Florida Statute 28.241 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title V
JUDICIAL BRANCH

Chapter 28
CLERKS OF THE CIRCUIT COURTS

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F.S. 28.241

28.241 Filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings.—

(1) Filing fees are due at the time a party files a pleading to initiate a proceeding or files a pleading for relief. Reopen fees are due at the time a party files a pleading to reopen a proceeding if at least 90 days have elapsed since the filing of a final order or final judgment with the clerk. If a fee is not paid upon the filing of the pleading as required under this section, the clerk shall pursue collection of the fee pursuant to s. 28.246.

(a)1.a. Except as provided in sub-subparagraph b. and subparagraph 2., the party instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in the circuit court shall pay to the clerk of that court a filing fee of up to $395 in all cases in which there are not more than five defendants and an additional filing fee of up to $2.50, from which the clerk shall remit $0.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, for each defendant in excess of five. Of the first $200 in filing fees, $195 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund, $4 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services and used to fund the contract with the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35, and $1 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services to fund audits of individual clerks’ court-related expenditures conducted by the Department of Financial Services.

b. The party instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in the circuit court under chapter 39, chapter 61, chapter 741, chapter 742, chapter 747, chapter 752, or chapter 753 shall pay to the clerk of that court a filing fee of up to $295 in all cases in which there are not more than five defendants and an additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant in excess of five. Of the first $100 in filing fees, $95 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund, $4 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services and used to fund the contract with the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35, and $1 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services to fund audits of individual clerks’ court-related expenditures conducted by the Department of Financial Services.

c. An additional filing fee of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The clerk shall remit $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services to fund clerk education provided by the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation. An additional filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid by the party seeking each severance that is granted, from which the clerk shall remit $3 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund. The clerk may impose an additional filing fee of up to $85, from which the clerk shall remit $10 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, for all proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin, and distress. Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in making service by certified or registered mail on defendants or other parties shall be paid by the party at whose instance service is made. Additional fees, charges, or costs may not be added to the filing fees imposed under this section, except as authorized in this section or by general law.

2.a. Notwithstanding the fees prescribed in subparagraph 1., a party instituting a civil action in circuit court relating to real property or mortgage foreclosure shall pay a graduated filing fee based on the value of the claim.

b. A party shall estimate in writing the amount in controversy of the claim upon filing the action. For purposes of this subparagraph, the value of a mortgage foreclosure action is based upon the principal due on the note secured by the mortgage, plus interest owed on the note and any moneys advanced by the lender for property taxes, insurance, and other advances secured by the mortgage, at the time of filing the foreclosure. The value shall also include the value of any tax certificates related to the property. In stating the value of a mortgage foreclosure claim, a party shall declare in writing the total value of the claim, as well as the individual elements of the value as prescribed in this sub-subparagraph.

c. In its order providing for the final disposition of the matter, the court shall identify the actual value of the claim. The clerk shall adjust the filing fee if there is a difference between the estimated amount in controversy and the actual value of the claim and collect any additional filing fee owed or provide a refund of excess filing fee paid.

d. The party shall pay a filing fee of:

(I) Three hundred and ninety-five dollars in all cases in which the value of the claim is $50,000 or less and in which there are not more than five defendants. The party shall pay an additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant in excess of five. Of the first $200 in filing fees, $195 must be remitted by the clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, $4 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services and used to fund the contract with the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35, and $1 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services to fund audits of individual clerks’ court-related expenditures conducted by the Department of Financial Services;

(II) Nine hundred dollars in all cases in which the value of the claim is more than $50,000 but less than $250,000 and in which there are not more than five defendants. The party shall pay an additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant in excess of five. Of the first $355 in filing fees, $350 must be remitted by the clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, $4 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services and used to fund the contract with the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35, and $1 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services to fund audits of individual clerks’ court-related expenditures conducted by the Department of Financial Services; or

(III) One thousand nine hundred dollars in all cases in which the value of the claim is $250,000 or more and in which there are not more than five defendants. The party shall pay an additional filing fee of up to $2.50 for each defendant in excess of five. Of the first $1,705 in filing fees, $930 must be remitted by the clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, $770 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund, $4 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services to fund the contract with the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35, and $1 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services to fund audits of individual clerks’ court-related expenditures conducted by the Department of Financial Services.

e. An additional filing fee of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The clerk shall remit $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Administrative Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services to fund clerk education provided by the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation. An additional filing fee of up to $18 shall be paid by the party seeking each severance that is granted. The clerk may impose an additional filing fee of up to $85 for all proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin, and distress. Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in making service by certified or registered mail on defendants or other parties shall be paid by the party at whose instance service is made. Additional fees, charges, or costs may not be added to the filing fees imposed under this section, except as authorized in this section or by general law.

