If you wish to file a claim which does not exceed $5,000, please fill out a Statement of Claim form and come to one of the three office locations listed below.  Please also bring with you sufficient copies of any documentation (contracts, paid statements, estimates, etc.) to substantiate your claim.  You will need one for the court file, and each defendant (if you have two defendants, you will need 3 copies total of your documentation).  If the Clerk's office makes copies for you, you will be charged per page for the copies.  You will receive your receipt and date of the pretrial conference in the mail.

You will need Acrobat Reader to view and print the Statement of Claim Form.

For claims exceeding $5,000, but less than $15,000, we suggest that you retain an attorney.

You may contact the Clerk's Office, at the locations below, for filing fees.

Charlotte County Justice Center
350 E. Marion Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Murdock
18500 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL  33948

How to collect on a Judgment:

Pursuant to the rules of Civil Procedure the Clerk is not authorized to aide in the collection of a judgment.

When a judgment for money is issued by the court, you receive a copy of the judgment stating the amount of money the Defendant (Judgment Debtor) must pay you.

If the judgment debtor does not pay you, you should first obtain a judgment lien by recording a Judgment Lien Certificate with the Department of State.

Judgment Lien Statue is 55.201-55.209

To receive the proper forms you may visit the Department's website at www.sunbiz.org or contact them directly at 850-245-6039.