Subject Matter Index
Civil Law
© 2026 Judicial & Administrative Research Associates, Inc.

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Volume 51, Issue 14
April 10, 2026

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APPEALS

Attorney's fees--Order determining entitlement to fees without setting amount 3DCA 649a

Criminal--see, CRIMINAL LAW--Appeals

Dissolution of marriage--Written opinion--Denial of motion 3DCA 650a

Final orders--Post-decretal orders--Order granting post-judgment intervention and relief from judgment--Timeliness of appeal 1DCA 653c

Jury instructions--Objections--Preservation of issue--Arguments first raised on appeal 6DCA 687c

Non-final orders--Attorney's fees--Order determining entitlement to fees without setting amount 3DCA 649a

Non-final orders--Order determining jurisdiction of person 6DCA 693a

Non-final orders--Summary judgment--Order granting summary judgment--Final judgment not entered 4DCA 664a

Rules of procedure--Amendment--Definitions SCO 85a

Rules of procedure--Amendment--Filing, service of copies, computation of time SCO 85a

Rules of procedure--Amendment--Form of documents SCO 85a

Rules of procedure--Amendment--Record SCO 85a

Summary judgment--Order granting summary judgment--Final judgment not entered 4DCA 664a

Timeliness--Post-decretal orders--Order granting post-judgment intervention and relief from judgment 1DCA 653c

Written opinion--Denial of motion 3DCA 650a

ATTORNEY'S FEES

Appeals--Order determining entitlement to fees without setting amount 3DCA 649a

Dissolution of marriage--Excessive award--Award for two-day trial where trial lasted only one day 6DCA 692a

BONDS

Construction--Public--Non-payment under bond--Notice--Fraudulent notice--Claimant's genuine belief that it was entitled to everything claimed--Relevance 4DCA 672a

Construction--Public--Non-payment under bond--Notice--Fraudulent notice--Exaggerated claim 4DCA 672a

Construction--Public--Non-payment under bond--Notice--Fraudulent notice--Notice prepared with such willful and gross negligence as to amount to willful exaggeration 4DCA 672a

CHILD SUPPORT

Arrearages--Failure to pay--Contempt--Hearing--Jurisdiction--General magistrate--Objection to referral of matter to general magistrate 3DCA 645a

Hearings--Jurisdiction--General magistrate--Objection to referral of matter to magistrate 3DCA 645a

Judges--Magistrates--Jurisdiction--Objection to referral of matter to magistrate 3DCA 645a

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Costs--Party obtaining judgment--Standard for award of costs--Distinction between section 57.041 and prevailing party standard governing attorney's fees awards 6DCA 688a

Default--Damages--Unliquidated--Amount specified in contractor's demand 6DCA 690a

Default--Damages--Unliquidated--Notice and opportunity to be heard 6DCA 690a

Depositions--Attorney-client privilege--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Deposition of attorney who represented insured in pursuit of underlying claim against insurer--Client's willingness to settle claim for less than policy limits and attorney's evaluation of claim 2DCA 655b

Depositions--Attorney-client privilege--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Necessarily required information 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Discussion 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Depositions--Attorney who represented insured in pursuit of underlying claim against insurer--Client's willingness to settle claim for less than policy limits and attorney's evaluation of claim 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Necessarily required information 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Insurance dispute--Waiver of privilege--First-party bad faith action 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Waiver--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Effect of bad faith action on privilege relating to insured's pursuit of underlying insurance claim 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Depositions--Attorney-client privilege--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Deposition of attorney who represented insured in pursuit of underlying claim against insurer--Client's willingness to settle claim for less than policy limits and attorney's evaluation of claim 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Depositions--Attorney-client privilege--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Necessarily required information 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Privilege--Attorney-client--Discussion 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Privilege--Attorney-client--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Depositions--Attorney who represented insured in pursuit of underlying claim against insurer--Client's willingness to settle claim for less than policy limits and attorney's evaluation of claim 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Privilege--Attorney-client--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Necessarily required information 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Privilege--Attorney-client--Waiver--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Effect of bad faith action on privilege relating to insured's pursuit of underlying insurance claim 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Privilege--Work product--Discussion 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Privilege--Work product--Inability to obtain information without undue hardship--Failure to address 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Privilege--Work product--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Privilege--Work product--Insurance dispute--Waiver of privilege--First-party bad faith action--Effect of bad faith action on privilege relating to insured's pursuit of underlying insurance claim 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Privilege--Work product--Waiver of privilege--Insurance dispute--First-party bad faith action--Effect of bad faith action on privilege relating to insured's pursuit of underlying insurance claim 2DCA 655b

