Seven stages, every one anchored to the rules' and forms' own text. The clocks link into the Deadline Engine for the full Rule 2.514 computation. Nothing here picks a form, weighs your facts, or predicts a result — the path is the law's; the decisions are yours, and a licensed Florida attorney is the right reader where judgment is needed.
- 01
Before filing — does this court fit, and where
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b)Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.060(a)Small claims covers money or property demands up to $8,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorneys' fees. The rules print their own venue menu — seven proper places to file — and the summons will show it to the defendant in bold, so a filing outside the menu invites a transfer request. Naming the right defendant matters the same way: a business is sued as the entity, and the clerk's records and Sunbiz name the entity exactly.
The law at this stage — verbatim
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b)These rules are applicable to all actions of a civil nature in the county courts which contain a demand for money or property, the value of which does not exceed $8,000 exclusive of costs, interest, and attorneys' fees.
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.060(a)A proper location or venue may be one of the following: 1. Where the contract was entered into. 2. If the suit is on an unsecured promissory note, where the note is signed or where the maker resides. 3. If the suit is to recover property or to foreclose a lien, where the property is located. 4. Where the event giving rise to the suit occurred. 5. Where any one or more of the defendants sued reside. 6. Any location agreed to in a contract. 7. In an action for money due, if there is no agreement as to where suit may be filed, where payment is to be made.
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.050(c)The clerk shall assist in the preparation of a statement of claim and other papers to be filed in the action at the request of any litigant. The clerk shall not be required to prepare papers on constructive service, substituted service, proceedings supplementary to execution, or discovery procedures.
Attorneys commonly send a written demand before filing — the claim forms themselves plead amounts already due and owing, and a dated demand letter is the kind of document a claim built on writing attaches.
- 02
The Statement of Claim — eight approved forms, each pleading its own elements
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.050(a)(1)Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.050(c)The case starts by filing a statement of claim in concise form stating the basis and amount. The Supreme Court approved eight claim forms for the common shapes — each pleads its own elements, shown below in the form's own structure. A claim based on a written document attaches a copy or its material part. The clerk assists in preparing the statement of claim at any litigant's request — the rule says shall.
The law at this stage — verbatim
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.050(a)(1)Actions are commenced by the filing of a statement of claim in concise form, which shall inform the defendant of the basis and the amount of the claim. If the claim is based on a written document, a copy or the material part thereof shall be attached to the statement of claim.
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.050(a)(2)Any business entity recognized under Florida law may be represented at any stage of the trial court proceedings by any principal of the business entity who has legal authority to bind the business entity or any employee authorized in writing by a principal. A non-attorney may not represent a business entity in appellate proceedings.
Which form fits a filing is the filer's call — each variant's elements say what it covers. The chooser below shows every variant side by side; none is preselected.
The eight approved claim forms — each pleading its own elements
Open any variant to see the allegations that form itself pleads — from the form's stored text. None is preselected; which fits a filing is the filer's decision. When you have chosen, the Official Forms Desk completes that form's own text with your answers.
Eight approved forms, none preselected — open any variant to see the allegations that form itself pleads. Which one fits a filing is the filer's decision.
- 01
Service — the summons commands a pretrial, and your claim rides with it
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.060Fla. Sm. Cl. R. Form 7.322The summons/notice to appear states the date and time of the first court date and carries the venue-rights paragraph in bold. A copy of the statement of claim is served with it. If the summons comes back unserved and the return is filed 5 days before the pretrial, the conference is canceled as to that party and a new summons with a new date can issue.
The law at this stage — verbatim
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.060(a)A proper location or venue may be one of the following: 1. Where the contract was entered into. 2. If the suit is on an unsecured promissory note, where the note is signed or where the maker resides. 3. If the suit is to recover property or to foreclose a lien, where the property is located. 4. Where the event giving rise to the suit occurred. 5. Where any one or more of the defendants sued reside. 6. Any location agreed to in a contract. 7. In an action for money due, if there is no agreement as to where suit may be filed, where payment is to be made.
