County Civil
County Civil is the jurisdiction that includes Summary Procedure, also known as Small Claims,
where damages sought range from $.01 to $8,000 (exclusive of costs, interest, and attorneys' fees). County Civil's
jurisdiction also includes other civil matters in which the damages sought do not exceed $50,000, Landlord/Tenant matters,
and appeals to the Circuit Civil level.
Small Claims Court Information and Resources
Visit the Small Claims Court page for information, forms and frequently asked questions.
Tenant and Landlord Issues
- How can I evict a tenant?
For Tenant Eviction Forms, please go to the following site:
www.flcourts.org
- For residential landlords - If the tenant fails to file a response and you believe you are entitled to a default by the clerk, you may use this form.
- Once the default is entered, you may use this form to Motion the Court for a Final Judgement.
- For residential landlords - If the tenant files a response, but you believe you are entitled to a default by the court under Section 83.60(2), Florida Statutes, you may use this form.
At the time of filing, you will need the following documents to present to the court:
- A Complaint for Landlord to Evict. The Clerk’s Office will need the original and (2) two copies for each adult tenant.
- A Notice from Landlord to Tenant. The Clerk’s Office will need (1) copy of the Notice from Landlord to Tenant for the court file and (2) copies of the Notice from Landlord to Tenant for each adult tenant.
- A Summons for each Tenant you are evicting. The Clerk’s Office will need (1) original and (2) copies for each adult tenant.
- A pre-addressed stamped envelope for each adult tenant.
The following fees are due at the time you file your complaint:
- Filing Fee $185.00 (Cash or Check made payable to Gary J. Cooney, Clerk of Court & Comptroller. If paying in person, you may pay by credit card. A credit card convenience fee will be charged).
- Summons Fee $10.00 for each summons issued. (Cash or Check made payable to Gary J. Cooney, Clerk of Court & Comptroller. If paying in person, you may pay by credit card. A credit card convenience fee will be charged).
- Service Fee $40.00 for each summons to be served. (Cash or Money Order made payable to the Lake County Sheriff).
Additional fees may be required at a later date to complete the eviction process.
If you need additional assistance, you may need to seek the advice of an attorney.
- What are my rights as a tenant? What are my rights as a landlord?
You may wish to seek the assistance of an attorney for these matters, or research the statutes online.
Property Recovery Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I recover my property from a person who refuses to return it?
A replevin action is used for resolving civil disputes involving personal property valued up to $50,000 (excluding court costs, interest, and/or attorney's fees, if applicable). This process allows an individual to recover property which another person refuses to return. Before filing a complaint, a person must know where the property is located. For a small fee, you may obtain the forms for filing a replevin from the Clerk's office. There are no forms available from the Clerk's office for amounts greater than $50,000. You may pick up the packet in person or you may have it mailed to you. There is an instruction sheet attached with information on the filing process and the associated filing fees.
- Why do I have to put money in the registry of the court at the time of filing an emergency replevin?
This type of replevin is considered a prejudgment writ of replevin. Section 78.068(3), Florida Statutes, requires that the Petitioner post a bond in the amount of twice the value of the goods subject to the writ or twice the balance remaining due and owing, whichever is less as determined by the Court, as security for the payment of damages the defendant may sustain when the writ is obtained wrongfully.
County Civil Fees
Most fees may be paid by check, money order, or credit card. A 3.5% nonrefundable fee is charged by the financial service provider for each credit card transaction. If using a credit card, a photo I.D. which matches the name of the credit card holder must be presented at the time of the transaction. Payment should be made payable to "Gary J. Cooney, Clerk of Court & Comptroller."
PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept cashier's checks more than two (2) months from the issue date. In some cases, a credit card payment is not accepted. View more information on general payments.
| Item |
Fee Amount |
| Small claims less than $100.00 |
$55.00 |
| Small claims $100 to $500.00 |
$80.00 |
| Small claims $500.01 to $2500.00 |
$175.00 |
| Small claims $2,500.01 to $8,000 |
$300.00 |
| Filing a claim of not more than $1,000.00 filed simultaneously with an action for replevin of property that is the subject of the claim |
$130.00 |
| County Civil $8,000.01 to $15,000 |
$300.00 |
| County Civil $15,000.01 to $50,000 |
$400.00 |
| Removal of Tenant |
$185.00 |
| Issuing each summons |
$10.00 |
| Filing cross-claim, counterclaim, or third-party complaint if relief sought by party exceeds $2500.00 |
$295.00 |
| Reopening a case, up to $500 |
$25.00 |
| Reopening a case, greater than $500 |
$50.00 |
| Additional filing fee for each timeshare estate joined in action |
$10.00 |
| Additional service charge for each proceeding of Garnishment, Attachment, Replevin and Distress |
$85.00 |
| Additional charge for each defendant over 5, per defendant |
$2.50 |
| Filing Notice of Appeal from County Court to Circuit Court |
$281.00 |
| Filing notice of Cross-appeal, Notice of Joinder, or Motion to Intervene as an appellant, Cross-appellant, or Petitioner (in cases greater than $2500.00) |
$295.00 |
|
For preparing, numbering and indexing an original record of Appellate Proceedings, per instrument
|
$3.50 |
| Clerk's Certificate |
$7.00 |
| For examining, comparing, correcting, verifying, and certifying transcripts of Appellate Proceedings prepared by someone other than the Clerk, per page |
$5.00 |
| From each attorney appearing Pro Hac Vice |
$100.00 |
| |