Self Help

​​Represent yourself in court? DIY Florida Can Help!


REPRESENTING YOURSELF IN A CIVIL COURT CASE

If you are considering representing yourself in a civil court case, we offer this short informational video provided by the Florida State Courts:

File or Answer a Civil Complaint

You can also find more Self Help information on their site or look for their “Florida Courts Help” app for your mobile devices.

DIY (Do -It-Yourself) Interactive Forms

The Alachua County Clerk offers easy to use interactive forms through DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Florida, which uses interview style questions to lead you through the steps and prepare official court forms​​

Once prepared, you can use the E-Filing Portal to electronically file your completed forms with your Clerk’s office.*
*Required filing, service, and convenience fees, may apply.

Over 20 forms are currently available on the DIY platform in 5 areas:

    • Landlord Tenant Cases
    • Small Claims
    • Domestic Violence
    • Simplified Dissolution
    • Domestic Relations
Try DIY Florida Today! It's easy to get started!  

TO ​GET STARTED VISIT THE FLORIDA COURTS E-FILING PORTAL WEB PAGE

Visit www.MyFLCourtAccess.com and click on the DIY tab. You can also visit the DIY tab directly by using the URL below.
www.MyFLCourtAccess.com/Authority/DIY

SIGN IN OR REGISTER AND GO TO DIY DOCUMENTS

Once you are signed in, click on Filing Options then DIY Documents. If you sign up as a self-represented litigant filer role, you’ll be taken directly to the DIY Florida page when you log in.

SELECT ONE OF THE MANY FORMS AVAILABLE

Click on the form, read the instructions, and click Start Interview.

COMPLETE THE INTERVIEW TO SUBMIT YOUR FORMS

Answer the questions, and the DIY Florida application will prepare your court forms and add them to the Portal. To file them, simply provide a payment method and click submit. No additional information is required.

General Self Help Information

General Self Help Information

For other matters, or if you prefer to not use DIY Florida, the Alachua County Clerk offers all Florida Supreme Court approved forms for free download or physical purchase at our office. https://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/Pages/Forms.aspx 

For information on electronic filing, go to                                                      Electronic Filing (eFiling) Information. 

Eighth Circuit Self-Help Program

Eighth Circuit Self-Help Program

The Eighth Judicial Circuit has a Self-Help Program located on the Fourth Floor of the Eighth Judicial Circuit’s Civil and Family Law Justice Center, 201 E University Ave, Gainesville Florida. Self-Help Program staff will explain procedures; additional court requirements; review the file before scheduling a court event to insure the correct forms were filed; and help with setting a hearing with the Judge.

Additional information about the Self-Help Program is on their webpage at https://circuit8.org/self-help/​

Small Claims

Small Claims

Small Claims cases can be filed through DIY Florida. Small Claims cases are filed when a person or business needs the court to make a decision regarding monetary civil disputes for damages or replevin claims not exceeding $8,000.

To get started:  www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/DIY

For Alachua County Information and Forms on Small Claims Cases: https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/Pages/SmallClaims.aspx

Landlord Tenant

Landlord Tenant

Landlord tenant cases can be filed through DIY Florida. Forms and packets are also available both online and at the Clerk’s office. Residential evictions are governed by chapter 83, Florida Statutes.

To get started:  www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/DIY

Landlord/Tenant Packet
Florida Bar Public Consumer Pamphlet on Eviction

Family

Family

Dissolution of Marriage cases can be filed through DIY Florida. Forms and packets are also available both online and at the Clerk’s office.

To get started:
Dissolution of Marriage with Children
Dissolution of Marriage without Children​

Other family law case types are: Paternity, Name Change, Child Support, and Adoption. Domestic Violence information is also considered a Family case type, but is addressed separately.

Family Forms for Alachua County

Domestic Violence Injunction

Domestic Violence Injunction

Domestic Violence Injunctions can be filed through DIY Florida. Forms and packets are also available both online and at the Clerk’s office.

To get started:  www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/DIY​

Get forms and more information on Domestic Violence Injunctions here:

Appeals

Appeals

An appeal is a request for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision. A notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the lower court’s decision.

To get started: https://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/Pages/Forms.aspx ​

Resources

Pro Se Appellate Handbook
District Court of Appeals – Florida Courts
Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure​

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