Which Florida court hears your civil case
Civil jurisdiction thresholds with statutory authority. Source: 1Court Directory, verified 2026-08-20 (official source).
| Tier | Court | Amount in controversy | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims | County Court: Small Claims Claims under $8,000. | Up to $8,000 | Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010 |
| Limited civil | County Court $8,000-$50,000; CPI-adjusted from 2030, never below $50,000. | Up to $50,000 | Fla. Stat. § 34.01 (eff. 2023-01-01) |
| General civil | Circuit Court Over $50,000. | No limit | Fla. Stat. § 26.012 |
Answer deadline after service
A defendant generally has 20 days after service of the summons and complaint to file an answer (Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.140(a)).
Estimates from the statutory answer period; service-method extensions and local rules can change these dates. Verify before relying on them. Not legal advice.
27 Florida forms SimpleCase prepares
Generated from your uploaded complaint, with captions and terminology matched to Florida practice. Every document is a draft for attorney review.
- Notice of Appearance(pattern) Appearance of counsel; service on undersigned requested
- Motion for Continuance(pattern) Good-cause continuance with proposed order
- Notice of Deposition(pattern) Oral deposition with optional duces tecum; recording method per rule
- Civil Subpoena(pattern) Testimony and/or production (duces tecum); issuance and witness-fee rules vary
- Answer(pattern) Responsive pleading: denials and affirmative defenses
- Satisfaction of Judgment(pattern) Fla. Stat. § 55.141: acknowledgment of satisfaction for entry on the docket
- Proof of Service by MailProof of service by first-class mail: FL
- Form 1.997 Civil Cover SheetFL mandatory civil cover sheet
- Form 1.902 SummonsFL standard civil summons: 20-day response
- Track DesignationFL case track designation (Streamlined/General/Complex)
- Motion for Clerk's DefaultClerk enters default when defendant fails to respond: Rule 1.500(a)
- Affidavit of Military ServiceSCRA compliance: required for every default
- Motion for Default Final JudgmentProposed final judgment after clerk's default: Rule 1.500(b)
- Application for Indigent StatusFee waiver: Fla. Stat. § 57.082
- Voluntary DismissalRule 1.420(a): notice of voluntary dismissal
- Form 1.914(a) Writ of ExecutionLevy on debtor's non-exempt property
- Form 1.907 Writ of GarnishmentGarnish wages or bank accounts: Fla. Stat. Ch. 77
- Form 1.998 Final DispositionRequired when case is closed: uniform case reporting
- Statement of Claim: Small Claims (Form 7.330)(pattern) Small claims under $8,000 (Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010/7.050); clerk issues notice to appear
- 3-Day Notice: Rent DemandFla. Stat. 83.56(3) statutory language; condition precedent; excludes Sat/Sun/holidays
- 7-Day Notice to CureFla. Stat. 83.56(2)(b): curable noncompliance
- 7-Day Notice of Termination (Noncurable)Fla. Stat. 83.56(2)(a): destruction, damage, repeated conduct
- Complaint for Eviction(pattern of the approved form) Fla. Stat. 83.59: County Court; possession + optional rent count
- Eviction Summons: Residential (5 working days)(Form 1.923 pattern) includes the 83.60(2) court-registry rent deposit warning
- Motion for Clerk's Default: EvictionRule 1.500(a); no response or no registry deposit
- Final Judgment: Eviction (proposed)Possession + writ direction per 83.62; optional rent and costs
- Motion for Writ of PossessionFla. Stat. 83.62: sheriff executes after 24-hour posted notice
Filing packages
One click assembles the forms a Florida matter typically needs at each stage.
Eviction: Notices to Tenant
3-Day Notice: Rent Demand · 7-Day Notice to Cure · 7-Day Notice of Termination (Noncurable)
Eviction: File & Serve
Complaint for Eviction · Eviction Summons: Residential (5 working days)
Eviction: Default & Judgment
Motion for Clerk's Default: Eviction · Affidavit of Military Service · Final Judgment: Eviction (proposed)
Eviction: Writ of Possession
Motion for Writ of Possession
General Civil
Form 1.997 Civil Cover Sheet · Form 1.902 Summons · Track Designation · Proof of Service by Mail
Collections: File & Serve
Form 1.997 Civil Cover Sheet · Form 1.902 Summons · Track Designation
Collections: Default Judgment
Motion for Clerk's Default · Affidavit of Military Service · Motion for Default Final Judgment
Collections: Enforce Judgment
Satisfaction of Judgment · Form 1.914(a) Writ of Execution · Form 1.907 Writ of Garnishment
Fee Waiver / Indigent Status
Application for Indigent Status
Voluntary Dismissal
Voluntary Dismissal
Close Case
Form 1.998 Final Disposition
County-level court details
Filing fees, clerk contacts, e-filing portals, and courthouse addresses for every Florida county are in the 1Court Directory: Florida.
How it works
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Every required form, filled and assembled as a ZIP, ready for attorney review and filing.
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Try SimpleCase freeSimpleCase prepares document drafts for attorney review; it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using it. Court data on this page is sourced from the 1Court Directory with the verification date shown, and statutes and court rules change: always confirm current requirements, deadlines, and fees with the clerk of the court before filing.