What Is Judicial Foreclosure?

In a judicial foreclosure, the lender sues the borrower in court. The process includes filing a complaint, a lis pendens (public notice of the lawsuit), a period for the homeowner to respond, and ultimately a final judgment and a court-ordered sale.

Florida uses judicial foreclosure under Chapter 702 of the Florida Statutes. The timeline runs roughly 9-18 months for uncontested cases and can stretch to several years if contested.

The longer timeline gives Florida homeowners more breathing room, but once a final judgment is entered and a sale date is set — usually 30-45 days out — the window narrows quickly. A cash sale can close before the auction.