Dismissal--Matters outside four corners of complaint--Affirmative defenses 4DCA 676a

Intervention--Post-judgment--Appeals--Timeliness 1DCA 653c

Judgment--Relief from--Appeals--Timeliness 1DCA 653c

Pro se filings--Prohibition--Notice and opportunity to be heard 4DCA 666a; 4DCA 666b

Relief from judgment--Appeals--Timeliness 1DCA 653c

CONSUMER LAW

Motor vehicle repairs--Written estimate--Failure to provide--Waiver--Express authorization and acceptance of benefits by owner 3DCA 682a

CONTEMPT

Child support--Arrearages--Failure to pay--Hearing--Jurisdiction--General magistrate--Objection to referral of matter to general magistrate 3DCA 645a

Hearings--Jurisdiction--General magistrate--Objection to referral of matter to general magistrate 3DCA 645a

CONTRACTS

Damages--Limitation of liability--Consequential damages resulting from breach 4DCA 665a

Real property sale--Specific performance--Agreement to purchase multiple parcels of land having various owners--Absence of contract or addendum executed by all parties 3DCA 680a

Software maintenance and development--Damages--Limitation of liability--Consequential damages resulting from breach 4DCA 665a

Specific performance--Real property sale--Agreement to purchase multiple parcels of land having various owners--Absence of contract or addendum executed by all parties 3DCA 680a

COSTS

Party obtaining judgment--Standard for award of costs--Distinction between section 57.041 and prevailing party standard governing attorney's fees awards 6DCA 688a

Prevailing party--Party obtaining judgment 3DCA 649a

COURTS

Records--Confidential--Rationale for confidential designation--Avoidance of substantial injury to third parties--Privacy interests not overriding public's right to inspect records 3DCA 681b

Records--Confidential--Unsealing 3DCA 681b

DECLARATORY JUDGMENTS

Default--Vacation--Standing--Claimants potentially entitled to seek payment from liability insurance proceeds--Standing to challenge default entered against insured--Claimants not yet obtaining verdict or settlement in their favor 3DCA 679d

Insurance--Coverage dispute--Liability insurance--Insurer's action against insured and third-party claimants potentially entitled to seek payment from insurance proceeds--Default by insured--Vacation--Standing--Third-party claimants--Claimants not yet obtaining verdict or settlement in their favor 3DCA 679d

DEPENDENT CHILDREN

Termination of parental rights 3DCA 682b

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Appeals--Written opinion--Denial of motion 3DCA 650a

Attorney's fees--Excessive--Award for two-day trial where trial lasted only one day 6DCA 692a

Child custody--Time-sharing--Injunction 3DCA 650a

Default--Vacation--Denial--Failure to seek relief from underlying clerical default--Evidentiary hearing--Necessity--Vacation sought on ground of mistake or misconduct by adverse party 3DCA 681a

Default--Vacation--Mistake or misconduct by adverse party--Evidentiary hearing 3DCA 681a

Equitable distribution--Marital assets--Sale during pendency of case 6DCA 692a

Marital assets--Equitable distribution--Sale during pendency of case 6DCA 692a

ESTATES

Wills--Challenge--Standing--Interested person--Injury in fact--Change in legal status resulting in patently different tax treatment between original and challenged wills 4DCA 667b

