Palm Beach County Foreclosure Resources
Complete guide to the foreclosure process in Palm Beach County, Florida. Courthouse addresses, filing procedures, timelines, mediation options, and local legal aid — everything you need to defend your home.
Response within 24 hours
Foreclosure Type
Judicial
Avg. Timeline
180–270 days
Mediation
Available
Population
1.5 million
Palm Beach County Foreclosure Timeline
Florida is a judicial foreclosure state. Every foreclosure must go through the Circuit Court of Palm Beach County, giving homeowners significant procedural rights and time to mount a defense.
The lender records a lis pendens and files a foreclosure complaint with the Palm Beach County Circuit Court, then personally serves you. You typically have 20 days to answer. Service and notice failures are strong grounds to challenge the action.
After you answer, Florida's court-managed mediation program automatically refers residential foreclosure cases to mediation, with a court-appointed mediator working toward a workout.
If mediation fails, the case proceeds through discovery and motions, with careful review of standing and note ownership.
The court enters a final judgment of foreclosure, a notice of sale is published, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court sets the online sale date.
The Palm Beach County Clerk conducts the online judicial sale. There is no statutory right of redemption. The lender may seek a deficiency within 1 year, subject to the court's fair-market-value review.
Courthouse & County Offices
Palm Beach County Courthouse (Civil/Foreclosure Division)
205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 355-2991
Mon–Fri 8:00AM–4:00PM
South County Courthouse (Delray Beach)
200 W Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444
(561) 355-2141
Mon–Fri 8:00AM–4:00PM
Clerk of Court
Palm Beach County Clerk of Circuit Court — Civil
The Clerk of the Circuit Court processes all foreclosure filings in Palm Beach, schedules mediation referrals, and conducts online judicial sales.
County Recorder
Palm Beach County Official Records / Clerk-Recorder
Sheriff / Sale Info
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office — Civil
3228 Gun Club Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
(561) 688-3000
Florida's judicial sale is conducted by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, not the Sheriff. After the certificate of title, the Sheriff enforces the Writ of Possession to recover the property.
Foreclosure Mediation in Palm Beach County
Florida's court-managed mediation automatically refers residential foreclosure cases to mediation. The Palm Beach Circuit Court assigns a court-appointed mediator to facilitate a modification or other resolution.
Filing Requirements
- •Lis pendens recorded and foreclosure complaint filed with the Circuit Court
- •Summons and complaint personally served
- •Homeowner typically has 20 days to answer after service
- •Residential foreclosure cases are automatically referred to court-managed mediation
- •A final judgment of foreclosure precedes a published notice of sale
- •The Clerk of Court conducts the online judicial sale
- •No statutory right of redemption after the sale
Key Statutes
Florida Statutes § 702.01
Fla. Stat. § 702.01
Authorizes judicial foreclosure in Florida — the foundation of the court-supervised process.
Florida Statutes §§ 702.10, 701.05
Fla. Stat. §§ 701.05, 702.10
Covers notice requirements and acceleration/right-to-cure protections for residential borrowers.
Florida Statutes § 702.06 (Deficiency)
Fla. Stat. § 702.06
Permits a deficiency decree within 1 year of the sale, subject to court review of fair market value.
Right of Redemption
Florida provides no statutory right of redemption after a judicial foreclosure sale. For Palm Beach homeowners, the practical protection comes before sale: automatic referral to court-managed mediation and a judicial process that commonly runs 12-24 months or longer.
Deficiency Judgments
A deficiency may be sought only by motion within 1 year of the sale (Fla. Stat. § 702.06). The court determines fair market value and limits the deficiency to total debt plus costs minus that value. Palm Beach's high property values frequently leave little or no deficiency after a fair-value review.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
Free civil legal services for qualifying low-income Palm Beach residents, including foreclosure defense and homeowner counseling.
Coastal Legal Services (South County)
Free legal help for qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure in southern Palm Beach County.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Palm Beach foreclosure sale work?+
The Palm Beach Clerk of the Circuit Court conducts an online judicial sale after a final judgment and published notice. The home is auctioned to the highest bidder, and Florida has no statutory redemption period, so the sale is final once the certificate of title is issued.
Is mediation mandatory in Palm Beach County?+
Yes. Florida court-managed mediation automatically applies to residential foreclosures in Palm Beach. A court-appointed mediator works with you and the lender toward a modification or other resolution.
How long does a Palm Beach foreclosure take?+
Typically 12-24 months from complaint to sale; contested cases take longer. This timeline gives you room to negotiate, cure, or mount a defense before any forced sale.
Will I owe a deficiency after a Palm Beach foreclosure?+
Only if the lender moves within 1 year and the court's fair-market-value review supports it. In Palm Beach's strong property market, the deficiency over fair market value is often minimal.
Where can I get free help in Palm Beach County?+
The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and Coastal Legal Services provide free help to qualifying residents. Start with a HUD-approved housing counselor and attend your court-managed mediation with any support available.
More Resources for Palm Beach County Homeowners
Florida Foreclosure Laws
Complete state-level guide to foreclosure laws, timelines, and homeowner protections.
Foreclosure Defense
Comprehensive defense strategies to stop or delay foreclosure in any U.S. county.
Free Case Review
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