(b) A party reopening any civil action, suit, or proceeding in the circuit court shall pay to the clerk of court a filing fee set by the clerk in an amount not to exceed $50. For purposes of this section, a case is reopened after all appeals have been exhausted or time to file an appeal from a final order or final judgment has expired. A reopen fee may be assessed by the clerk for any motion filed by any party at least 90 days after a final order or final judgment has been filed with the clerk in the initial case. A reservation of jurisdiction by a court does not cause a case to remain open for purposes of this section or exempt a party from paying a reopen fee. A party is exempt from paying the fee for any of the following:

1. A writ of garnishment;

2. A writ of replevin;

3. A distress writ;

4. A writ of attachment;

5. A motion for rehearing filed within 10 days;

6. A motion for attorney’s fees filed within 30 days after entry of a judgment or final order;

7. A motion for dismissal filed after a mediation agreement has been filed;

8. A disposition of personal property without administration;

9. Any probate case prior to the discharge of a personal representative;

10. Any guardianship pleading prior to discharge;

11. Any mental health pleading;

12. Motions to withdraw by attorneys;

13. Motions exclusively for the enforcement of child support orders;

14. A petition for credit of child support;

15. A Notice of Intent to Relocate and any order issuing as a result of an uncontested relocation;

16. Stipulations and motions to enforce stipulations;

17. Responsive pleadings;

18. Cases in which there is no initial filing fee; or

19. Motions for contempt.

(c)1. A party in addition to a party described in sub-subparagraph (a)1.a. who files a pleading in an original civil action in circuit court for affirmative relief by cross-claim, counterclaim, counterpetition, or third-party complaint shall pay the clerk of court a fee of $395. A party in addition to a party described in sub-subparagraph (a)1.b. who files a pleading in an original civil action in circuit court for affirmative relief by cross-claim, counterclaim, counterpetition, or third-party complaint shall pay the clerk of court a fee of $295. The clerk shall deposit the fee into the fine and forfeiture fund established pursuant to s. 142.01.

2. A party in addition to a party described in subparagraph (a)2. who files a pleading in an original civil action in circuit court for affirmative relief by cross-claim, counterclaim, counterpetition, or third-party complaint shall pay the clerk of court a graduated fee of:

a. Three hundred and ninety-five dollars in all cases in which the value of the pleading is $50,000 or less;

b. Nine hundred dollars in all cases in which the value of the pleading is more than $50,000 but less than $250,000; or

c. One thousand nine hundred dollars in all cases in which the value of the pleading is $250,000 or more.

The clerk shall deposit the fees collected under this subparagraph into the fine and forfeiture fund established pursuant to s. 142.01.

(d) The clerk of court shall collect a service charge of $10 for issuing an original, a certified copy, or an electronic certified copy of a summons, which the clerk shall deposit into the fine and forfeiture fund established pursuant to s. 142.01. The clerk shall assess the fee against the party seeking to have the summons issued.

(2) Upon the institution of any appellate proceeding from any lower court to the circuit court of any such county, including appeals filed by a county or municipality as provided in s. 34.041(5), or from the county or circuit court to an appellate court of the state, the clerk shall charge and collect from the party or parties instituting such appellate proceedings a filing fee, as follows:

(a) For filing a notice of appeal from the county court to the circuit court, a filing fee not to exceed $280.

(b) For filing a notice of appeal from the county or circuit court to the district court of appeal or to the Supreme Court, in addition to the filing fee required under s. 25.241 or s. 35.22, a filing fee not to exceed $100, of which the clerk shall remit $20 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund. If the party is determined to be indigent, the clerk shall defer payment of the fee otherwise required by this subsection.

(3) A filing fee may not be imposed upon a party for responding by pleading, motion, or other paper to a civil or criminal action, suit, proceeding, or appeal in a circuit court.

(4) The fees prescribed in this section do not include the service charges required by law for the clerk as provided in s. 28.24 or by other sections of the Florida Statutes. Filing fees authorized by this section may not be added to any civil penalty imposed by chapter 316 or chapter 318.

(5) Filing fees for the institution or reopening of any civil action, suit, or proceeding in county court shall be charged and collected as provided in s. 34.041.

(6) From each attorney appearing pro hac vice, the clerk of the circuit court shall collect a fee of $100. The clerk must remit the fee to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.

(7) Nothing in this section authorizes the assessment of a filing fee if the assessment is otherwise prohibited by law.

