Full Description

Filing a small claims case allows you to have the court determine your legal rights in cases of up to $5,000. However, a new court rule forbids judges to explain your legal rights, and without this knowledge you can lose your case. How to Win in Small Claims Court in Florida simplifies and thoroughly explains everything you need to know to successfully handle your own small claims case, whether you are the plaintiff or defendant.

Complete with court terminology, step-by-step instructions and the forms you need, this book makes filing or defending suits in small claims court inexpensive and hassle-free.

This book explains in simple language:

Whether you have a valid case
Rules of evidence
How to file your case
Using expert witnesses
Arguing your case
Following rules of evidence
Defending your case
Collecting your judgment
Settling your case
Garnishing wages
Countersuing

Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books -
Introduction -
Chapter 1:Small Claims Court, Generally-
-Types of Cases That Can Be Heard
-How Much You Can Sue For
-Procedure
-Needing an Attorney
-Where You Can Get Help
-What You Can Recover
-Terminology
Chapter 2: Before You Sue -9
-Deciding If You Have a Case
-Proving Your Case
-Deciding on Time and Effort
-Collecting If You Win
-Steps Before Filing Suit
Chapter 3: Filing Your Case -
-Those Who Can Sue
-Those Who Can Be Sued
-Where to File Your Suit
-Fees
-Amount to Sue For
-Other Remedies You Can Ask For
-The Beginning
-Attachments to the Claim
-Possible Defenses
-Jury Trial
-Serving the Papers
Chapter 4: Defending Yourself -
-Ignoring a Summons
-Your Defenses
-Settling the Case
Chapter 5: Countersuing -
-Compulsory Claims
-How to Countersue
-Exceeding the Limit
-Crossclaim and Third Party Claim
Chapter 6: Your Pretrial Conference and Trial -
-The Pretrial Conference
-Settling Before Trial
-Dismissing the Case
-Jury Trial
-Court Reporters
-Trial
-“The Rule”
-Preparation for Trial
-Presenting Your Case
-The Court’s Ruling
-The Judgment
-Hearing in Aid of Execution
-Stipulation to Stay Entry of Judgment
Chapter 7: Rules of Evidence -
-Hearsay Rule
-Witnesses
-Expert Witnesses
-Oral Evidence
-The Parol Evidence Rule
-Proof
Chapter 8: Collecting Your Judgment-
-Hearing in Aid of Execution
-Exempt Property
-Judgment Lien
-Depositions
-Levy
-Garnishment
-Bankruptcy
-Satisfaction of Judgment
Chapter 9: Rehearings and Appeals -
-Vacating a Default
-Appeal
-Rehearing or New Trial
-Deadlines
-Cross Appeal
Glossary -
Appendix A: Lawyer Referral Services -
Appendix B: Florida Small Claims Rules -
Appendix C: Checklists -
Appendix D: Forms -
Index

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