No need for attorney. Show up to court and dispute the claim against you. Let the judge decide. Pretty simple.

It seems to me that if the court orders the loser to pay compensation and they failed to do so that would be considered a contempt of court and subject to jail time. Failing that, the winner can also file a judgment against the loser.

Oops I misread original post. Sorry

If you win in court, you already have a judgment. But, I don't think you get much help from the court to collect the money. One way to collect is to hire someone who can find a bank account and the bank will debit the account based on the court judgment. The loser may not even know the account has been debited until after the money is gone.

Sometimes only the threat is enough.

Some years back I had a dispute with Best-Buy over a computer I had purchased from them. Can't remember all the details but the bottom line was that they refused to do some work that I thought should have been under warranty but they claimed it wasn't: I had called them about the problem during the warranty period but when I did bring it in (on appointment) the warranty had expired--or so they claimed--and whatever work they might do I would have to pay for. I must have spoken to at least six people during the course of that visit: a couple of Geek Squad members, a salesperson in the computer area, an assistant manager, manager, etc. But still no go. I finally got the problem resolved by telling the manager that I would be taking the issue to small claims court--and that I was going to subpoena every last person I had talked to that day, plus the person who had originally sold us the computer. They backed off right quick: the manager told me I could go and pick out any computer on the floor. I told him that I wasn't interested in taking advantage of them; that I would be satisfied with a new unit of equal value (though not the exact same model), which is what happened.

Talk to someone at Crimes against Seniors (Morse/466 at Sheriffs office). I spoke with a gentlemen by the name of Paul and he was very knowledgeable on the process

You don't need a lawyer. Small claims court justices don't like plantains or defendants coming with lawyer. Do some online research.

Well done:BigApplause:

Irs called
 

Hijacking or thread drift. It's an acquired art but well used on this board. It's all about them

How long did it take to collect?

Just turn up on the day with all the relevant documentation to defend yourself.
No need for any legal representation.
Whoever is bringing the claim against you needs to prove his claim.
You need proof, to disprove the plaintiffs claim.
Judge will decide who goes home happy.

PS Don't waffle!

Florida Small Claims etc
 

Go to:
help.flcourts.gov
See the list on the right side. Small Claims is the last item. Click Forms are there as well as instructions. Good Luck!

I know in California they have a small claims court of advisor and it’s free of charge. They’re very helpful, so check into it here.

I remember reading an article years ago in the informer, the title was, I bought a lawyer, and it didn’t work.

Obviously the person or party filing the claim against you believes you owe them money. You'll have an opportunity to make your case in court why you don't. If you win then it's over. If you lose…as some of the posts talk about how collection is difficult… But not impossible. I do not know Florida law but in Minnesota you can get a judgment against an individual and then go and seize assets of the person to satisfy the judgment.