1.   What are the Civil Division's permanent address and phone number?

2072 Victoria Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33901-3750
239-477-1353
Fax # 477-1170

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2.   What are the office hours of operation?

Monday thru Friday 8:00AM to 5:00 PM (coincides with the courts and Clerk's Office)

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3.   What are the Sheriff's fees for serving Civil Process?

Click here for a printable list.

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4.   Where can I obtain legal forms and information for filing a civil court case?

On line at www.leeclerk.org or in person at 1700 Monroe St. Fort Myers, Fl. 33901
or if you live in the City of Cape Coral, at 1039 SE 9th Pl., Lee County Clerks Office. You may also get helpful information at www.800helpfla.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA from the Division of Consumer Services, Charles Bronson, Commissioner for information available but not limited to:

Court as your last resort,

Landlord Tenant Law,

Auto Repair,

Consumer Services,

Unwanted Telephone Solicitation Issues,

Florida Lemon Law ,

Telemarketing Fraud,

Information on how to buy a used car.

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5.   What can I do if I and my landlord are involved in a dispute?

The Sheriff's Office cannot intervene on either party’s behalf unless a threat of violence has occurred or a crime has been committed against the involved parties. Referral information is available through the Landlord Tenant Citizen Dispute Program
at 1-239-335-2885 or www.800helpfla.com, Landlord Tenant Law.

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6.   What are the steps to the eviction process?

Click here for a printable version of the three steps of the eviction process.

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7.   Why can it take so long to get my civil paper served?

Service problems may vary but some of the most common delays are:

Improper or incomplete service address (P.O. Boxes cannot be used).

Delays in paper processing due to the filing location (example: Cape Coral Clerk's Office, U.S. Mail or Fed-X delivery delays, observance of holidays by the Court and Clerk Office closures).

No included service instructions.

No self-addressed, stamped envelope or information for returns.

No information on respondent's or defendant's place of employment or contact numbers.

Suggestions:

Only provide certified, stamped clerk's copies and/or originals for service.

Provide only cash, money orders, cashiers checks or business checks when dropping off civil process for service (no personal checks, credit cards, debit cards accepted).

Avoidance of the above-mentioned reasons for delays and compliance with the noted suggestions could avoid processing delays and ensure faster, more accurate service when attempting to effect service of civil process.

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8.   Why can’t the Sheriffs Office post my 5- &20-Day Eviction Summons?

This type of civil summons requires personal service by Florida State Statute and can lead to service delays if filed together. The landlord or agent can separate these actions, which in return can speed up the eviction process by allowing the 5-Day Eviction Summons to be posted after two (2) separate attempts within a 6-hour time frame. NOTE: Each individual case may be different and contacting someone for legal guidance may prove beneficial before exploring this option.

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9.   Why does it take more than 24 hours to finalize a Writ of Possession?

According to Florida Rules of Procedure and State Statute you cannot count the date of service or weekends and holidays in the 24-hour time calculation.

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10.   What is the Sheriff's Levy Procedure and what are the requirements?

Click here for printable requirements for the levy procedure.

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