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After a party seeking affirmative relief in an action has completed the presentation of evidence, any other party may move for a dismissal on the ground that upon the facts and the law the party seeking affirmative relief has shown no right to relief without waiving the right to offer evidence in the event the motion ...

A small claims case is a legal action filed in county court to settle minor legal disputes where the dollar amount involved is $8,000 or less. This amount does not include filing costs, interest, and attorneys' fees.

(1) Unless a different time is prescribed in a statute of Florida, a defendant must serve an answer within 20 days after service of original process and the initial pleading on the defendant, or not later than the date fixed in a notice by publication.

If a defendant does not answer or otherwise respond to the complaint, the plaintiff may file a motion for the entry of default by the clerk.

NOTICE TO APPEAR If the defendant fails to appear at the preliminary hearing, the court will enter a default against him/her after it is shown to the judge that the suit was filed in the proper county and the defendant was legally notified.

I understand that under Florida Small Claims Rule 7.090(c), a written response is not required unless ordered by the Court and that I must serve this written response on all other parties to the action at or prior to the pretrial conference.

After filing, each person or business being sued must be served with a summons/notice to appear in court on a date and time scheduled when the initial claim was filed. A copy of the Statement of Claim should be attached as provided in the Florida Small Claims Rules.

When an individual fails to appear in court as ordered, the presiding judge may issue a bench warrant for their arrest. A bench warrant authorizes law enforcement officers to apprehend the individual and bring them before the court to address the failure to appear.

Is there a statute of limitations? How long you have to file a claim in court, notably Small Claims Court, varies depending on the topic and circumstances of the respective litigation. Chapter 95.11, Florida Statutes, explains that a person has between one and five years.