Hiring a Lemon Law Lawyer in Florida
The Florida lemon law for new cars, the rules for used cars, where to file a complaint, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Florida: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Florida requires every contingent fee arrangement to be a written contract signed by the client and a lawyer for the firm, stating the percentages on settlement, trial or appeal and the costs deducted (and whether before or after the fee); the client gets a copy and, at the end, an itemized closing statement. Contingent fees are banned for criminal defendants and for domestic relations fees contingent on a divorce or the amount of alimony, support or property settlement. In personal injury, wrongful death and property damage tort cases, the client must first receive and sign a Statement of Client's Rights, and the contract may be cancelled in writing within 3 business days. Without court approval, fees above these levels are presumed clearly excessive: before an answer is filed (or demand for arbitrators), 33 1/3% of any recovery up to $1 million, 30% of $1-2 million, and 20% above $2 million; after an answer through judgment, 40% up to $1 million, 30% of $1-2 million, 20% above $2 million; if all defendants admit liability and ask for trial on damages only, 33 1/3% up to $1 million, 20% of $1-2 million, 15% above $2 million; plus an additional 5% if an appeal or post-judgment action is needed. In medical liability cases the lawyer must also give the client the text of Florida Constitution article I, section 26 (which, unless waived, entitles the claimant to at least 70% of the first $250,000 of damages). |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Florida Bar's Legal Fee Arbitration Program is free and voluntary: either the lawyer or the client can start it, but both must consent by signing an Agreement to Arbitrate. An arbitrator hears testimony, reviews evidence and makes a final and binding decision. Consumer guide: https://www.floridabar.org/public/consumer/pamphlet009/ |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Florida Bar Clients' Security Fund, financed by part of Bar members' dues, may provide discretionary relief to people who lost money because a Florida lawyer misappropriated it during an attorney-client relationship. The lawyer generally must have been suspended, disbarred or had a license revoked (or have died), and a grievance must be filed unless the lawyer was already disbarred, revoked or deceased. Limits: unearned fees up to $5,000 (only if no useful services were provided) and misappropriation up to $250,000; damages, expenses and lost interest are not paid, and negligence, malpractice and fee disputes are not covered. File within three years of the final disciplinary action or the lawyer's death; processing often takes more than 12 months, and theft claims are paid once a year (prorated if funds are short). |
Florida rules to know first
| Lemon law for new cars | Florida's lemon law covers new vehicles sold in Florida, including recreational vehicles (except the living quarters), demonstrators and leased vehicles, but not motorcycles, mopeds, off-road vehicles or trucks over 10,000 pounds. The "Lemon Law rights period" is the 24 months after original delivery. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed if, during that period, the same defect was repaired at least three times plus a final repair attempt by the manufacturer (after the consumer's written notice) and still exists, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs a total of 30 or more days (60 for recreational vehicles). If the defect substantially impairs use, value or safety and cannot be fixed, the manufacturer must, within 40 days, repurchase the vehicle and refund the full purchase price, or replace it with a vehicle acceptable to the consumer, in either case less a reasonable offset for use and including collateral and incidental charges. The consumer has an unconditional right to choose a refund. Chapter 681 also creates the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board for lemon law disputes. Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 681.102, 681.104 |
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| How to make a lemon law claim | 1) Written notice and final repair attempt: after three attempts to repair the same defect, the consumer must notify the manufacturer in writing by registered or express mail so it can make a final repair attempt. The manufacturer has 10 days after receiving the notice to respond and offer a repair at a reasonably accessible facility, then 10 days (45 for a recreational vehicle) after the vehicle is delivered there to fix it; if it does not respond or repair in time, the final-attempt requirement no longer applies. If the vehicle has been out of service for 15 or more days in total, the consumer must also notify the manufacturer in writing by registered or express mail so it can inspect or repair the vehicle. 2) Manufacturer program: if the manufacturer has a dispute program certified by the Department of Legal Affairs (Attorney General) and told the consumer how to use it, the consumer must use it first, filing no later than 60 days after the 24-month Lemon Law rights period ends. 3) State arbitration: the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, run by the Attorney General's office, hears disputes when the manufacturer has no certified program, the program lacks jurisdiction, it does not decide within 40 days, or the consumer is unhappy with its decision. The request, on a department form, is due no later than 60 days after the rights period ends or 30 days after the program's final action, whichever is later. Before suing, the consumer must first submit the dispute to the department, and to the Board if it is found eligible. The Board hears the case within 40 days and decides within 60 days after the request is approved; either side may appeal to circuit court within 30 days after receiving the decision. 4) Deadline to sue: within 1 year after the rights period ends, or within 1 year after the final action of the program, department or Board if the consumer used one. Recreational vehicles use a separate RV Mediation and Arbitration Program (§§ 681.1096-681.1097). The statute does not set a consumer filing fee for Board arbitration; a $2 fee is collected from buyers at the time of sale or lease (§ 681.117). A consumer who wins in court recovers litigation costs and reasonable attorney's fees. |
| Where to file a consumer complaint | The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) takes complaints about businesses, whether or not it regulates the specific industry, through its online complaint pages. The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division is the civil enforcement authority for the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service matches you with a lawyer based on your legal issue and location after you briefly describe your situation. "You can receive a 30-minute consultation for no more than $25." Call 800-342-8011 (weekdays 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) or use the online referral form, available 24/7. Local bar associations run nine referral services in Florida's major cities, and The Florida Bar handles referrals from all other areas. The service does not have pro bono lawyers. Coverage areas: https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/coverage-areas/ |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Florida Bar's member search ("Find a Member") lets you look up Florida lawyers by name, Bar number (exact match), city, county, state or country, with filters for eligible lawyers only, board certifications, practice areas, law schools and languages. Source: The Florida Bar, Find a Member |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Florida Bar's Attorney/Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP) is a resource for people who want to discuss concerns about a lawyer's conduct: call 866-352-0707. To file a formal Bar complaint, download the complaint form, review the instructions and submit it as directed. The Bar publishes a monthly summary of disciplinary actions and instructions for viewing discipline documents. The Florida Bar: 651 E. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32399; 850-561-5600. Filing a complaint: https://www.floridabar.org/public/acap/filing-a-complaint/ ; Discipline documents: https://www.floridabar.org/public/acap/instructions/ |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Florida's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Bay Area Legal Services, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Florida Rural Legal Services, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Legal Services of North Florida and Three Rivers Legal Services. The Florida Bar's referral page also points people seeking free or low-cost help to Florida legal aid programs listed at fundingfla.org. Florida Bar LRS page: https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/ |
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All legal help in Florida · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.