Florida

Florida Legal Resources

Free legal information, aid organizations, and court resources for residents of Florida. Know your rights and find help.

Legal Aid Organizations

Florida Legal Services

Statewide legal aid organization providing free civil legal help to low-income Floridians in housing, immigration, and public benefits.

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Three Rivers Legal Services

Serves low-income residents in north-central Florida with free legal assistance in housing, family, and consumer matters.

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Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County

Provides free civil legal services to low-income residents in Palm Beach County and surrounding areas.

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Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida

Provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents across 12 counties in central Florida, covering housing, family, and public benefits.

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Legal Aid Service of Broward County

Offers free legal help to low-income residents in Broward County in housing, family, consumer, and immigration matters.

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ACLU of Florida

Defends constitutional rights through litigation and advocacy on issues including criminal justice reform, immigrants' rights, and voting rights.

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Court System Overview

The Supreme Court of Florida is the court of last resort. Five District Courts of Appeal handle intermediate appeals. Circuit Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction, organized into 20 judicial circuits. County Courts handle misdemeanors, traffic infractions, small claims, and civil cases under $50,000.

The Supreme Court of Florida sits in Tallahassee with seven justices. The five District Courts of Appeal are headquartered in Tallahassee (1st), Lakeland (2nd), Miami (3rd), West Palm Beach (4th), and Daytona Beach (5th). The 20 Judicial Circuits contain Circuit Courts (general jurisdiction handling civil cases over $50,000, felonies, family law, and probate) and County Courts (handling misdemeanors, traffic, small claims up to $8,000, and civil cases under $50,000).

Key State Laws & Protections

Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

Governs rental relationships under Chapter 83, covering security deposits, maintenance obligations, and eviction procedures.

Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act

Consumer protection law under Chapter 501 prohibiting unfair business practices with private right of action.

Florida Civil Rights Act

Prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, and marital status.

Florida Homestead Exemption

Constitutional provision protecting homestead property from forced sale by creditors, with unlimited value protection for up to half an acre in municipalities.

Florida Domestic Violence Injunction Law

Allows victims to obtain protective injunctions including no-contact orders, exclusive possession of shared residence, and temporary custody of children under Florida Statute 741.30.

Florida Lemon Law

Provides consumers with remedies when new vehicles have substantial defects that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts under F.S. 681.

Florida Security of Communications Act

Two-party consent law requiring all parties to a conversation to consent before recording, with violations subject to criminal penalties.

Bar Association

The Florida Bar
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Legal Aid Hotline

Need Immediate Legal Help? Call the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-342-8011 for legal assistance.

Emergency Legal Resources

National Domestic Violence Hotline

24/7 confidential support for domestic violence victims

1-800-799-7233

Florida Abuse Hotline

Report child abuse, elder abuse, or vulnerable adult abuse

1-800-962-2873

Florida Consumer Protection Helpline

Florida Attorney General consumer complaint hotline

1-866-966-7226

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 for immediate mental health crisis support

988

Recent Legal Updates (2025–2026)

Live Local Act Expansion (2025)

Expanded workforce housing protections and tax incentives for affordable housing development, building on the landmark 2023 Live Local Act.

Insurance Reform Updates (2025)

New regulations aim to stabilize the homeowners insurance market following years of rate increases, with enhanced consumer protections for claims handling.

Digital Privacy Protections (2025)

New law requires businesses to provide clear opt-out mechanisms for the sale of personal data and strengthens data breach notification requirements.

Related Guides

Know Your Rights Find a Lawyer Legal Aid Resources Court Preparation

Filing Deadlines (Statute of Limitations)

Personal Injury

Statute of Limitations: 2 years

This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.

Contract Disputes

Statute of Limitations: 5 years

This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.

Property Damage

Statute of Limitations: 4 years

This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.

Medical Malpractice

Statute of Limitations: 2 years

This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.

Fraud

Statute of Limitations: 4 years

This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.

Court Filing Fees

Small Claims Court

Typical filing fee: $55-$300 (claims up to $8,000)

Small claims court is designed for individuals to resolve minor disputes quickly and affordably without an attorney.

Civil Court

Typical filing fee: $300-$400

Civil court handles larger disputes including personal injury, contract breaches, and property claims. Attorney representation is common.

