How do I file a claim in small claims court?

To file a claim in small claims court in Florida, you must first decide if the claim is an appropriate case for small claims court. Small claims court handles civil cases in which the amount in dispute is limited to $5,000 or less. If your case meets these requirements, you can proceed. Next, you must make sure you are filing your claim in the appropriate jurisdiction. You can only file in the county in which the person against whom you are filing the claim (the defendant) either lives or has a business. After you have decided which court you will use, you should download and fill out the appropriate forms. The forms can be found online on the Florida Courts website or at the clerk’s office of the court. After you complete the forms, you must file them with the clerk’s office and pay the associated filing fee. Next, you will need to serve the defendant with the documents. The clerk will provide instructions on how to serve the defendant with the documents. Once the documents are served, the defendant will then have 20 days to respond. Finally, after the defendant has responded, you will need to attend the hearing. The court will then make a decision based on the evidence presented at the hearing. Following these steps will allow you to file a claim in small claims court in Florida.

Related FAQs

How do I collect a judgment from an individual who does not have assets?
Can I represent someone else in small claims court?
Can I settle my small claims court dispute without going to trial?
How do I know if my case is eligible for small claims court?
How much does it cost to appeal a small claims court decision?
What is the cost of filing an appeal in small claims court?
How do I find out if a small claims court case is still active?
Are there any statutes of limitations on small claims court cases?
Can I submit evidence by mail in a small claims court case?
How do I calculate the amount of interest owed on a small claims court judgment?

How do I file a claim in small claims court?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts