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Small claims & county court mediators in Florida

2,214 small claims & county court mediators listed in Florida, from official court and government rosters.

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Broward County (303)Miami-Dade County (242)Orange County (215)Palm Beach County (209)Hillsborough County (137)Pinellas County (82)Duval County (74)Lee County (71)Leon County (59)Volusia County (58)Seminole County (57)Brevard County (53)Sarasota County (48)Alachua County (38)St. Lucie County (33)Pasco County (32)Marion County (31)Escambia County (30)Lake County (28)Collier County (27)Polk County (24)Manatee County (23)Bay County (23)St. Johns County (22)Osceola County (21)Charlotte County (17)Martin County (16)Indian River County (15)Hernando County (15)Clay County (14)Santa Rosa County (13)Sumter County (13)Monroe County (10)Okaloosa County (9)Citrus County (8)Columbia County (7)Walton County (6)Flagler County (6)Nassau County (5)Highlands County (3)Gadsden County (3)Putnam County (3)
2,214 listed
2,214 listedSorted: paid placements (labeled) first, then most complete profile, then A–Z

Mediators who work online with Florida clients

No mediator from another state has told us they work online with Florida clients in this practice area yet. Local mediators may also offer video sessions; ask when you contact them.

Court-ordered case? Courts may require a mediator from their own approved list for court-ordered cases. Check your court’s rules, or see how mediation works in Florida.

Court-connected mediation in Florida: Florida statute has each circuit keep a list of Florida Supreme Court-certified mediators registered there for court appointments in civil, family and dependency cases. Whether parties may agree on a non-certified mediator was not confirmed.

Private mediation in Florida: No state license for private mediators was found in the Florida statutes reviewed; Supreme Court certification is tied to court-ordered mediation. No rule specific to out-of-state or online mediators was found.

Sources: Fla. Stat. § 44.102, Court-ordered mediation (Online Sunshine) · Fla. Stat. § 44.1011, Definitions (Online Sunshine) · Unlicensed Practice - Formal Advisory Opinions, The Florida Bar · partly verified

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In-depth explainers

Small claims mediation

How mediation works in Florida small claims court: when it happens, who can attend, what it costs, and what happens to any agreement you sign. · Fact-checked 2026-10-06

This guide is general information about Florida procedure, not legal advice. Rules change, and local practice varies by county. If your case is complicated or a lot of money is at stake, talk to a Florida lawyer.

Small claims court is designed to be simple and fast, and mediation is built into it. In many Florida counties, you may meet with a mediator on the same day as your first court appearance. This guide explains what that looks like, what the rules require of you, and how to prepare.

What counts as a small claims case in Florida

The Florida Small Claims Rules cover civil cases in county court that ask for money or property worth no more than $8,000, not counting costs, interest, and attorney fees.1 The rules say they exist to provide a "simple, speedy, and inexpensive" trial.1

Small claims is a slice of county court. County courts in Florida handle civil cases up to $50,000 for cases filed on or after January 1, 2023.2 Cases between $8,000 and $50,000 are still county court cases, but they follow the regular Florida Rules of Civil Procedure rather than the Small Claims Rules. Mediation in those larger county cases works differently; see the section on county court cases below.

When mediation happens

The pretrial conference

Your first court date in a small claims case is a pretrial conference, not a trial. The clerk must set it no more than 50 days after the case is filed.1 At the pretrial conference, the court considers, among other things, "the possibilities of settlement."1 Nonjudicial court staff may run the conference, but a judge must be available for motions and legal questions.1

Mediation on the same day

The Small Claims Rules say mediation "may take place at the pretrial conference."1 The Rules of Civil Procedure add a scheduling rule for small claims: unless the court orders otherwise, the mediator is appointed and the mediation held during or immediately after the pretrial conference, and never more than 14 days after it.3

In practice, this means you should arrive at your pretrial conference ready to negotiate. Many people are surprised to find themselves in a mediation room within an hour of checking in.

Who has to attend, and who can attend for you

The rule that matters most is full authority to settle. Whoever appears for a party at mediation must have it.1

  • You, in person or remotely. Appearance can be in person, or by communication technology if the court authorizes it or the parties agree in writing.1
  • Your lawyer. A lawyer may attend for you if the lawyer has full authority to settle without further consultation. You then do not have to attend.1
  • A nonlawyer representative. Unless the court orders otherwise, a nonlawyer may attend for you if they have your signed written authority to appear and full authority to settle without further consultation.1
  • Businesses. A business may be represented by a principal with authority to bind it, or by an employee authorized in writing by a principal.1 The official form for this authorization expressly covers mediation.1

If you do not follow these attendance rules, the court may make you pay the other side's costs and attorney fees.1

Having authority to settle does not mean you must settle. The official court commentary says the full-authority requirement "should not be equated to a requirement to settle" when a party wants to go to trial.1

What it costs

When a circuit's court mediation program provides court-ordered mediation, Florida law sets certain per-person fees for county court cases, but it also says: "No mediation fees shall be assessed... for any small claims action."4 Parties found to be indigent are also exempt.4

If the court program is unavailable or not appropriate, a county court case may be sent to a mediator who charges a fee. In that situation the referral order must tell you that you can object on grounds of financial hardship, and mediation does not go forward until the judge rules on the objection.3

You can also choose to hire a private mediator before or after filing. Fees for private mediators are set by agreement, so ask up front.

What happens in the room

A mediator does not decide who is right. Florida's ethics rules for certified mediators say decisions are made by the parties, and the mediator "must not make substantive decisions for any party" or coerce anyone into an agreement.5 A mediator may point out possible outcomes and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a claim, but must not predict how the court will rule.5 If a mediator thinks you do not understand how an agreement could affect your legal rights, the mediator must tell you that you can get independent legal advice.5

Confidentiality

Florida's Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act applies to court-ordered mediation and to mediation run by a Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator unless the parties agree otherwise.6 In general, what is said in mediation stays confidential and cannot be used as evidence later.7 There are exceptions. A signed written agreement is not confidential unless the parties agree it should be, and threats of violence or reports of abuse of a child or vulnerable adult are not protected.7

If you reach an agreement

Any agreement reached in small claims mediation must be written as a stipulation. The stipulation may be entered as an order of the court, and signatures may be original, electronic, or by fax.1

Before you sign, check:

  1. Amount and dates. The exact dollar amount, due dates, and how payment will be made.
  2. Default terms. What happens if a payment is missed (for example, whether the other side can ask the court for a judgment).
  3. Dismissal. Whether and when the case will be dismissed.
  4. Property. Return of any property, and in what condition.

Read every line. Once signed, you are expected to follow it.

If you do not reach an agreement

Nothing is lost. The court must set the case for trial no more than 60 days after the pretrial conference, with at least 10 days' notice of the trial date.1 What was said in mediation generally cannot be used at trial.7

Larger county court cases (over $8,000)

County court cases above the small claims limit follow the general mediation rules in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, as modified by Rule 1.750 for county court.3 A judge may refer all or part of a contested civil case to mediation.8 In those cases, a party is treated as appearing only if the required people attend, which can include the party or a representative with full authority to settle, counsel, and an insurance representative if insurance is involved.8 Separate court-program fees can apply to county cases up to $15,000 that are not small claims.4

Which kind of certified mediator handles small claims

The Florida Supreme Court certifies mediators by type: county court, family, circuit court, dependency, and appellate.5 Small claims and other county court cases are the domain of certified county court mediators. Certified circuit court mediators also qualify for county court certification.5

How to prepare

  • Bring documents. Contracts, invoices, receipts, photos, texts, and repair estimates. The official notice to appear tells parties to be ready to show documents needed to prove the case and explain what settlement efforts have been made.1
  • Know your numbers. Decide in advance the least you would accept, or the most you would pay, and why.
  • Think about payment plans. Many small claims settlements involve installments. Know what you can realistically pay or accept.
  • Bring written authority if someone is attending for you or for your business.1

Ready to look for help? Browse Florida mediators at /fl/ or tell us about your dispute at /get-matched/.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay for mediation in a Florida small claims case? When the court's own mediation program provides court-ordered mediation, Florida law says no mediation fee may be charged in a small claims action. If you hire a private mediator instead, you agree on the fee with that mediator.

Can I send someone else to small claims mediation for me? Yes, within limits. A lawyer with full authority to settle can attend for you, and unless the court orders otherwise, a nonlawyer can attend if they have your signed written authority and full authority to settle. Whoever attends must be able to settle without checking back with you.

Do I have to settle at mediation? No. You must show up with authority to settle, but Florida's rules say that is not a requirement to settle. If there is no agreement, the case goes to trial.

What happens if the other side does not do what we agreed? Small claims mediation agreements are written as a stipulation that can be entered as a court order. If a party breaches it, you can ask the court to enforce it.