Family Court

Typical filing fee: $300-$400

Family court handles divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence matters. Fee waivers are often available for low-income filers.

Free Legal Aid Organizations

Florida Legal Services

Statewide backup center supporting legal aid providers and handling impact litigation for low-income Floridians.

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Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association

Free civil legal services in Central Florida for housing, family, and immigration matters.

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Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida

Free legal services for low-income residents in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

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Jacksonville Area Legal Aid

Serves northeast Florida with free civil legal help in housing, family, consumer, and public benefits.

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State Bar Resources

The Florida Bar

Referral: Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 342-8011

Pro Bono: Florida Bar Foundation and local voluntary bar pro bono programs across all 20 judicial circuits.

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State Court Websites

Supreme Court of Florida

Florida's court of last resort with seven justices, located in Tallahassee. Reviews important constitutional and legal questions.

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Florida District Courts of Appeal

Five district courts handling intermediate appeals. Find your district court by location and access case information and opinions.

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Florida Circuit & County Courts

Trial courts organized into 20 judicial circuits. Access your local court's website for filing information, case search, and self-help resources.

Find Your Local Court →

Key Statute Citations

Fla. Stat. §83.40–83.682 (Chapter 83, Part II)

Residential Landlord & Tenant Act. Governs security deposits, landlord maintenance obligations, notice requirements, eviction procedures, and tenant remedies.

Fla. Stat. §501.201–501.213 (FDUTPA)

Florida Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices Act. Prohibits unfair methods of competition and deceptive business practices, with private right of action for actual damages and attorney fees.

Fla. Stat. §760.01–760.11 (Florida Civil Rights Act)

Employment & Housing Discrimination. Prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, and marital status.

Fla. Stat. §741.28–741.31

Domestic Violence Protections. Authorizes injunctions for protection against domestic violence including no-contact, exclusive use of residence, temporary custody, and child support.

Fla. Const. Art. X §4

Homestead Exemption. Constitutional protection shielding a homestead from forced sale by creditors, with unlimited value protection on up to half an acre in municipalities or 160 acres in unincorporated areas.

Additional Legal Aid Organizations

Florida Free Legal Answers

Online clinic where low-income Floridians can submit civil legal questions and receive free answers from volunteer attorneys.

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Bay Area Legal Services (Tampa)

Provides free civil legal assistance in the Tampa Bay area for housing, family, domestic violence, and consumer issues.

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Southern Legal Counsel

Non-profit public interest law firm in Gainesville providing free legal services in civil rights, education, housing, and disability rights.

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Attorney General — Consumer Protection

Florida Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division

The Florida AG's Consumer Protection Division investigates fraud, scams, price gouging, identity theft, and unfair business practices. The division also manages the Lemon Law program and no-call list enforcement.

Phone: 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226)

Online Complaints: File at myfloridalegal.com/consumer-protection

Visit AG Consumer Protection →

Civil Rights Agency

Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR)

The FCHR enforces the Florida Civil Rights Act, investigating complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It also administers the Whistle-blower's Act protecting public employees who report wrongdoing.

Phone: (850) 488-7082

Filing Deadline: 365 days from the discriminatory act

Visit FCHR Website →
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Frequently Asked Legal Questions in Florida

Florida has multiple legal aid organizations that provide free or low-cost legal help to income-eligible residents. You can also contact your local bar association for pro bono referrals, or visit our Legal Aid Finder to search by zip code.
In Florida, tenants generally have the right to a habitable dwelling, proper notice before eviction, the return of security deposits within a specified timeframe, and protection from housing discrimination. Specific rules vary — visit our Tenant Rights Checker for Florida-specific details.
Florida allows expungement or record sealing for many misdemeanor and some felony convictions, typically after a waiting period and no subsequent offenses. Eligibility depends on the charge type, sentence served, and time elapsed. Use our Expungement Eligibility Checker to see if you qualify.
Florida sets its own minimum wage, which may be higher than the federal minimum of $7.25/hr. Many cities within the state may have even higher local minimums. Use our Wage & Overtime Calculator to check the current Florida minimum wage and calculate your pay.
The statute of limitations in Florida sets the deadline to file a lawsuit after an injury or dispute. It varies by case type — personal injury, contracts, and criminal charges all have different limits. Use our Legal Deadline Calculator to find your specific deadline in Florida.