Florida Circuit Court Civil Complaint Filing Checklist

Florida Circuit Court Civil Complaint Filing Checklist

Court: Circuit Court, [________________________________] Judicial Circuit

County: [________________________________], Florida

Case Number: [________________________________] (assigned after filing)

Case Style: [________________________________] v. [________________________________]

Filing Attorney: [________________________________]

Florida Bar Number: [________________________________]

Date Prepared: [__/__/____]

I. Pre-Filing Considerations

Case Management Track (Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.200 - Effective 1/1/2025)

☐ Determine appropriate track:
☐ Streamlined: Simple cases
☐ General: Most civil cases
☐ Complex: Complex litigation
☐ Case management requirements apply

Jurisdiction

☐ Circuit court jurisdiction (over $50,000)
☐ Type of case appropriate for circuit court

Venue (Fla. Stat. § 47)

☐ Venue is proper in this county
☐ Basis for venue:
☐ Defendant's residence
☐ Where cause of action accrued
☐ Where property located
☐ Where contract performed
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Statute of Limitations

☐ All claims within applicable limitations period
☐ Personal injury: 4 years (2 years for claims after 3/24/2023)
☐ Contract: 5 years written, 4 years oral
☐ Other: [________________________________]

II. Required Documents for Filing

Complaint

☐ Caption with:
☐ Court name
☐ County
☐ Case number space
☐ Parties (Plaintiff/Defendant)
☐ Numbered paragraphs
☐ Count format for multiple claims
☐ Demand clause (amount in controversy)
☐ Prayer for relief
☐ Attorney signature block

Summons

☐ Summons for each defendant
☐ Standard form
☐ 20-day response requirement stated

Civil Cover Sheet

☐ Florida Civil Cover Sheet completed
☐ All sections completed
☐ Case type marked
☐ Jury demand indicated (if applicable)

III. Initial Disclosures (Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.2801 - Effective 1/1/2025)

New Mandatory Initial Disclosures

☐ Due within 60 days of service of complaint
☐ Disclosure requirements:
☐ Names and contact of persons with discoverable information
☐ Copies or descriptions of documents
☐ Computation of damages claimed
☐ Insurance policies applicable

IV. Service of Process (Fla. Stat. Chapter 48)

Service Deadline

☐ 120 days to serve complaint (Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.070(j))
☐ Extension up to 180 days possible for good cause
☐ Service deadline: [__/__/____]

Service Methods

☐ Personal service: Delivery to defendant
☐ Substitute service: Leave with person 15+ at residence
☐ Service by publication: Court order required
☐ Service on Secretary of State: For certain entities

Who May Serve

☐ Sheriff
☐ Certified process server
☐ Special process server (court appointed)

Proof of Service

☐ Return of service filed
☐ Affidavit of service

V. Filing Fee

Circuit Court Filing Fee

☐ Filing fee: Approximately $400-450 (varies by county)
☐ Check current fee schedule
☐ Fee paid
☐ OR Application for Indigent Status filed

VI. E-Filing Requirements

Mandatory E-Filing

☐ Florida requires e-filing through Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
☐ Portal: www.myflcourtaccess.com
☐ Account active and current

Document Format

☐ PDF format
☐ Text-searchable
☐ Proper file naming
☐ Size limits observed

VII. Response Time

Defendant's Response

☐ 20 days from service to respond
☐ Response options:
☐ Answer
☐ Motion to dismiss
☐ Motion for more definite statement

VIII. Case Management (Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.200 - Effective 1/1/2025)

Track Assignment

☐ Case assigned to track within 120 days of filing
☐ Case Management Order issued
☐ Strict deadlines must be followed

Case Management Order

☐ Service deadline
☐ Discovery deadline
☐ Motion deadline
☐ Alternative dispute resolution deadline
☐ Trial date

Conferral Requirements (Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.202 - New 2025)

☐ Confer before filing non-dispositive motions
☐ Certificate of conferral required

IX. Alternative Dispute Resolution

Mandatory Mediation

☐ Most civil cases require mediation before trial
☐ Mediation deadline noted
☐ Mediator selected or court-appointed

X. Post-Filing Procedures

Immediate Actions

☐ Case number assigned
☐ Judge assigned
☐ Summons issued

Service

☐ Serve complaint on all defendants
☐ File proof of service
☐ Calendar response deadline

XI. Special Case Requirements

Medical Malpractice

☐ Pre-suit notice required (Fla. Stat. § 766.106)
☐ 90-day notice period
☐ Affidavit of merit with complaint

Products Liability

☐ Specific pleading requirements
☐ Product identification

Negligence (Modified Comparative Fault - 2023)

☐ For claims after 3/24/2023
☐ Plaintiff more than 50% at fault = no recovery

XII. Quality Control Checklist

Before Filing

☐ All parties correctly named
☐ All claims properly stated
☐ Demand clause included
☐ Jury demand (if desired)
☐ Filing fee ready
☐ Copies prepared

After Filing

☐ Case number confirmed
☐ Service initiated
☐ Response deadline calendared
☐ Initial disclosure deadline noted (60 days)

XIII. Document Tracking Log

XIV. Key Deadlines

Sources and References

• Florida Courts E-Filing: https://www.myflcourtaccess.com
• Florida Rules of Civil Procedure: https://www.floridabar.org/rules/
• Florida Statutes: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes
• 2025 Civil Procedure Rule Changes

Prepared by: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Supervising Attorney (if applicable): [________________________________]