Florida Statute 77.1 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title VI
CIVIL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Chapter 77
GARNISHMENT

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F.S. 77.01

77.01 Right to writ of garnishment.—Every person or entity who has sued to recover a debt or has recovered judgment in any court against any person or entity has a right to a writ of garnishment, in the manner hereinafter provided, to subject any debt due to defendant by a third person or any debt not evidenced by a negotiable instrument that will become due absolutely through the passage of time only to the defendant by a third person, and any tangible or intangible personal property of defendant in the possession or control of a third person. The officers, agents, and employees of any companies or corporations are third persons in regard to the companies or corporations, and as such are subject to garnishment after judgment against the companies or corporations.

History.—s. 1, ch. 43, 1845; s. 1, ch. 3738, 1887; RS 1666; s. 1, ch. 4136, 1893; GS 2130; s. 1, ch. 6910, 1915; RGS 3431; CGL 5284; s. 27, ch. 67-254; s. 21, ch. 2000-258; s. 14, ch. 2001-154.

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Amendments to 77.01

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 77.01

Total Results: 45

In Re British American Ins. Co. Ltd.

425 B.R. 884, 22 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. B 390, 2010 Bankr. LEXIS 757, 52 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 286

United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | Filed: Mar 22, 2010 | Docket: 1497199

Cited 27 times | Published

Mr. Lopez as Judicial Manager for BAICO under Section 77(1)(b) of the Insurance Act, 2005 (the "Bahamas

Gallagher v. Dupont

918 So. 2d 342, 2005 WL 3326617

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 9, 2005 | Docket: 1361607

Cited 27 times | Published

Count II, Dupont sought garnishment pursuant to section 77.01, Florida Statutes (2002). Gallagher and the

Garcia v. Santa Maria Resort, Inc.

528 F. Supp. 2d 1283, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 86193, 2007 WL 4127628

District Court, S.D. Florida | Filed: Nov 15, 2007 | Docket: 102582

Cited 22 times | Published

violations of § 12(2) of the 1933 Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77-1(2); and, (iv) Count V, alleging violations of the

Cathy Jackson-Platts v. General Electric Capital Corporation

727 F.3d 1127, 2013 WL 4463006, 2013 U.S. App. LEXIS 17580

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Aug 22, 2013 | Docket: 919372

Cited 20 times | Published

assets by judgment debtor), ivith id. § 77.01 (“Every person ... who ... has recovered judgment

Arnold, Matheny, Pa v. First Am. Holdings

982 So. 2d 628, 33 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 268, 2008 Fla. LEXIS 755, 2008 WL 1901686

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 1, 2008 | Docket: 2518612

Cited 19 times | Published

"possession or control" as those terms are used in section 77.01. We then analyze whether the obligations of

SEC. Bank v. Bellsouth Adv. & Pub. Corp.

679 So. 2d 795, 1996 WL 410683

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 24, 1996 | Docket: 1215719

Cited 19 times | Published

State v. Webb, 398 So.2d 820, 824 (Fla.1981). Section 77.01, Florida Statutes, describes the right to garnishment

United Presidential Life Ins. v. King

361 So. 2d 710

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Apr 27, 1978 | Docket: 1288668

Cited 15 times | Published

SUNDBERG, and KARL, JJ., concur. NOTES [1] Section 77.01, Fla. Stat. (1975) provides: Every person who

Efraim Rosen, Inc. v. Tavormina (In Re Armando Gerstel, Inc.)

43 B.R. 925, 40 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 643, 1984 Bankr. LEXIS 4749

United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | Filed: Oct 24, 1984 | Docket: 1424240

Cited 9 times | Published

which is in the hands of the garnishee. See section 77.01, Florida Statutes. In the instant case, Rosen

Rhodes v. Omega Research, Inc.

38 F. Supp. 2d 1353, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2226, 1999 WL 115488

District Court, S.D. Florida | Filed: Mar 1, 1999 | Docket: 2161340

Cited 7 times | Published

"person purchasing such security from him." 15 U.S.C. § 77(1)(a)(2). 1. Whether Rule 9(b) particularity requirements

Phillips v. General Finance Corporation of Florida

297 So. 2d 6, 1974 Fla. LEXIS 3698

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 15, 1974 | Docket: 1341282

Cited 7 times | Published

State to the Contrary notwithstanding." Fla. Stat. § 77.01, F.S.A., reads: "Every person who has sued to recover

Alejandre v. Republic of Cuba

42 F. Supp. 2d 1317, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4137, 1999 WL 181917

District Court, S.D. Florida | Filed: Mar 18, 1999 | Docket: 1253559

Cited 6 times | Published

through a Writ of Garnishment. See Fla. Stat.Ann, § 77.01 (West 1998). Plaintiffs apparently recognized this

Kane v. Stewart Tilghman Fox & Bianchi, P.A.

197 So. 3d 137, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 11413, 2016 WL 4016280

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 27, 2016 | Docket: 60256208

Cited 5 times | Published

Inc., 982 So.2d 628, 632 (Fla.2008). Under section 77.01, Florida Statutes (2013), “[ejvery person or

Florida Steel Corp. v. AG Spanos Enterprises, Inc.