Wills--Challenge--Standing--Interested person--Injury in fact--Change in share of estate--Relevance 4DCA 667b

Wills--Challenge--Testamentary capacity 4DCA 667b

EVIDENCE

Best evidence rule 6DCA 704a

Exhibits--Objection--Appeals--Waiver of issue--Abandonment of earlier pretrial objection 4DCA 663a

Expert--Daubert analysis--Threshold inquiry--Scope 3DCA 648a

Expert--Daubert analysis--Threshold inquiry--Weight of evidence--Improper consideration 3DCA 648a

HOSPITALS

Medical malpractice--Negligent credentialing--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Standard of care--Sufficiency of affidavit 3DCA 645b

Medical malpractice--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Negligent credentialing--Standard of care--Sufficiency of affidavit 3DCA 645b

Child custody--Time-sharing 3DCA 650a

INSURANCE

Bad faith--Failure to settle--Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Information related to attorney's representation of insured in connection with underlying insurance claim--Discussion 2DCA 655b

Bad faith--Failure to settle--Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Information related to attorney's representation of insured in connection with underlying insurance claim--Necessarily required information 2DCA 655b

Bad faith--Failure to settle--Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Waiver--Effect of bad faith action on privilege relating to insured's pursuit of underlying insurance claim 2DCA 655b

Bad faith--Failure to settle--Discovery--Depositions--Attorney who represented insured in connection with underlying insurance claim--Attorney-client and work product privileges--Discussion 2DCA 655b

Bad faith--Failure to settle--Discovery--Work product--Information related to attorney's representation of insured in connection with underlying insurance claim--Discussion 2DCA 655b

Bad faith--Failure to settle--Discovery--Work product--Waiver of privilege--Effect of bad faith action on privilege relating to insured's pursuit of underlying insurance claim 2DCA 655b

Declaratory judgments--Coverage dispute--Liability insurer's action against insured and third-party claimants potentially entitled to seek payment from insurance proceeds--Default by insured--Vacation--Standing--Third-party claimants--Claimants not yet obtaining verdict or settlement in their favor 3DCA 679d

Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Bad faith action--Depositions--Attorney who represented insured in connection with underlying claim against insurer--Client's willingness to settle claim for less than policy limits and attorney's evaluation of claim 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Bad faith action--Information related to attorney's representation of insured in connection with underlying insurance claim 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Attorney-client privilege--Bad faith action--Necessarily required information 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Depositions--Attorney-client privilege--Bad faith action--Deposition of attorney who represented insured in connection with underlying claim against insurer--Client's willingness to settle claim for less than policy limits and attorney's evaluation of claim 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Depositions--Attorney-client privilege--Bad faith action--Deposition of attorney who represented insured in connection with underlying claim against insurer--Discussion 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Depositions--Attorney-client privilege--Bad faith action--Deposition of attorney who represented insured in connection with underlying claim against insurer--Necessarily required information 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Work product--Bad faith action--Information related to attorney's representation of insured in connection with underlying insurance claim--Discussion 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Work product--Discussion 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Work product--Inability to obtain information without undue hardship--Failure to address 2DCA 655b

Discovery--Work product--Waiver of privilege--Effect of bad faith action on privilege relating to insured's pursuit of underlying insurance claim 2DCA 655b

Evidence--Expert--Daubert analysis--Threshold inquiry--Scope 3DCA 648a

Evidence--Expert--Daubert analysis--Threshold inquiry--Weight of evidence--Improper consideration 3DCA 648a

Homeowners--Coverage--Property damage--Plumbing leak--Jury instructions--Advice that structural fill under home was part of dwelling and/or material used in construction of home--Appeals--Preservation of issue 6DCA 687c

Homeowners--Coverage--Windstorm loss--Causation--Evidence--Expert--Exclusion--Status of expert as roofer rather than professional engineer 3DCA 648a