- 02
The pretrial conference — within 50 days, and the case can end here
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090(a)–(b)Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.135The clerk sets the pretrial not more than 50 days from filing. Appearance is required — in person or through communication technology under Rule 2.530 where allowed. The conference records appearances, narrows issues, takes admissions, limits witnesses, and explores settlement. The summons itself warns the plaintiff: not appearing risks dismissal for lack of prosecution. And where no triable issue exists, Rule 7.135 says the court SHALL summarily enter an appropriate order or judgment — on the spot.
⏱ 50 days after — initial pretrial conference set (outer limit)⏱ 7 days before — disability-accommodation contactThe law at this stage — verbatim
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090(a)–(b)The summons/notice to appear shall specify that the initial appearance shall be for a pretrial conference. The initial pretrial conference shall be set by the clerk not more than 50 days from the date of the filing of the action. Appearance may be in person or through the use of communication technology under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530.
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.135At pretrial conference or at any subsequent hearing, if there is no triable issue, the court shall summarily enter an appropriate order or judgment.
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090(f)–(g)Unless otherwise ordered by the court, a nonlawyer representative may appear on behalf of a party to a small claims mediation if the representative has the party's signed written authority to appear and has full authority to settle without further consultation. Any agreements reached as a result of small claims mediation must be written in the form of a stipulation.
- 03
Mediation — often the same day, with settlement authority required
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090(f)–(g)Mediation may take place at the pretrial conference. Whoever appears for a party must hold full authority to settle without further consultation; agreements become written stipulations the court may enter as orders. Failing the authority requirement can carry the other side's costs and fees.
The law at this stage — verbatim
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090(f)–(g)Unless otherwise ordered by the court, a nonlawyer representative may appear on behalf of a party to a small claims mediation if the representative has the party's signed written authority to appear and has full authority to settle without further consultation. Any agreements reached as a result of small claims mediation must be written in the form of a stipulation.
- 04
Trial — within 60 days of the pretrial, on at least 10 days' notice
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090(d)Fla. Sm. Cl. R. Form 7.323Trial sets not more than 60 days from the pretrial, with at least 10 days' notice. The pretrial order's own instruction sheet governs preparation: bring every witness, document, and piece of evidence — there is only one trial. Written repair estimates usually need the estimator present. The proceeding is not recorded unless a party hires a court reporter, and the instruction sheet itself warns that an appeal without a record is severely limited.
The law at this stage — verbatim
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090(d)The court shall set the case for trial not more than 60 days from the date of the pretrial conference. Notice of at least 10 days of the time of trial shall be given.
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090(c)Unless required by order of court, written pretrial motions and defensive pleadings are not necessary. The filing of a motion or a defensive pleading shall not excuse the personal appearance of a party or attorney on the initial appearance date (pretrial conference).
- 05
Judgment — and the 45-day disclosure that follows a money win
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. Form 7.340Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.221The approved final-judgment form orders the losing defendant to complete the Fact Information Sheet (Form 7.343) and return it to the judgment holder within 45 days of the judgment — not filed with the court — unless the judgment is satisfied or a new-trial motion or appeal intervenes. The new-trial window is 15 days; appeals run under the appellate rules.
⏱ 45 days after — Fact Information Sheet (Form 7.343) returned⏱ 15 days after — motion for new trial filedThe law at this stage — verbatim
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.221 / Form 7.340 enforcement paragraphThe defendant(s) shall complete Florida Small Claims Rules Form 7.343 (Fact Information Sheet) and return it to the plaintiff's attorney, or to the plaintiff if the plaintiff is not represented by an attorney, within 45 days from the date of this final judgment, unless the final judgment is satisfied or a motion for new trial or notice of appeal is filed. The defendant should NOT file the completed form 7.343 with the court.
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.180(a)A motion for new trial shall be filed not later than 15 days after return of verdict in a jury action or the date of filing of the judgment in a nonjury action.
Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.230Review of orders and judgments of the courts governed by these rules shall be prosecuted in accordance with the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. A non-attorney may not represent a business entity in appellate proceedings.
TrialVector is software, not a law firm — legal information, not legal advice. The clerk assists with basic papers by rule (7.050(c)); the review bridge takes requests for free, and the attorney engages you directly. Back to the Command Center.