Brevard County Small Claims Court

What you can sue for in Brevard County

Small claims court in Florida is built for money disputes, not for forcing someone to do something. Typical Brevard County cases involve an unpaid loan between individuals, a contractor who took a deposit and never finished, a landlord withholding a security deposit, a retail purchase or repair that failed, a fender bender within the state limit, or wages owed for work performed.

Florida small claims court is a division of the County Court and handles civil disputes where the amount claimed does not exceed $8,000. The court provides an accessible and affordable path for individuals and businesses to resolve monetary disputes. Florida is distinctive in that it allows attorney representation in small claims court, unlike many other states. Filing fees in Florida are tiered based on the claim amount: $55 for claims under $100, $80 for claims of $100–$500, $175 for claims of $500–$2,500, and $300 for claims of $2,500–$8,000. An additional $10 per defendant is charged for the summons. These fees are recoverable as court costs if you win your case. Florida small claims court is commonly used for collecting unpaid debts, recovering security deposits, seeking compensation for auto property damage, resolving contractor disputes, and addressing breach of contract matters. The court can award monetary judgments, including filing fees and court costs, which are recoverable from the losing party. To file, you must submit a statement of claim to the County Court in the county where the defendant lives, works, or where the dispute occurred. After filing, the court issues a summons for service on the defendant. Florida requires pre-trial mediation in many counties, which can help resolve disputes before a hearing. The process is designed to be efficient and practical for self-represented litigants.

Claims above the $8,000 limit do not disappear: plaintiffs often waive the excess to keep the case in small claims, where filing is cheaper and hearings are informal. You cannot split one dispute into several small claims filings to get around the cap. For a side-by-side view of every state, see our small claims limits by state.

After you win: turning a judgment into money

A judgment from Brevard County Courthouse does not make the defendant pay. Most people who collect in Brevard County do it through a wage garnishment, a bank levy, or a lien recorded against property, and each of those tools needs the debtor's employer, bank, or address on the paperwork. A demand letter sent before you file, or a skip trace after you win, is often what makes collection possible.

Where these get filed: Brevard County Courthouse. File the completed Statement of Claim with the clerk at the courthouse listed above. Florida requires the case to be filed in the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and the clerk sets the filing fee by claim amount.

Need Brevard County forms prepared and filed for you?

We complete the Florida forms for your claim, file them with the clerk, and arrange service on the defendant.