Opinion
No. 87-3357.
March 15, 1989.
Appeal from the Circuit Court, Broward County, Estella M. Moriarty, J.
Paul D. Novack of Rosen Switkes, Miami Beach, for appellant.
Eric J. Braunstein of Goodman Webber, P.A., Hollywood, for appellee.
This is an appeal from an order denying appellant's motion to set aside a final judgment on the grounds that the trial court never acquired personal jurisdiction over the appellant. At issue below was whether the appellant resided at the address where a summons was served upon his daughter. In essence, if appellant could prove he did not reside at that address then no jurisdiction was acquired and the subsequent judgment was void. Cf. Gamboa v. Jones, 455 So.2d 613 (Fla. 3d DCA 1984). However, the trial court denied appellant's motion apparently relying on the fact that appellant later received actual notice of the lawsuit. We believe the trial court failed to apply the correct legal test, that of the appellant's residency at the time of service of process. Accordingly, we reverse and remand with directions that the trial court reconsider the appellant's motion and resolve the issue set out above. The trial court may, at its discretion, resolve the issue on the present record, or direct further proceedings.
HERSEY, C.J., and DOWNEY and ANSTEAD, JJ., concur.