Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Florida
The most you can sue for in Florida small claims — with the filing-fee range and whether a lawyer is allowed, cited to the statute.
The limit, the fee & who can appear in Florida
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $8,000 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | ~$55–$300 per claim-value tier (Fla. Stat. §34.041): about $55 up to $100; ~$80 up to $500; ~$175 up to $2,500; ~$300 up to $8,000 |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Allowed |
| Statute / court rule | Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b) |
The Florida Supreme Court amended the Small Claims Rules effective January 1, 2026 (opinion SC2024-1765), but the $8,000 ceiling did NOT change — the amendment only added an exception for foreclosure actions. Anyone telling you the limit moved in 2026 is mistaken.
Where to file in Florida
A reference page, not a filing walkthrough — here's the official resource for procedure.
This page is a reference for the dollar limit, fee, and whether a lawyer is allowed — not a step-by-step filing guide. For the forms, where to file, and how service works, use Florida's official court self-help resource.
→ Florida Courts HelpWhat Florida filers get wrong
Florida's small-claims ceiling is $8,000, "exclusive of costs, interest, and attorneys' fees" — meaning the $8,000 is measured on the underlying claim, and add-ons can push the final judgment higher. The figure lives in the Small Claims Rules (Rule 7.010(b)), not a statute section, which is why it is easy to misquote. Watch the timing: the Florida Supreme Court amended those rules effective January 1, 2026, and some sites treated that as a limit increase — it wasn't. The $8,000 held; the change only carved out foreclosure actions. Lawyers are permitted, and the filing fee is tiered by claim size, from about $55 for the smallest claims up to roughly $300 at the $8,000 ceiling. The $8,000 figure has applied since January 1, 2020 (up from $5,000).
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Florida?
Florida small claims (county court) hears claims up to $8,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorneys’ fees, under Small Claims Rule 7.010(b). It has been $8,000 since January 1, 2020.
Did the Florida small claims limit change in 2026?
No. The Florida Supreme Court amended the Small Claims Rules effective January 1, 2026, but the $8,000 ceiling stayed the same — the change only added an exception for foreclosure actions.
Can I have a lawyer in Florida small claims court?
Yes. Florida allows attorneys in small claims, and businesses often use one, though many individuals appear on their own. Lawyers are not required.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Florida?
The fee is tiered to the amount claimed under Fla. Stat. §34.041 — roughly $55 for claims up to $100, about $80 up to $500, ~$175 up to $2,500, and ~$300 up to the $8,000 maximum, plus service costs.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.