History.—ss. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, ch. 26931, 1951; ss. 3, 4, 5, ch. 29749, 1955; ss. 1, 2, ch. 57-322; s. 1, ch. 63-47; s. 1, ch. 63-43; s. 6, ch. 70-134; s. 1, ch. 74-154; s. 4, ch. 75-124; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 3, ch. 77-284; s. 2, ch. 82-168; s. 2, ch. 82-205; s. 10, ch. 83-217; s. 122, ch. 86-220; s. 4, ch. 87-145; s. 1, ch. 87-231; s. 2, ch. 88-176; s. 6, ch. 89-290; s. 1, ch. 90-181; s. 69, ch. 90-271; s. 3, ch. 91-152; s. 162, ch. 95-147; s. 3, ch. 96-209; s. 1, ch. 96-350; s. 14, ch. 96-354; s. 1, ch. 97-155; s. 12, ch. 99-277; s. 6, ch. 2001-122; s. 2, ch. 2002-55; ss. 31, 32, ch. 2003-402; s. 19, ch. 2004-265; s. 3, ch. 2006-245; s. 8, ch. 2008-111; ss. 5, 20, ch. 2009-61; s. 1, ch. 2009-204; s. 11, ch. 2010-162; s. 1, ch. 2011-133; s. 4, ch. 2012-100; s. 1, ch. 2012-138; s. 3, ch. 2013-44; s. 2, ch. 2017-126; ss. 3, 4, ch. 2018-118; s. 1, ch. 2019-42; s. 8, ch. 2019-58; s. 3, ch. 2021-116; s. 3, ch. 2023-284.

F.S. 28.241 on Google Scholar

F.S. 28.241 on Casetext

Amendments to 28.241

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 28.241

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 28.241.

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 28.241

Total Results: 20

In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Small Claims Rules, and Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure – Jurisdiction

Court: Fla. | Date Filed: 2020-08-13T00:53:00-07:00

Snippet: form determines the filing fee pursuant to section 28.241, Florida Statutes.) (R) Commercial foreclosure—all

In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Small Claims Rules, and Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure – Jurisdiction

Court: Fla. | Date Filed: 2019-11-14T00:00:00-08:00

Snippet: form determines the filing fee pursuant to section 28.241, Florida Statutes.) (R) Commercial …the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (S) Homestead …the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (T) Nonhomestead…the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). …the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (V) Professional

Florida Department of Revenue and Florida Department etc. v. Brenda Forman, in her official capacity as the Clerk etc.

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2019-05-16T00:53:00-07:00

Snippet: (1), 28.241(1)(a)1.a., 28.241(1)(a)1.b., 28.241(1)(a)2., 28.241(1)(c)1., 28.241(1)(c)2.,

In Re AMENDMENTS TO the FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

Court: Fla. | Date Filed: 2016-09-01T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 199 So. 3d 867, 41 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 357, 2016 Fla. LEXIS 1962, 2016 WL 4586101

Snippet: the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (S) Homestead residential…the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (T) Nonhomestead residential…the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28,241, Florida Statutes). .(U) Other real property…the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (V) Professional malpractice

Wells Fargo Bank, National Ass'n v. Sawh

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2016-06-01T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 194 So. 3d 475, 2016 WL 3065812, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 8292

Snippet: fee paid. § 28.241(l)(a).2.c., Fla. Stat. (2013). Here, the section 28.241(l)(a)2.b. estimate… § 28.241(l)(a)2.d.(III), Fla. Stat. (2013). In short, Wells Fargo’s section 28.241 “estimate… by this Court. In accordance with section 28.241 of the Florida Statutes governing, filing fees,… of the amount in controversy. See § 28.241(l)(a)2.a., Fla. Stat. (2013) (requiring parties…the $250,000 minimum threshold stated in section 28.241 for payment of the maximum filing fee allowed.

Jachimski v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2015-03-20T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 162 So. 3d 302, 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 4020, 2015 WL 1259615

Snippet: 34.041(5), 28.241(2), and 28.246(4), Florida Statutes (2013). Sections 34.041(5) and 28.241(2) contain

Ledger v. City of St. Petersburg

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2014-03-26T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 135 So. 3d 496, 2014 WL 1227172

Snippet: court to the circuit court, sections 34.041(5), 28.241(2), and 28.246(4), Florida Statutes (2012), require…plan established under this section.”). Section 28.241(2) provides that in circuit court appellate proceedings…charge and collect filing fees as provided in s. 28.241(2) from the party or parties instituting the appellate

In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure

Court: Fla. | Date Filed: 2013-11-14T00:00:00-08:00

Citation: 131 So. 3d 643, 38 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 836, 2013 WL 6164572, 2013 Fla. LEXIS 2476

Snippet: the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (S) Homestead residential foreclosure…the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (T) Nonhomestead residential…the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (U) Other real property actions…the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (V) Professional malpractice

Crist v. Ervin

Court: Fla. | Date Filed: 2010-11-04T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 56 So. 3d 745, 2010 WL 4340822

