If you have a legal dispute with another person or business, you may decide to take that person or business to court so you can be compensated financially for your claims against them. However, you must know exactly where to file your case and what forms and information are required. Here in Leon County, you must first know the total dollar amount of compensation you are seeking. This amount will determine which court is appropriate to hear your case, as follows:
- $8,000 or less – Small Claims Court
- over $8,000 but less than $30,000 – Leon County Civil Court
- over $30,000 – 2nd Circuit Civil Court
Note that these totals do not include filing fees, interest, or attorney’s fees. Once you’ve determined which court will hear your case, it’s time to file. The paperwork required for your case entirely depends on the specifics of your case and where it is filed.
Small Claims Court
If your case is filed in Leon County’s Small Claims Court, you will first file a Statement of Claim with the Leon County Clerk of Court. Along with the completed Statement of Claim, you also need to submit copies of any contracts, notices, leases, receipts, or anything else you believe substantiates your claim. Bring the originals of these documents to your first court appearance.
Leon County Civil Court
The County Civil Court handles a wider variety of cases than the Small Claims Court. Along with cases with a stated value over $8,000 but under $30,000, County Civil Court also handles replevins, evictions, landlord-tenant cases, non-monetary civil matters, non-monetary equity matters, and control of animals. Because of this variety, the forms required to file a case in County Civil Court will be different in almost every case. However, all cases require a County Civil Cover Sheet and Fact Information Sheet. For other forms related to cases heard in County Civil Court, see this website.
2nd Circuit Civil Court
Finally, for cases valued over $30,000, there is the Circuit Civil Court. Leon County is included in Florida’s 2nd Judicial Circuit, which also covers Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, Wakulla, and Franklin counties. This court also hears cases on injunctions, declaratory judgments, mortgage foreclosures, negligence, and professional malpractice. To file a case in the 2nd Circuit Civil Court, we highly recommend you use the services of a reputable attorney licensed to work in Florida. However, if you choose to file your own case, you will need the same Civil Cover Sheet and Fact Information Sheet that is used for County Civil Court.
After You File, Leave the Process to Accurate Serve®
Once you’ve filed your case with the proper court, the next step is to serve the defendants and witnesses in your case. Trust the professionals at Accurate Serve® of Tallahassee to get your process where it needs to go quickly and lawfully. Call us at (850) 519-5494 or send us a work request online to get started today.
