Small claims court in Florida

$8,000maximum claim in County court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $8,000¹Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b)
The small claims rules cover county court cases worth up to $8,000, not counting costs, interest and attorney fees.
Court: County court¹Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010
Small claims cases are heard in county court.
Filing fee: $50 to $295 (statewide maximums)²Fla. Stat. 34.041(1)
State law caps county court filing fees by claim amount: $50 under $100, $75 for $100 to $500, $170 for over $500 to $2,500 and $295 for over $2,500. An extra $4 filing fee and a $10 summons charge also apply.
Lawyers: Yes¹Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.050, 7.230(b)
Parties may appear with or without a lawyer. A business may be represented at trial by a principal with authority to bind it, but only a lawyer may represent it on appeal.
Appeals: 30 days^1,3Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.230, Fla. R. App. P. 9.110(b)
A notice of appeal must be filed with the clerk of the court within 30 days after the judgment is rendered.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

How long you usually have to file, counted from when the claim arose. Exceptions apply.

Written contract: 5 years⁴Fla. Stat. 95.11(2)(b)
5 years for a claim based on a written contract.
Oral contract: 4 years⁴Fla. Stat. 95.11(3)(j)
4 years for a claim based on a contract that is not in writing.
Property damage: 4 years⁴Fla. Stat. 95.11(3)(g), 95.11(5)(a)
4 years for taking, keeping or damaging personal property. A property damage claim based on negligence, such as a car accident, must be brought within 2 years.
Personal injury: 2 years⁴Fla. Stat. 95.11(5)(a)
2 years for an injury claim based on negligence. Other injury claims may have different periods.

Small claims rules are set by state law and court rules, and fees are often set locally. Before you file, check the court's own page or call the clerk.

Sources

Florida Small Claims Rules (January 1, 2026), The Florida Bar (official rules publication), 2026-01-01official
Florida Statutes 34.041, Filing fees (2026 Florida Statutes), Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine), 2026official
Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure (September 1, 2026), The Florida Bar (official rules publication), 2026-09-01official
Florida Statutes 95.11, Limitations other than for the recovery of real property (2026 Florida Statutes), Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine), 2026official

Checked 29 October 2026. "Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read and mark them here.