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Florida Small Claims Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Business Law, Consumer Law and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: Can I dispute a debit card purchase I never received?

I ordered a jewelry piece that was filed as misdelivery/nondelivery by my local post office. Claims were filed with the PO but then I was later told the seller did not insure their package so my PO cannot continue with a refund and I need to contact the seller. I do so and the seller refuses to... View More

Jane Kim
Jane Kim pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 27, 2021

Just call them!

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: My hair damaged and fell out from johnson and johnson
Michael  Mayoral
Michael Mayoral
answered on Nov 22, 2021

You may have a claim, the type of case would be called "product liability." You should consult with a product liability attorney in your area.

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: I missed my pretrial hearing that was for a debt collection. The judge defaulted me and award the plaintiff

This was 2 days ago 11/10. I forgot about the court date unfortunately. Do I have any options? This case is in Orlando Florida

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Nov 13, 2021

You could file a motion to set the default aside, claiming excusable error on your part. it would be up to the judge.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: The subfloors are rotting in my apartment in Florida, and repairs have no occurred after 30+ days. What can be done?

The floor began warping and became rotted approximately 2 months ago, at which point a maintenance request was summited digitally. The complex manager has dragged her feet about selecting a party to make the repairs, and the floor is getting worse by the day. We (my roommates and I) believe that... View More

Michael  Mayoral
Michael Mayoral
answered on Oct 29, 2021

In Florida, there is a legal principle known as the Implied Warranty of Habitability. Florida landlords are required to keep their rental properties in safe and livable condition. According to the state’s “implied warranty of habitability,” Florida tenants are guaranteed a livable rental... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Florida on
Q: My wife will probably be found guilty next week of a $4000. in a credit card judgement.

Fortunately she is judgement proof ( ss and retirement pension).

Is there anything that should be presented at the trial to highlight this fact?

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 19, 2021

A small claims case is civil, not criminal; so she won't be "found guilty". If she is found to be liable for the debt, a judgment will be entered against her.

The fact that she is judgment proof is irrelevant. However if she discloses her financial circumstances, the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: I was assaulted in the workplace, how can I sue the individual who assaulted me?

Already working on a PI case against the employer.

Michael  Mayoral
Michael Mayoral
answered on Oct 12, 2021

You would sue the person who assaulted you in the same lawsuit as the PI case against your employer. I suggest that you retain an attorney to handle both matters, or tell the attorney you already have on the employer case that you also want to sue the individual.

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1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Florida on
Q: I had a final judgement filed against me, how do I avoid liens in Florida as I live at home and don’t own property?

I called the plaintiff and worked out a payment plan for the balance. I just want to avoid liens as I don’t own any property or assets

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 5, 2021

If you don't own any real property, a judgment lien doesn't affect you. And, should you want to acquire property in the future, and when the payment plan is successfully concluded, you can get the plaintiff to release the lien.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: Can my landlord place a clause in my rental agreement that I can’t change my address info to my new residence?

Oral agreement, demanding cash only, not allowed to change mailing address or have proof of residence to new residence as it might affect her SSDI. refuses to give rent receipts, has changed the rental agreement and then broken it in a 10 day span and then served notice of termination of tenancy,... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Sep 4, 2021

No, because there's no such thing as inserting a clause in an oral agreement. Clauses are written, and your rent paid is paid.

She sounds like a loon. Just move and end the drama.

2 Answers | Asked in Small Claims for Florida on
Q: do I have to pay 20 year old debt

in 2001 i left my boat at the marina unable to pay rent yesterday i got letter to pay money

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Sep 3, 2021

No. The statute of limitations is much shorter than that.

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2 Answers | Asked in Small Claims, Criminal Law, Banking and Collections for Florida on
Q: A while back I had a friend he opened a credit card and added me as a authorized user I got my own card and he got his

We stopped talking haven’t had any contact for months and I’ve been taking care of the card making on time payments there is a balance due and he just froze the account and took me off the account as of today. If I don’t pay that amount that’s left owed now on the account could I be held... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Sep 3, 2021

As an authorized user, you are not responsible to the credit card company for the balance unless the cardholder agreement specifically makes you liable. Otherwise,

The balance is on him.