Homeowners--Coverage--Windstorm loss--Causation--Wind-created opening--Evidence--Expert--Daubert analysis--Threshold inquiry--Scope 3DCA 648a

Liability--Coverage--Declaratory judgment--Insurer's action against insured and third-party claimants potentially entitled to seek payment from insurance proceeds--Default by insured--Vacation--Standing--Third-party claimants--Claimants not yet obtaining verdict or settlement in their favor 3DCA 679d

Property--Coverage--Claimant's action against insurer--Dismissal--Limitation of actions--Equitable estoppel--Insurer's failure to make coverage determination until after expiration of statute of limitations despite timely notice and sworn proof of loss and extensive investigation 4DCA 676a

Property--Coverage--Claimant's action against insurer--Dismissal--Matters outside four corners of complaint--Affirmative defenses 4DCA 676a

Property--Coverage--Claimant's action against insurer--Limitation of actions--Statute of repose--Statute providing for commencement of action within 5 years of date of loss 4DCA 676a

Property--Coverage--Plumbing leak--Jury instructions--Advice that structural fill under home was part of dwelling and/or material used in construction of home--Appeals--Preservation of issue 6DCA 687c

Windstorm loss--Coverage--Causation--Evidence--Expert--Exclusion--Status of expert as roofer rather than professional engineer 3DCA 648a

Windstorm loss--Coverage--Causation--Wind-created opening--Evidence--Expert--Daubert analysis--Threshold inquiry--Scope 3DCA 648a

Windstorm loss--Coverage--Property damage--Limitation of actions--Equitable estoppel--Insurer's failure to make coverage determination until after expiration of statute of limitations despite timely notice and sworn proof of loss and extensive investigation 4DCA 676a

Windstorm loss--Coverage--Property damage--Limitation of actions--Statute of repose--Statute providing for commencement of action within 5 years of date of loss 4DCA 676a

JUDGES

Magistrates--General--Jurisdiction--Objection to referral of issue to general magistrate 3DCA 645a

JURISDICTION

Non-residents--Evidentiary hearing--Necessity 2DCA 659a

Torts--Non-residents--Evidentiary hearing--Necessity 2DCA 659a

JUVENILES

Counsel--Waiver--Inquiry--Failure to conduct prior to accepting plea 5DCA 686a

Plea--Counsel--Waiver--Inquiry--Failure to conduct 5DCA 686a

LIENS

Construction--Foreclosure--Default--Damages--Unliquidated--Amount specified in contractor's demand 6DCA 690a

Construction--Foreclosure--Default--Damages--Unliquidated--Notice and opportunity to be heard 6DCA 690a

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS

Insurance--Property--Coverage--Claimant's action against insurer--Dismissal--Equitable estoppel--Insurer's failure to make coverage determination until after expiration of statute of limitations despite timely notice and sworn proof of loss and extensive investigation 4DCA 676a

Insurance--Property--Statute of repose--Statute providing for commencement of action within 5 years of date of loss 4DCA 676a

Real property--Ejectment--Tax deed holder--Tax deed acquired prior to recording of warranty deed--Limitation of actions--Applicability of four-year statutory bar--Adverse possession at time tax deed recorded--Conflicting evidence 5DCA 684a

Real property--Quiet title--Tax deed holder--Applicability of four-year statutory bar--Adverse possession at time tax deed recorded--Conflicting evidence 5DCA 684a

Statute of repose--Insurance--Property--Statute providing for commencement of action within 5 years of date of loss 4DCA 676a

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Hospitals--Negligent credentialing--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Standard of care--Sufficiency of expert's affidavit 3DCA 645b

Hospitals--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Standard of care--Sufficiency of expert's affidavit--Negligent credentialing claim 3DCA 645b

Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Negligent credentialing by hospital--Standard of care--Sufficiency of expert's affidavit 3DCA 645b

MORTGAGES

Foreclosure--Judgment--Vacation--Due process--Relief beyond scope of hearing on bank's motion to confirm foreclosure sale 3DCA 651a