332 So. 2d 663, 1976 Fla. App. LEXIS 14444

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 2, 1976 | Docket: 1314473

Cited 5 times | Published

governed by Florida Statutes, Chapter 77. Fla. Stat. § 77.01 (1975) states, in part: "Every person who has sued

Raiford v. Buslease, Inc.

825 F.2d 351, 56 U.S.L.W. 2164

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Aug 24, 1987 | Docket: 66227893

Cited 4 times | Published

accordance with § 12(1) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77/ (1). The district court, finding the plaintiffs'

Tomlin v. Anderson

413 So. 2d 79

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 31, 1982 | Docket: 1345431

Cited 4 times | Published

to the corporation. The garnishment statute, section 77.01, Florida Statutes (1979), allows garnishment

Branch Banking & Trust Co. v. ARK Development/Oceanview, LLC

150 So. 3d 817, 2014 Fla. App. LEXIS 15633, 2014 WL 4988471

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 8, 2014 | Docket: 60244323

Cited 3 times | Published

due exclusively to Joseph Kod-si,” relying on section 77.01, Florida Statutes (2013), and Ginsberg v. Goldstein

Lamb v. Household Finance Corp. III (In Re Lamb)

409 B.R. 534, 21 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. B 795, 2009 Bankr. LEXIS 1775, 2009 WL 1872677

United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Florida | Filed: Jun 15, 2009 | Docket: 1111217

Cited 3 times | Published

the judgment in the Main Action. Pursuant to Section 77.01, Florida Statutes (2009), "[e]very person who

Capital Factors, Inc. v. Alba Rent-A-Car, Inc.

965 So. 2d 1178, 2007 Fla. App. LEXIS 13418, 2007 WL 2428538

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 29, 2007 | Docket: 64852619

Cited 2 times | Published

debt due subject to garnishment pursuant to section 77.01, Florida Statutes. The judgment debtors also

Michael Acri Boxing Promotions, Inc. v. Miles

758 So. 2d 704, 2000 WL 257144

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 8, 2000 | Docket: 2584843

Cited 2 times | Published

of the "possession and control" language in section 77.01, Florida Statutes. The better policy, in my

Hattaway v. McMillian

859 F. Supp. 560, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11083, 1994 WL 407193

District Court, N.D. Florida | Filed: Jun 17, 1994 | Docket: 942052

Cited 2 times | Published

the possession or control of a third person." § 77.01, Fla.Stat. (1991). Indebtedness due an insured

Seaboard Surety Co. v. Acme Wellpoint Corp.

156 So. 2d 688

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 9, 1963 | Docket: 60215784

Cited 2 times | Published

under which it is resorted to.” The statute (F.S. 77.01, F.S.A.) provides: “Every person who * * * shall

In Re Miller

248 B.R. 198, 44 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 79, 13 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. B 185, 2000 Bankr. LEXIS 500, 2000 WL 622748

United States Bankruptcy Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Jan 24, 2000 | Docket: 2512405

Cited 1 times | Published

applicable. Fed.R.Civ.P. 69(a) (2000). Fla. Stat. § 77.01 provides that "[E]very person who has . . . recovered

PHYSICIANS CARE CENTERS OF FLORIDA, LLC v. PNC NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 17, 2022 | Docket: 64898835

Published

possession or control of a third person. § 77.01, Fla. Stat. (2021) (emphasis added). “Under

Florida Recovery Adjusters v. Pretium Homes

261 So. 3d 664

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 21, 2018 | Docket: 8221187

Published

motion for garnishment after final judgment. See § 77.01, Fla. Stat. (2017). Turning next to Pretium’s

Branch Banking And Trust Company v. ARK Development/Oceanview, LLC, etc., Joseph Kodsi, etc., SKD Acquisition Corp., etc., LAE NYY, LLC, etc., Stone Profiles (I), LLC, etc., Smith & Sons Construction of Florida, LLC, etc., and Michael Wall Plumbing Services, Inc., etc.

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 8, 2014 | Docket: 1432484

Published

due exclusively to Joseph Kodsi,” relying on section 77.01, Florida Statutes (2013), and Ginsberg v. Goldstein

Merriman Investments, LLC v. Ujowundu

123 So. 3d 1191, 2013 WL 5813970, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 17216

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 30, 2013 | Docket: 60234899

Published

debtor’s wages to recover unpaid judgments. See § 77.01, Fla. Stat. (2011) (“Every person or entity who

Pineiro v. American Express Card Services Co.

105 So. 3d 614, 2013 WL 163465, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 570

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 16, 2013 | Docket: 60227906

Published

provisions of the garnishment statute is required). Section 77.01, Florida Statutes (2010), states that “[e]very

General R.A.C., Inc. v. Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Inc.

