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County Court - Civil Division Small Claims Civil Courts Public Record Search Jean-Adel Williams, Manager
(561) 355-6781
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Claims less than $100.00 . . . $55.00 Claims of $100.00 or more, but not more than $500.00 . . . $80.00 Claims of more than $500.00, but not more than $2,500.00 . . . $155.00 Claims of $2,500.00 or more, but not more than $5,000.00 . . . $255.00 What You Need to Know About Small Claims up to $5,000 in Palm Beach County
In Small Claims Court you can represent yourself. You may contact the Clerk of Court Self Service Center for the appropriate form. Also, you need to pay filing fees when you initiate your claim. Fees are payable in cash, cashier's check, business check, money order or attorney's check, to:
Dorothy H. Wilken, Clerk
Small Claims Court
Forms to initiate a claim are available at any of the four Courthouse locations.
The fee for the Service of the Summons by the Sheriff of Palm Beach County, per Defendant is $20.00, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope for Plaintiff. Payment for service of the summons by the sheriff must be separate from the filing fee payment and must be paid by: Check, cashier's check or money order. If service is to be made outside Palm Beach County, you should contact the Sheriff of the respective County to inquire as to the amount of service fee and method of payment.
General Information
When considering whether or not you should file a lawsuit, you should ask yourself the following questions:
Have I tried all possible and/or reasonable means to reach a settlement?
Do I have, or am I able to obtain the necessary evidence to prove my claim?
Do I know the correct legal name and address of the defendant?SUING AN INDIVIDUAL
You need the exact name and address of the person, and, if married, the name and address of the spouse, if you feel the spouse is also responsible.
SUING A CORPORATION
You will need the exact name of the corporation as on file with the Division of Corporation in Tallahassee, together with the Name of the Registered Agent and the address where the Registered Agent may be served. The Secretary of State, Division of Corporation, Capitol Building, Tallahassee, FL 32304, will furnish the above information. Write or call 1-850-488-9000.
SUING A FICTITIOUS NAME OR PARTNERSHIP
You need the name and address of the person doing business as (d/b/a). If a partnership, you need the name and address of all partners. Many individual partnerships and corporations do business under a fictitious name. You cannot sue a fictitious name by itself. It is not an entity. It is your responsibility to determine whether individuals, partners or corporations are doing business under a fictitious name. This information may be obtained from Tallahassee, Division of Corporate Information, which will tell you who has registered to do business under that specific fictitious name.
DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO YOUR SUIT
If you have contracts, invoices, bills, receipts, letters, etc., pertaining to your suit, bring one copy for the court file and one copy for each defendant. Bring the original document to the hearing.
LOCATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION
The Clerk's office is open Monday-Friday (except legal holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may file your claim at any of the locations listed below:
Main Courthouse
205 N. Dixie Hwy., Suite 2.2200
P.O. 3406
West Palm Beach, FL 33402
Telephone (561) 355-2500
Fax Number: (561) 355-6211
North County Branch Office
3188 PGA Blvd., Room 101
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Telephone: (561) 624-6650
South County Branch Office
200 W. Atlantic Ave., Room 160
Delray Beach, FL 33444
Telephone: (561) 274-1588
West County Branch Office
38844 State Rd. #80
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Telephone: (561) 996-4843
After you file your case, you can expect to get a court date for your case to be heard in about four to six weeks, depending upon the calendar of the assigned Division.
For further assistance, call County Court Civil at any of the above locations.
County Civil Division Information:
Bookkeeping Copy Requests Small Claims Filing Fees Summons Preparation Landlord and Tenant Action Towing and Storage
Divisions within Court Services:
Circuit Civil Domestic Violence Circuit Criminal Family Division County Civil Evidence Juvenile County Criminal Probate/Mental Health P.B. County Locations Fees
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