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Small Claims Process Flowchart

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Commonly Asked Questions
Small Claims Forms
Where to File Small Claims Cases
Small Claims Process Flowchart
Collecting A judgment
Rules of Court that Govern County Civil Cases
Rules of Court that Govern Small Claims Cases
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Commonly Asked Questions:

1. WHAT DOES IT COST TO FILE A SMALL CLAIMS CASE?
2. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I FILE MY SMALL CLAIMS CASE?
3. WHAT HAPPENS AT THE PRE-TRIAL?
4. WHAT HAPPENS TO MY CASE IF A SETTLEMENT IS REACHED?
5. HOW CAN I COLLECT MY JUDGMENT?

WHAT DOES IT COST TO FILE A SMALL CLAIMS CASE?

Filing fees for Small Claims actions are determined by Florida Statutes and Pinellas County Ordinances, and are subject to change. A current "Schedule of Service Charges" is available on this website, as well as in any Clerks Office for your information.

Additional fees are required to serve the parties you are suing. You may contract with a Private Process Server to have the summons served or send it via certified mail. A list of Pinellas County private process servers is available here. If you need the Sheriff of another county to serve your notice, you will need to check their requirements and the address to which the notice should be sent.

Certified mail service cannot be used as method of service outside the state of Florida. However, a post office box, if it is within the state of Florida, can be used to serve via certified mail.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I FILE MY SMALL CLAIMS CASE?

The pre-trial will be set within 50 days of filing, usually within 3 to 4 weeks. You will be sent by mail your pre-trial date and time within 7 days of filing. Each person or business you are suing must be served with a Summons to appear in court on the date and time the pre-trial is scheduled.

You can check to see if a party has been served by reviewing the case docket online, HERE. It should state either "NOTICE RETURNED SERVED" or "NOTICE RETURNED NOT SERVED". If the docket shows a "NO SERVICE LETTER ISSUED", this means a letter was sent to the plaintiff explaining why the case was continued. If you need to serve the party again, a written request to the Clerk is required.

Small Claims Process Flowchart

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE PRE-TRIAL & /OR TRIAL?

Both parties must appear at the pre-trial or have an attorney appear for them. You should be prepared to present your case to the court at the pre-trial. If the dispute cannot be settled at this time, a trial date will be scheduled by the court for your case to be heard.

Witnesses can be subpoenaed for the trial. A trial by jury may be requested by the plaintiff upon written demand when the case is filed or by the defendant within 5 days after service of Notice to Appear at pre-trial.

Requesting another pre-trial date must be done in writing. Your case number and signature must be on the request.

When the case is filed, it is only assigned either "NPC" (designating the Clearwater Courthouse location) or "SPC" (designating the St. Petersburg location). A judge will not be assigned until you go to pre-trial and either a trial is set or an Order is signed.

At the trial you will have an opportunity to explain your case to the judge, ask the person(s) you are suing any questions concerning your claim, present your documentation as discussed at the pre-trial conference and call on your witnesses to help explain your case.

The Pinellas County Clerk of the Court has produced a helpful video about Pre-trial and Mediation:

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY CASE IF A SETTLEMENT IS REACHED?

If, at any time in the proceedings a settlement is reached between the parties, the plaintiff [person(s) who filed suit] must notify the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office, in writing, of the settlement. If a court date has been scheduled, the judge before whom the case is set should be notified.

If, "A Stipulation to Stay Entry of judgment" was entered into at the pretrial, but the defendants have not complied with it, in order to get a judgment:
A sworn (notarized) statement is needed per paragraph 2 of the Stipulation stating what is left due and owing. The amount cannot exceed the amount of the Stipulation. Once we receive this "Affidavit of Balance Due", the Clerk prepares the Final judgment and sends it to the Judge for signature. Copies will be mailed to both parties.

HOW CAN I COLLECT MY JUDGMENT?

Although, the court does not collect money damages for you, a judgment lien can be placed against the defendant's name by sending a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court to record a certified copy of your Judgment as a Judgment Lien. Fees for recording are set by statute and are subject to change by legislative action. Refer to the current "Schedule of Service Charges" available on this website, as well as in any Clerk's Office for additional information.

Other methods of collecting include garnishing wages or bank accounts and levying on an execution. You may also find useful information about "Collecting the Judgment", on this website.

A Small Claims case may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at any one of the locations listed below. Please Note: For faster and more efficient service all paperwork being mailed should be sent to the Civil Court Records address.

CIVIL COURT RECORDS
315 COURT STREET, ROOM 170
CLEARWATER,FLORIDA 33756
727-464-7000

NORTH COUNTY BRANCH OFFICE
29582 U.S. 19 NORTH
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA 33761
727-464-7000

ST. PETERSBURG BRANCH OFFICE
545 FIRST AVENUE, NORTH
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33701
727-464-7000

CLERK'S TYRONE BRANCH OFFICE
1800 - 66th STREET, NORTH
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33710
727-464-7000