876 So. 2d 606, 2004 Fla. App. LEXIS 8092, 2004 WL 1252950

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 9, 2004 | Docket: 64831351

Published

General argues, however, that amendments made to section 77.01 and section 77.06(1), Florida Statutes (2002)

First Union National Bank of Florida v. Knyal

874 So. 2d 716, 2004 Fla. App. LEXIS 7725, 2004 WL 1196983

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 2, 2004 | Docket: 64830949

Published

Union has the right to a writ of garnishment. § 77.01, Fla. Stat. (2003). Upon motion by the plaintiff

Murray v. Nationsbank of Florida, N.A.

846 So. 2d 548, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 4430, 2003 WL 1720099

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 2, 2003 | Docket: 64823187

Published

section 5284 (1927), section 77.01, Florida Statutes (1941), and section 77.01, Florida Statutes (1965)

Ago

Florida Attorney General Reports | Filed: Jul 14, 1998 | Docket: 3258686

Published

protection will not be implied or inferred.4 Section 77.01, Florida Statutes, provides generally for garnishment:

Paz v. Hernandez

654 So. 2d 1243, 1995 Fla. App. LEXIS 5045, 1995 WL 294421

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 10, 1995 | Docket: 64756360

Published

belonging to appellants. In 1993, pursuant to section 77.01, Florida Statutes (1993), the garnishment *1244statute

Pippin v. National Union Fire Insurance

845 F. Supp. 849, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2877, 1994 WL 73623

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Feb 22, 1994 | Docket: 65989208

Published

5th DCA 1982). Florida’s garnishment statute, Section 77.01 Fla.Stat. (1991), provides that a judgment creditor

Hughes Supply, Inc. v. A.A. Electric Corp.

145 F.R.D. 590, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 158, 1993 WL 5204

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Jan 11, 1993 | Docket: 66306984

Published

R. 925 (Bankr.S.D.Fl.1984) (quoting Fla.Stat. § 77.01). *593Under Florida law, which governs in the instant

Flanary v. Bailey

591 So. 2d 308, 1991 Fla. App. LEXIS 12744, 1991 WL 273703

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 27, 1991 | Docket: 64664239

Published

find any basis for appellees’ argument that section 77.01, Florida Statutes (1989) has altered the Post

Fehlhaber v. Fehlhaber ex rel. Estate of Fehlhaber

850 F.2d 1453

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Aug 1, 1988 | Docket: 66236371

Published

possession or control of a third person. Fla.Stat.Ann. § 77.01. A 1937 Fifth Circuit case upon which defendants

Merrell v. Bonita Springs Golf Course, Ltd.

512 So. 2d 974, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 1855, 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 9603

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 31, 1987 | Docket: 64629582

Published

motion alleged that the writs were contrary to section 77.01, et seq., Florida Statutes (1985), in that there

Foster v. Jesup & Lamont Securities Co.

759 F.2d 838, 1985 U.S. App. LEXIS 29385

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: May 6, 1985 | Docket: 66205766

Published

. 15 U.S.C.A. § 77e (West 1981). . Id. at § 77/(1). . Id. at §§ 77q, 77/ (2). . 15 U.S.C.A. §

Coleman Music & Games Co. v. McDaniel

411 So. 2d 193, 1981 Fla. App. LEXIS 21171

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 23, 1981 | Docket: 64588606

Published

person to the claims of the judgment creditor. § 77.01, Fla.Stat. (1979). Since the maker of a negotiable

Scogin v. Scogin's Inc.

287 So. 2d 712, 1974 Fla. App. LEXIS 8987

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 9, 1974 | Docket: 64536475

Published

garnishee under the Florida Garnishment Statute (F.S. 77.01 F.S.A.). This statute reads as follows : “Right

Newell ex rel. Palm Beach County v. Awbrey

277 So. 2d 18, 1973 Fla. LEXIS 4469

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Apr 25, 1973 | Docket: 64532029

Published

general law relating to garnishment, to-wit, Section 77.01 et seq., F.S.1969, F.S.A., and particularly

Awbrey v. Newell

260 So. 2d 281, 1972 Fla. App. LEXIS 6967

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 7, 1972 | Docket: 64525192

Published

general law relating to garnishment, to-wit, Section 77.01 et seq., F.S.1969, F.S.A., and particularly

State ex rel. Cosgrove v. Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court ex rel. Dade County

252 So. 2d 597, 1971 Fla. App. LEXIS 6050

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 28, 1971 | Docket: 64522124

Published

provided by Fla.Stat. Chap. 77. Florida Statute § 77.01 F.S.A., provides: “Every person who has sued to

Barrett ex rel. Dawson v. Traister

191 So. 2d 608, 1966 Fla. App. LEXIS 4546

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 1, 1966 | Docket: 64498576

Published

garnishor. Reversed and remanded. . See Ma.Stat. § 77.01, F.S.A.; Oper v. Air Control Products, Inc. of

Gordman Corp. v. Bethell Construction Co.

77 So. 2d 449, 1954 Fla. LEXIS 1953

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Dec 14, 1954 | Docket: 64486282

Published

supplied.) Section 5284, C.G.L., is the same as Section 77.01, Florida Statutes 1953, F.S.A., and provides