Florida lawyer costs and court fees
Short answer
Florida has small claims cases up to $8,000, a 2-year personal injury filing deadline. Lawyers in Florida bill an average of $353 an hour in Clio's 2025 data. Below are the verified court fees, deadlines, fee-cap rules and free-help options, each linked to its official source.
Florida legal costs at a glance
| Small claims limit | $8,000 (exclusive of costs, interest and attorney fees)[1][2] |
|---|---|
| Small claims filing fee | $50 for claims under $100; $75 for $100–$500; $170 for $500.01–$2,500; $295 for $2,500.01–$15,000 (Fla. Stat. §34.041(1)(a), 2026)[1][2] |
| Circuit Court civil filing fee | Up to $395 for up to 5 defendants, +$2.50 per additional defendant (Fla. Stat. §28.241(1)(a)1.a, 2026)[3] |
| Divorce filing fee | Up to $295 base for chapter 61 cases (Fla. Stat. §28.241(1)(a)1.b)[3] |
| Personal injury deadline | 2 years for negligence (Fla. Stat. §95.11(5)(a)); medical malpractice is 2 years with a 4-year repose (§95.11(5)(c))[4] |
| Attorney fee caps | R. Regulating Fla. Bar 4-1.5(f)(4)(B)(i): fees above these levels are presumed excessive. Before answer: 33⅓% up to $1M, 30% for $1–2M, 20% above $2M. After answer: 40%, 30%, 20%. Liability admitted: 33⅓%, 20%, 15%. Plus 5% if an appeal or postjudgment relief is needed.[5] |
| Average lawyer rate | $353/hour (Clio, 2025 data for Florida)[6] |
What lawyers charge in Florida
Clio's Legal Trends data puts the average billed rate in Florida at $353 per hour, against $349 nationally[6]. That is an average across law firms that use Clio's software, not a quote: rates depend on the practice area, the lawyer's experience and the city.
Illustrative budget at $353/hour (not a quote): a 1-hour consultation ≈ $353; a 5-hour document review ≈ $1,765; a 20-hour contested matter ≈ $7,060, before court fees and expenses. Many lawyers quote flat fees for routine work instead; see hourly vs flat fees.
Small claims court in Florida
Small claims cases are heard in the County Court (Small Claims). You can ask for up to $8,000 (exclusive of costs, interest and attorney fees)[1][2]. Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b).
- Filing fee: $50 for claims under $100; $75 for $100–$500; $170 for $500.01–$2,500; $295 for $2,500.01–$15,000 (Fla. Stat. §34.041(1)(a), 2026)
- Serving the other side: A sheriff service fee applies separately.
See how Florida compares with other states in our 50-state small claims table.
Court filing fees
Circuit Court: Up to $395 for up to 5 defendants, +$2.50 per additional defendant (Fla. Stat. §28.241(1)(a)1.a, 2026)[3]
Divorce: Up to $295 base for chapter 61 cases (Fla. Stat. §28.241(1)(a)1.b)[3] This is the statutory base; clerks' actual totals may be higher because of other statutory charges.
If you cannot afford a filing fee, every state lets you ask the court to waive it; the form is usually called a fee waiver or an application to proceed without paying fees. Our divorce cost guide compares filing fees across states.
Deadlines and attorney fee rules
Personal injury filing deadline: 2 years for negligence (Fla. Stat. §95.11(5)(a)); medical malpractice is 2 years with a 4-year repose (§95.11(5)(c))[4]. Exceptions exist (for example for minors, government defendants and medical claims), so check with a lawyer before the deadline gets close.
Contingency and fee caps: R. Regulating Fla. Bar 4-1.5(f)(4)(B)(i): fees above these levels are presumed excessive. Before answer: 33⅓% up to $1M, 30% for $1–2M, 20% above $2M. After answer: 40%, 30%, 20%. Liability admitted: 33⅓%, 20%, 15%. Plus 5% if an appeal or postjudgment relief is needed.[5]
If you disagree with a lawyer's bill: the The Florida Bar Grievance Mediation and Fee Arbitration Program handles fee disputes between clients and lawyers.
Free and low-cost legal help in Florida
- Legal aid: FloridaLawHelp.org. Programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation generally serve households at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines; in 2026 that is $19,950 a year for one person and $41,250 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states[7].
- Lawyer referral: The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service — 30-minute consult max $25.
- Before you hire: read what consultations cost and options if you can't afford a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the small claims limit in Florida?
$8,000 (exclusive of costs, interest and attorney fees), in the County Court (Small Claims). Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b).
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Florida?
$50 for claims under $100; $75 for $100–$500; $170 for $500.01–$2,500; $295 for $2,500.01–$15,000 (Fla. Stat. §34.041(1)(a), 2026) Service of the papers usually costs extra.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida?
Generally 2 years for negligence (Fla. Stat. §95.11(5)(a)); medical malpractice is 2 years with a 4-year repose (§95.11(5)(c)). Exceptions apply, so talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.
How much is the divorce filing fee in Florida?
Up to $295 base for chapter 61 cases (Fla. Stat. §28.241(1)(a)1.b). This is the statutory base; clerks' actual totals may be higher because of other statutory charges. You can ask the court to waive fees if you cannot afford them.
What can I do if I think my Florida lawyer overcharged me?
Ask the lawyer for an itemized bill first. If that does not resolve it, the The Florida Bar Grievance Mediation and Fee Arbitration Program handles fee disputes between clients and lawyers.
Sources
- Florida Small Claims Rules (July 1, 2026) (checked October 11, 2026)
- Fla. Stat. §34.041 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Fla. Stat. §28.241 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Fla. Stat. §95.11 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Clio, Compare Lawyer Rates (2025 Legal Trends data) (checked October 11, 2026)
- Federal Register: LSC income guidelines (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)