Is the cost of a small claims lawyer is justified when it comes to small claims cases in Florida?
What Is a Small Claims Case?
To better understand the benefits of hiring a small claims attorney as opposed to going it alone, let’s first examine what it means.
Definition
A small claims case typically takes place in a local county court. One party may decide to take legal action against another party as a result petty disputes with projected settlements of $5,000 or less.
This dollar amount does not include attorney fees or court costs. The party being sued could also be a company or even a neighbor or friend.
These small claims may include incidences such as dog bites and personal injury cases, including slips and falls for example.
How the Process Works
The small claims process is very straightforward, but it can also be very time-consuming.
If you have work, school, or other obligations, you may need to reserve some spare time to filling out forms, gathering evidence, and attending pre-trials and trials.
A seasoned small claims lawyer in Jacksonville, such as Campione Law, is able to take away the hassle and stress out this process.
When you hire one of our small claims lawyers in Jacksonville, we will also fight diligently to get a favorable outcome for your case.
How to File a Small Claim in Florida
If you do happen to DIY, here are the steps:
- File a Statement of Claim – This should be done at your local county clerk’s office.
- Pay the Fee – Refer to the Florida Small Claims Rules for more details. In most cases, you will need to pay extra fees to sue and serve the defendant. The guidebook further reviews time limitations, defendants’ rights, mediation options, and more.
- Go With the Flow – Filing a claim and paying the fee is only half the battle. The rest entails fighting counterclaims or set-offs if the defendant disagrees with your allegations, which is very likely. Moreover, mediations may be advised during pre-trials.
If you do happen to win a small claims case, it isn’t over at the sentencing. If a judge, for example, orders a defendant to pay up a settlement, you will need to hire an attorney to assist with collections.
Again, working with a small claims lawyer in Jacksonville from the get-go removes the multitude of hurdles plaintiffs habitually face.
windfall, but it provides justice to victims of minor legal battles.
An unexpected dog bite, for instance, could leave you with hundreds in medical costs to pay for on your own. With a small claims lawyer by your side, you could potentially get compensation to cover this unforeseen debt.
Get out of debt and get the justice and compensation you deserve. Campione Law is ready to negotiate on your behalf. To schedule an appointment with us, call (904) 990 8400.