Foreclosure--Sale--Confirmation--Hearing--Due process--Relief beyond scope of hearing--Sua sponte vacation of underlying foreclosure judgment and dismissal of action with prejudice 3DCA 651a

REAL PROPERTY

Contracts--Sale--Specific performance--Agreement to purchase multiple parcels of land having various owners--Absence of contract or addendum executed by all parties 3DCA 680a

Ejectment--Tax deed holder--Tax deed acquired prior to recording of warranty deed--Limitation of actions--Applicability of four-year statutory bar--Adverse possession at time tax deed recorded--Conflicting evidence 5DCA 684a

Quiet title--Tax deed holder--Tax deed acquired prior to recording of warranty deed--Limitation of actions--Applicability of four-year statutory bar--Adverse possession at time tax deed recorded--Conflicting evidence 5DCA 684a

Riparian rights--Intersection between riparian rights and public trust doctrine governing sovereign submerged lands and equitable distribution test set forth in Hayes v. Bowman 6DCA 694b

Riparian rights--Property bordering on sovereign submerged lands--Lakefront property--Equitable distribution--Apportionment of metes and bounds of parties' respective riparian rights with regard to state-owned sovereign submerged land located beyond respective property boundaries 6DCA 694b

Riparian rights--Property bordering on sovereign submerged lands--Lakefront property--Reasonableness test 6DCA 694b

Sovereign submerged lands--Lake bottom--Intersection between riparian rights and public trust doctrine governing sovereign submerged lands and equitable distribution test set forth in Hayes v. Bowman 6DCA 694b

Sovereign submerged lands--Lake bottom--Riparian rights--Extensive discussion 6DCA 694b

Waterfront--Riparian rights--Interference--Reasonableness test 6DCA 694b

Waterfront--Riparian rights--Interference--View and access--Dock/boathouse design 6DCA 694b

Waterfront--Riparian rights--Intersection between riparian rights and public trust doctrine governing sovereign submerged lands and equitable distribution test set forth in Hayes v. Bowman 6DCA 694b

Waterfront--Riparian rights--Properties bordering on lake comprised of sovereign submerged lands--Equitable distribution--Apportionment of metes and bounds of parties' respective riparian rights with regard to state-owned sovereign submerged land located beyond respective property boundaries 6DCA 694b

Waterfront--Riparian rights--Properties bordering on lake comprised of sovereign submerged lands--Reasonableness test 6DCA 694b

RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE

Amendment--Conformance to prior amendments to Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration SCO 85a

TORTS

Hospitals--Medical malpractice--Negligent credentialing--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Standard of care--Sufficiency of expert's affidavit 3DCA 645b

Hospitals--Medical malpractice--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Standard of care--Sufficiency of expert's affidavit--Negligent credentialing claim 3DCA 645b

Hospitals--Negligent credentialing--Medical malpractice--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Standard of care--Sufficiency of expert's affidavit 3DCA 645b

Jurisdiction--Non-residents--Evidentiary hearing--Necessity 2DCA 659a

Medical malpractice--Hospitals--Negligent credentialing--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Standard of care--Sufficiency of expert's affidavit 3DCA 645b

Medical malpractice--Hospitals--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Standard of care--Sufficiency of expert's affidavit--Negligent credentialing claim 3DCA 645b

Medical malpractice--Presuit requirements--Corroborating medical expert--Negligent credentialing by hospital--Standard of care--Sufficiency of expert's affidavit 3DCA 645b

Product liability--Jurisdiction--Non-residents--Evidentiary hearing--Necessity 2DCA 659a

WILLS

Challenge--Standing--Interested person--Injury in fact--Change in legal status resulting in patently different tax treatment between original and challenged wills 4DCA 667b

Challenge--Standing--Interested person--Injury in fact--Change in share of estate--Relevance 4DCA 667b

Challenge--Testamentary capacity 4DCA 667b