BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A Boca Raton condominium association has filed a civil lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court seeking to foreclose what it says is a recorded claim of lien for unpaid condominium assessments. The case, Panache at Boca Pointe Condominium Association, Inc. v. Robert A. Lehane and Cindy Schaeffer, et al., was filed Jan. 20, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida, under Case No. 502026CA000650XXXAMB.
The complaint names Robert A. Lehane and Cindy Schaeffer as defendants, along with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger with Wachovia Bank, National Association, the United States Small Business Administration, and “unknown party or parties in possession.” The association is represented by Poliakoff Backer, LLP, according to the filing. Defense counsel was not listed in the complaint.
The lawsuit is a civil filing, and the allegations are claims made by the plaintiff. They have not been proven in court.
In the complaint, the association says it is a Florida not-for-profit condominium association operating under Chapter 718 of Florida law and that the named “Owner” defendants are the fee simple owners of the unit described in the claim of lien attached as an exhibit. The association alleges it made assessments for common expenses against the unit and that the owners failed to pay the assessments on a timely basis as they became due.
The filing states the association recorded a claim of lien against the unit because of the alleged nonpayment, and that the assessments are delinquent. The association claims it is entitled to foreclose the lien under section 718.116, Florida Statutes, and it also alleges the lien secures unpaid assessments, interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees that are due and that may accrue after recording and before entry of a judgment of foreclosure.
An attached “Claim of Lien for Assessments” lists what the association describes as a total claimed outstanding balance of $1,982.62 as of Oct. 30, 2025, after line items including monthly assessments and a special assessment, plus charges and fees, and crediting total payments of $1,350, according to the exhibit.
The complaint also addresses other parties that may claim an interest in the property. It alleges Wells Fargo may claim an interest based on a mortgage recorded May 18, 2004, in the public records of Palm Beach County, and that the United States Small Business Administration may claim an interest based on a mortgage recorded Aug. 10, 2006, also in the county’s public records. The association alleges its lien relates back and is superior to those interests as described in the complaint, and it alleges any unknown parties in possession may claim some right, title, or interest that is inferior and subordinate to the association’s interest.
The lawsuit seeks a court determination of the amount the association says it is owed, including alleged interest, expenses, late charges, attorneys’ fees, and costs, and asks that the lien be foreclosed. The association also asks that the property be sold by the clerk of court to satisfy the lien, and it seeks other relief described in the filing, including a potential deficiency judgment for any amount the court finds remains unpaid after a sale and an order addressing possession following a foreclosure sale.
In a second count, the association also seeks damages against the owners, alleging it is entitled to recover unpaid assessments and related charges and fees, and requesting a judgment in an amount to be determined by the court.
The original complaint, Panache at Boca Pointe Condominium Association, Inc. v. Robert A. Lehane and Cindy Schaeffer, et al., Case No. 502026CA000650XXXAMB, as filed Jan. 20, 2026, with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, can be viewed here.
Related explainer: Foreclosure Actions (HOA & Residential).