Snippet: general revenue fund. See §§ 28.241(l)(a)l.a.; 28.241(l)(a)2.d.; 28.241(2), Fla. Stat. (2009) ($80 of…that provisions of sections 28.24(1)(a), 28.241(a)(2)(d), 28.241(2), 34.041(1)(b), and 28.2455, Florida

ZARRA v. Burke

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2010-02-24T00:00:00-08:00

Citation: 28 So. 3d 191, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 2073, 2010 WL 624174

Snippet: raised is the proper interpretation of sections 28.241(l)(b) and 34.041(2), Florida Statutes (2008), which…not intended to apply in the context of section 28.241(l)(b) to establish fees payable to the clerk of…definition of the term “disposed of’ under sections 28.241(l)(b) and 34.041(2). In its order granting the

In Re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure-Management of Cases Involving Complex Litigation

Court: Fla. | Date Filed: 2009-10-15T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 30 So. 3d 477, 34 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 576, 2009 Fla. LEXIS 1795, 2009 WL 3296237

Snippet: the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (S) Homestead Rresidential …the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (T) Nonhomestead residential…the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (U) Other real property actions…the amount in controversy of the claim (section 28.241, Florida Statutes). (V) Professional malpractice

Ago

Court: Fla. Att'y Gen. | Date Filed: 2009-06-19T00:53:00-07:00

Snippet: : In light of the recent amendment to section 28.241(1)(a)1.b., Florida Statutes, by section 5, Chapter…Chapter 2009-61, Laws of Florida, amended section 28.241, Florida Statutes, to provide: "1.a. Except… ." (e.s.) Due to the amendment to section 28.241(1)(a), Florida Statutes, the question has been …the opinion that the recent amendment to section 28.241(1)(a)1.b., Florida Statutes, by section 5, Chapter…of Fla., stating that the bill "amending s. 28.241, F.S.; increasing the maximum filing fee for certain

McMillan v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2009-05-01T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 8 So. 3d 1237, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 3966, 2009 WL 1162857

Snippet: Satisfaction of Lien/Document" pursuant to section 28.241. McMillan claims that section 28.24(8) only authorizes…preparation of the satisfaction of lien and that section 28.241 does not authorize the imposition of a $16 charge

Ago

Court: Fla. Att'y Gen. | Date Filed: 2008-11-19T23:53:00-08:00

Snippet: imposed pursuant to section 28.241(1)(a), Florida Statutes.6 Section 28.241(1)(b), Florida Statutes, specifically…substantially the following question: Does section 28.241(1)(c), Florida Statutes, authorize the clerk to…$295.00 filing fee for counterpetitions? Section 28.241, Florida Statutes, which provides filing fees for…fees for civil actions in circuit court.2 Section 28.241(1)(a), Florida Statutes, as amended by section …quot; You have specifically asked whether section 28.241(1)(c), Florida Statutes, which was created by Chapter

Ago

Court: Fla. Att'y Gen. | Date Filed: 2008-09-24T00:53:00-07:00

Snippet: service charges by ordinance under s. 28.2401, s. 28.241, or s. 34.041 for the purpose of securing payment

Burke v. Esposito

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2008-01-10T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 972 So. 2d 1024

Snippet: issue concerns the proper interpretation of section 28.241(1)(b), Florida Statutes (2005), which permits a…"disposed of" for purposes of section 28.241(1)(b).[1] This interpretation may inure to a clerk… to $50 each time it reopens such a file. See § 28.241(1)(b). I doubt that the legislature intended the… Manual to be binding in the context of section 28.241(1)(b) or that the Florida Supreme Court intended…closed or considered "disposed of under section 28.241(1)(b), at least as it relates to the purchaser,

Prater v. McDonough

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2006-12-21T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 947 So. 2d 538

Snippet: payment of the filing fee incurred under section 28.241, Florida Statutes. None of the cases produced a

Coral Imaging Services v. Geico Indem. Ins.

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2006-10-04T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 955 So. 2d 11

Snippet: (f); § 20.23(2)(a)3; § 27.34(2); § 27.711(3); § 28.241(3),(4); § 29.004(10)(d); § 39.012; § 39.013(2);

City of Pompano Beach v. Forman

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2006-02-01T00:00:00-08:00

Citation: 919 So. 2d 692, 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 1157, 2006 WL 229902

Snippet: quot;[i]n lieu of payment of a filing fee under s. 28.241, a filing fee of $10 shall be paid by a county

Cason v. Crosby

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2005-01-06T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 892 So. 2d 536

Snippet: section 57.081. *538 Appellee argues that section 28.241 requires the circuit court clerk to collect an …. This argument is contrary to statute. Section 28.241(2) provides that the clerk shall defer payment