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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Hi Andrea,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>My understanding is that generally an owner is the
prevailing party when there is a dismissal in a lien foreclosure action. However,
there is the argument that an owner cannot be the prevailing party where there
is a dismissal without prejudice done prior to the statute of limitations because
the lienor can technically re-file the lawsuit. Certainly, you could argue that
the owner did not prevail on the “significant issues†as well. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I think you are right on that the owner can only recover
fees after the filing of the lawsuit.</span></font><font color=blue
face=Garamond><span style='font-family:Garamond;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Garamond><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Garamond;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If you dispute entitlement to fees, the owner can recover
for litigating on that issue but not for litigating the amount. See, State Farm
Fire v. </span></font><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Palma</span></font><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'> 629 So.2d 830 (</span></font><font
size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Fla.</span></font><font
size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'> 1993). Â As
such, I would stipulate that they are entitled to fees and offer them a couple
hundred to go away. If they want to fight over the amount, make them go to an
evidentiary hearing. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Garamond><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Garamond;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Hope this helps.</span></font></p>
<div>
<p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:blue'>Jason A. Brazelton, Esquire<br>
Moody and Shea, P.A.<br>
14501 Walsingham Road<br>
Largo, Florida 33774<br>
(727) 596-3000<br>
(727) 596-3006 - Fax<br>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org
[mailto:clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b></span></font><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Andrea Fair</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, June 20, 2012
11:35 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b>
clc-discussion@lists.flabarrpptl.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>CLC</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-Discussion]
QUESTION RE: FEES UNDER 713.29</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>I represent a
subcontractor in a lien foreclosure, etc. lawsuit against the owner and the
GC. My client negotiated a settlement directly with the GC and not with
the owner. No release or stip was entered so the issue re: fees under
713.29 remained “open.†The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice before
the owner even responded to the Complaint but after the owner transferred the
lien per 713.24. We stipulated to the release of the security but
the owner is seeking fees under 713.29. Does the owner have a valid claim
for fees under 713.29? My understanding is that the owner first has to
establish that it prevailed on the significant issues (and there were no
issues) and then the owner would also only be entitled to recover those fees
that were incurred after suit was filed (and only minimal fees could possibly
have been incurred between filing and dismissal --- though they did send me
their time sheets totaling over $4000). In addition, isn’t it true that
the owner cannot recover fees for establishing the amount of fees? Thank you in
advance for your input. ---Andrea</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 color="#244061"
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:#244061'>Andrea M. Fair-Purcell</span></font></p>
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face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:#244061'>Board Certified Construction Attorney</span></font></p>
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