Sources

  1. Florida Small Claims Rules (eff. July 1, 2026), Rules 7.010, 7.050, 7.090, Form 7.322 (summons/notice to appear), Form 7.350. https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/08/2026_01-JUL-Small-Claims-Rules-7-1-2026-1.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18

  2. Fla. Stat. § 34.01(1)(c)3. (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/34.01 ↩

  3. Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.750, County Court Actions (eff. Oct. 1, 2026). https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/Civil-Procedure-Rules-10-01-26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  4. Fla. Stat. § 44.108(2) (2025). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/44.108 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  5. Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators (eff. Jan. 1, 2025), Rules 10.100, 10.310, 10.370. https://flcourts-media.flcourts.gov/content/download/1998036/file/Rules%20for%20Certified%20&%20Court-Appointed%20Mediators.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  6. Fla. Stat. § 44.402(1) (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/44.402 ↩

  7. Fla. Stat. § 44.405 (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/44.405 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  8. Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.700(a) and 1.720(b) (eff. Oct. 1, 2026). https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/Civil-Procedure-Rules-10-01-26.pdf ↩ ↩2

Landlord-tenant mediation

How mediation fits into Florida residential landlord-tenant disputes and evictions, including deadlines it does not pause, costs, and agreements. · Fact-checked 2026-10-06

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Eviction cases move quickly and missing a deadline can decide the case. If you have received an eviction summons, consider contacting a lawyer or legal aid office right away.

Most landlord-tenant disputes are about money, repairs, or timing: unpaid rent, a security deposit, a broken air conditioner, or how long a tenant needs to move out. Those are the kinds of problems mediation is good at, because both sides usually want the same thing in the end: a clear, workable plan. This guide covers residential rentals in Florida.

The law that applies

Florida's residential rental rules are in Part II of chapter 83 of the Florida Statutes, known as the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.1 A few parts of it shape almost every mediation.

Notices

  • Unpaid rent. A landlord may give a 3-day written notice demanding payment or possession. The 3 days exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.2
  • Other lease violations. For violations that can be fixed, the notice gives the tenant 7 days to cure. For certain serious violations, the notice gives 7 days to move out with no chance to cure.2

The eviction lawsuit

To recover possession, a landlord files a complaint in the county court of the county where the rental is located, and the case uses the summary procedure in section 51.011.3 Under that procedure, the tenant's defenses must be in an answer filed within 5 days after service.4

Paying rent into the court registry

If a tenant raises any defense other than payment, including a defective 3-day notice, the tenant must pay the rent alleged in the complaint (or the amount set by the court) into the court registry, plus rent that comes due while the case is pending.5 Failing to do so on time waives defenses other than payment and allows the landlord to get an immediate default judgment for possession.5

No self-help

A landlord may not shut off utilities, change the locks, or remove a tenant's belongings to force the tenant out, except after surrender, abandonment, or a lawful eviction, among other narrow situations.6 A landlord who does so can owe actual and consequential damages or 3 months' rent, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney fees.6

Security deposits

After a tenancy ends, a landlord who makes no claim on the deposit must return it within 15 days. A landlord who intends to make a claim must send written notice within 30 days. The tenant then has 15 days to object.7 In a court dispute over the deposit, the prevailing party is entitled to court costs and a reasonable attorney fee.7

Where mediation fits

Mediation is not automatic in eviction cases

Florida's court-ordered mediation statute says courts must refer certain civil damages cases to mediation when a party asks, but it lists landlord and tenant disputes not involving personal injury among the exceptions.8 The same statute still lets a court refer "all or any part of a filed civil action" to mediation at its discretion.8 So whether your eviction case goes to mediation depends on the judge and on what your county court offers. Practice varies across Florida.

Deadlines keep running

The 5-day answer deadline and the rent-deposit requirement come from statute.45 Do not assume that agreeing to mediate, or being scheduled for mediation, pauses them. Unless a court order says otherwise, file what you need to file and deposit what you need to deposit. Then mediate.

Small claims and money cases

Many landlord-tenant money disputes, such as unpaid rent after a move-out or a contested deposit, are filed as small claims cases. Florida's Small Claims Rules apply to county court cases worth $8,000 or less, excluding costs, interest, and attorney fees.9 In those cases, mediation may take place at the pretrial conference, and any agreement must be written as a stipulation that may be entered as a court order.9 Larger money cases up to $50,000 are filed in county court for cases filed on or after January 1, 2023.10

What it costs

When mediation is provided by a circuit's court mediation program, Florida law says no mediation fee may be assessed "in residential eviction cases," in small claims actions, or against a party found to be indigent.11 If the court refers a county court case to a fee-charging mediator because no volunteer program is available, the order must tell the parties they can object on grounds of financial hardship.12

Private mediation, before or outside a lawsuit, costs whatever the mediator charges. Ask in advance and agree in writing how the fee will be split.