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1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Florida on
Q: I am being sued by a collection agency. I was served a summons but the claim attached is for someone else.

LVNV is the plaintiff in broward county small claims court. I looked online for the court documents filed were for me. I was going to file an answer after I was served. When I read it over the claim served to me was for someone else being sued by the same law firm. I dont know how I should... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Aug 31, 2021

Wait as long as possible and then file a ANSWER, using this fact as your first affirmative defense.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: Please read below, thank you in advance

I need a consultation regarding my landlord that I've been renting a room for about 2 months. I've been unable to stay this entire month because she filed false allegations against me that caused an injunction. I've read that filing false allegations are criminal and I intend to sue... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Aug 30, 2021

I am certain that there are many experienced lawyers who will litigate a small claims case against your obnoxious landlord; however, not for free. Why?

(1) Because the amount of money involved is way too small; and

(2) because they cannot collect their fees from the landlord;...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: How do I request a fact info sheet after I have been awarded a judgment?

The judgment did not have language pertaining to a FIS. This was against a business and the owner in small claims court.

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Aug 26, 2021

It depends on how the clerk of court handles it in your county. Call the clerk's office and ask; the clerk might have a form to fill out or you might need to file a motion asking the judge to order it.

2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: How do I request a fact info sheet after I've been awarded a judgment?

The fact info sheet was not sent to the defendant (business and owner) with the final judgment notification. The defendant is ignoring this judgment.

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Aug 26, 2021

If the judgment has language concerning the FIS, just do a motion requesting the court enter an order requiring the defendant respond to a FIS. Of course he is ignoring it - until you put pressure on him to voluntarily pay, he isn't going to do so.

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Health Care Law and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: I just swallowed a piece of plastic that was on my sandwich from Wendy’s, what can I do about that?

I showed the manager the plastic and she knew exactly where it came from.

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Aug 5, 2021

OK so I have had several cases like this. If you see blood in your stool or if you pass blood, don’t be alarmed, because this usually goes away after a while with a very sharp object like glass or sharp plastic is adjusted. If you do pass blood, make sure you take a picture of it so that you can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Products Liability and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: How do i find a lawyer in jax
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 4, 2021

Look in the yellow pages. Lawyers tend to be listed by areas of focus.

2 Answers | Asked in Small Claims for Florida on
Q: What happens if I sue a person for a job they didn’t do and I win the case but they don’t have the money to reimburse me

I paid a man to fix my car and he didn’t fix what needed to be fixed he didn’t want to give me my car back and once I report it stolen I have finally got it back from the police and saw that the damage was worse than before I want to take him to court if I win this case what will happen if he... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Aug 4, 2021

This is America. No one ever "goes to jail" just because they owe you money.

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: When requesting a motion to appear telephonically do I need to state the reasons why I would rather appear virtually?

The court is in Florida and I live in Georgia. Do I need to put in the motion a reason such as distance or can I just request to appear virtually and leave it at that?

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Aug 2, 2021

Yes, of course you should give your reasons. It is up to the judge, and if you don't give your reasons it is more likely that the motion will be denied.

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: Our daughter in law borrowed our car and totaled it. There was no collision coverage. The tow company is coming after us

To pay the bills for towing and storage. They have threatened a lien on our drivers license. Are we legally obligated to pay?

Linda Liang
Linda Liang
answered on Jul 30, 2021

A car owner is strictly vicariously liable if the driver's negligence causes your damages in a Florida crash. This law is called the dangerous instrumentality doctrine. You could also be held liable for negligent entrusting your vehicle, if your daughter is in no good condition to drive a car... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Car Accidents and Small Claims for Florida on
Q: I finally got a court date for a small claims case. Would I be able to request to appear virtually? I'm the plaintiff.

I live in Atlanta. The case is in Orlando.

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Jul 26, 2021

You can certainly request it, but to find out whether the judge would consider it, call the judge's judicial assistant and ask him/her. You might be required to file a motion to make that request and to set your motion for a telephonic hearing. Or you might be told, "no, you filed suit... View More

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