In Florida, if a bank, lender or servicer anticipates filing a foreclosure action, there are certain steps it must take prior to doing so. These provisions are called conditions precedent to foreclosure. State and federal law, as well as the contractual language of the mortgage and promissory note, set forth some of those requirements. Financial institutes are under the obligation to abide by these conditions. Failure to do so opens the door to defenses to the foreclosure claim which can lead to dismissal of the case.