Personal property · Florida
the short answer
You have four years from the taking, which is longer than most states give you. Florida also has a civil theft statute worth three times your damages with your attorney's fees, but it comes with two catches: you have to send a written demand before you file, and you have to prove the theft by clear and convincing evidence, which is a harder standard than the rest of your case.
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
governing statute
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penalty
Threefold your actual damages with a $200 minimum, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. Two conditions: you must make a written demand on the person before filing, and you must prove the theft by clear and convincing evidence. Punitive damages are not available on top. (Fla. Stat. § 772.11)
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limit
4 years
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Across the country. 2 of the 10 states written up answer this the same way as Florida. The shortest is 2 years, as in Arizona; the longest is 4 years, as in Ohio. Compare every state →
which court
County court
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
small claims limit
$8,000
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exceptions: The limit does not count costs, interest or attorney's fees.
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
your situation
Everything above is the law as it reaches everyone in Florida. What it means for you turns on facts only you have. Tell us what happened and we'll ask the same questions a lawyer would — about 90 seconds, free, and anonymous.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Written by an AI model, which can be wrong. Not a lawyer, and not a prediction about your case. Terms · Privacy
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