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Small Claims
The Small Claims Division handles civil disputes that involve amounts of money up to $8,000. This division is responsible for assisting citizens in filing a small claim action by providing the necessary forms, instructional materials and references on small claims process.
Summons
After you file your small claims case, each person or business you are suing must be served with a summons/notice to appear in court on the date and time scheduled when you initially filed your claim. Additional fees are required for service of process on the parties being sued.
Money Collection
The court cannot collect money damages for you. Once a settlement or a judgment is rendered by the court, the case is closed, and any subsequent activity, including collection efforts will reopen the case. Per Florida Statute, the reopen fee for any civil action requiring judicial involvement will be required to be paid at the time of filing each pleading including motions, affidavit of amount due, motion for contempt or show cause, etc.
The reopen fee is $25 for all claims of not more than $500 and $50 for all claims of more than $500.
Mediation
Reasons the Judge will require mediation:
- Mediation is economical
- Settlement is viewed as fair by both parties
- One court meeting
- No need to subpoena evidence or witnesses and depend on their presence at trial
- No extensive trial preparation
- Preserves personal and business relationships
- Allows debtors to arrange repayment plans, avoid a judgment, and preserve credit reputation
- Protects privacy and avoids the publicity of trial
- Both parties remain in control and participate in a "win-win" solution
- The agreement is final and the dispute resolved
Create your court forms at home.
Small Claims - Cases where $8,000 or less is in dispute
- Statements of Claim
- Answer
For additional information select Small Claims Information Sheet (PDF).
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Physical Address
110 N Apopka Avenue
Inverness, FL 34450
Phone: 352-341-6424Fax: 352-341-6413
Please click on the links below for list of Customer Service details at each location:
Courthouse
Customer Service at the West Citrus Government Center
When contacting our office by phone, please select the following prompts to get to the correct department:- 1 for Payments
- 3 for Traffic and Other Citations
- 4 for Criminal Matters
- 5 for Civil Matters
- 6 for Family Related Matters
- 7 for Jury and Evidence
- 8 for Payment Plan Information
TDD
800-955-8771
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m
Related Documents
- Affidavit of Amount Due (PDF)
- Fact Information Sheet - Business Entity (PDF)
- Fact Information Sheet - Individual (PDF)
- How to Collect Your Money (PDF)
- Motion (PDF)
- Return of Property Form (PDF)
- Satisfaction of Judgment (PDF)
- Sheriff Info Sheet for Out of County Service (PDF)
- Small Claims Answer Form Generic (PDF)
- Small Claims Counterclaim (PDF)
- Small Claims Information Sheet (PDF)
- Small Claims Packet (PDF)
- Small Claims Replevin - Return of Weapons (PDF)
- Small Claims Replevin Packet (PDF)
- Subpoena Deposition Clerk (PDF)
- Subpoena Duces Tecum (PDF)
- Subpoena Duces Tecum Attorney (PDF)
- Subpoena Hearing Trial Attorney (PDF)
- Subpoena Witness (PDF)
- Voluntary Dismissal (PDF)
- Voluntary Dismissal of Small Claims Counterclaim (PDF)
- Glossary (PDF)