Small Claims
Electronic Submission of Orders and Judgments (Judge Silverman's Proposed Order Process)
Effective September 1, 2015, proposed Orders must be submitted by email to jessica.silva@flcourts18.org. The document(s) should be submitted in Word format and should not be encrypted. The party submitting the order shall be directed to mail a copy to any self-represented party and file a certificate that they have done so. Orders must include the following language:
It is further ORDERED and ADJUDGED that within 5 days from the date of service of this Order/Judgment the Plaintiff shall:
1. Furnish a copy of this Order/Judgment to each self-represented party by U. S. Mail, first class, postage paid;
and
2. File a certificate signed by counsel that delivery of this Order/Judgment has been made as set forth hereto.
You may wish to visit Judge Silverman’s website: www.davidsilverman.com.
Small Claims
A Small Claims case is a legal action filed in county court to settle minor legal disputes among parties where the dollar amount involved is $5,000 or less, excluding costs, interest, and attorney fees. Because Small Claims court is considered a "people's court," it is not necessary to have an attorney to file a claim. Forms to file a small claim case are available at the County Civil Department at the Clerk's Office and here on our website. Attorneys are not precluded from this court, but are not required.
The Statement of Claim form is available at the Clerk's Office or on this website. If the form is signed outside of our office, it needs to be notarized. It can also be signed in the presence of a Deputy Clerk here at the Clerk's Office.
The case is filed in the county in which the incident took place. If the case is filed in the wrong county, the Defendant may ask the court to change the venue to the proper county.