What can be negotiated

Mediation lets landlords and tenants build solutions a judge may not be able to order. Common topics include:

  • Payment plans for back rent, with specific dates and amounts.
  • Move-out agreements with a firm date, condition of the unit, and what happens to the deposit.
  • Repairs, with a deadline and access arrangements.
  • Dismissal of the case once the agreed terms are performed.
  • What happens on default, such as whether the landlord may ask the court for a judgment for possession without another hearing.

Read default terms closely. They can matter more than the payment schedule.

How Florida mediators are certified for these cases

The Florida Supreme Court certifies mediators by type, including county court and circuit court mediators.13 Eviction and small claims cases are county court matters, so certified county court mediators handle them in court programs. A certified circuit court mediator also qualifies for county court certification.13

Whatever their certification, Florida's ethics rules say mediators must not decide the case for the parties or coerce anyone to agree, and must not predict how the court will rule.13

Confidentiality

Court-ordered mediation, and mediation run by a Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator, is covered by Florida's Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act unless the parties agree otherwise.14 Communications are generally confidential and privileged, but a signed agreement is not confidential unless the parties agree it should be, and threats of violence are not protected.15

How to prepare

Tenants:

  • Bring the lease, the notice you received, rent receipts, bank records, and photos of conditions.
  • Know what you can realistically pay and when.
  • If you are in an eviction case, bring proof of anything you filed with the court and any registry deposit.

Landlords:

  • Bring the lease, the ledger, copies of notices and proof of delivery, and inspection photos.
  • Decide in advance what you will accept: full payment, a plan, or a move-out date.
  • If you are a business, make sure whoever attends has authority to settle.

Ready to look for help? Browse Florida mediators at /fl/ or tell us about your dispute at /get-matched/.

Frequently asked questions

Is eviction mediation required in Florida? Not statewide. Florida's mediation statute excludes landlord-tenant cases (other than personal injury) from the rule that requires a court to refer a case to mediation when a party asks, but judges may still refer them. Whether your county offers eviction mediation depends on local practice.

Does going to mediation stop the 5-day deadline in an eviction? Do not assume it does. Florida's eviction procedure requires an answer within 5 days after service, and a tenant who raises defenses other than payment must deposit rent into the court registry. Meet those deadlines unless a court order says otherwise.

Is there a fee for court mediation in an eviction case? When a circuit's court mediation program provides court-ordered mediation, Florida law says no mediation fee may be assessed in residential eviction cases.

Can a security deposit dispute be mediated? Yes. Deposit disputes are often small claims cases, and Florida's Small Claims Rules allow mediation at the pretrial conference.

Sources

  1. Fla. Stat. § 83.40 (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/83.40 ↩

  2. Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2)-(3) (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/83.56 ↩ ↩2

  3. Fla. Stat. § 83.59(2) (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/83.59 ↩

  4. Fla. Stat. § 51.011(1) (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/51.011 ↩ ↩2

  5. Fla. Stat. § 83.60(2) (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/83.60 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  6. Fla. Stat. § 83.67 (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/83.67 ↩ ↩2

  7. Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3) (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/83.49 ↩ ↩2

  8. Fla. Stat. § 44.102(2)(a)-(b) (2025). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/44.102 ↩ ↩2

  9. Florida Small Claims Rules (eff. July 1, 2026), Rules 7.010(b), 7.090(f)-(g). https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/08/2026_01-JUL-Small-Claims-Rules-7-1-2026-1.pdf ↩ ↩2

  10. Fla. Stat. § 34.01(1)(c) (2025). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/34.01 ↩

  11. Fla. Stat. § 44.108(2) (2025). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/44.108 ↩

  12. Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.750(b) (eff. Oct. 1, 2026). https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/Civil-Procedure-Rules-10-01-26.pdf ↩

  13. Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators (eff. Jan. 1, 2025), Rules 10.100, 10.310, 10.370. https://flcourts-media.flcourts.gov/content/download/1998036/file/Rules%20for%20Certified%20&%20Court-Appointed%20Mediators.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  14. Fla. Stat. § 44.402(1) (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/44.402 ↩

  15. Fla. Stat. § 44.405 (2026). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/44.405 ↩

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