition for lack of personal jurisdiction if:

(1)  The defendant was served personally in the foreign state;

(2)  The defendant voluntarily appeared in the proceedings, other than for the purpose of protecting property seized or threatened with seizure in the proceedings or of contesting the jurisdiction of the court over him or her;

(3)  The defendant, prior to the commencement of the proceedings, had agreed to submit to the jurisdiction of the foreign court with respect to the subject matter involved;

(4)  The defendant was domiciled in the foreign state when the proceedings were instituted, or, being a body corporate, had its principal place of business, was incorporated, or had otherwise acquired corporate status, in the foreign state;

(5)  The defendant had a business office in the foreign state and the proceedings in the foreign court involved a cause of action or a claim for relief arising out of business done by the defendant through that office in the foreign state; or

(6)  The defendant operated a motor vehicle or airplane in the foreign state and the proceedings involved a cause of action or claim for relief arising out of such operation.

History.--s. 6, ch. 94-239; s. 1360, ch. 95-147.

55.607  Stay in case of appeal.--If the defendant satisfies the court that an appeal is pending, or that he or she intends to appeal, and that he or she has obtained a stay of judgment from the foreign court, the court may stay the proceedings until the appeal has been determined or until the expiration of a period of time sufficient to enable the defendant to prosecute the appeal.

History.--s. 7, ch. 94-239; s. 1361, ch. 95-147.