Florida Statute of Limitations for Breach of Contract Explained

When you experience a breach of contract, you should know what you can do about it. How long do you have to file a lawsuit to seek remedies and claim damages? DoNotPay will tell you all about the Florida statute of limitations for breach of contract—what it is, whether there are exceptions, and if you can avoid going to court in the first place.

What Constitutes a Breach of Contract in Florida?

A breach of contract in Florida happens if one contractual party fails to fulfill obligations spelled out in the agreement. In Florida, a breach of contract can entail a failure to:

• Perform a service
• Pay for performed services
• Deliver goods on time
• Deliver the right goods

To establish that there is a breach, the injured party has to prove the following breach of contract elements:

What Does the Statute of Limitations for Breach of Contract Refer To?

A statute of limitations refers to the limited period during which a party can sue for breach of contract. Each state has a different statute of limitations, so before you file your lawsuit, check whether the statute of limitations allows it.

Failing to file a lawsuit within the specified timeframe may result in your claim being dismissed. In most cases, the statute of limitations begins when the breach occurs.

The purpose of the statute of limitations is to ensure that the case stays relevant because evidence can be lost and witnesses' memories can get distorted.

Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Florida

According to the Florida statute of limitations for breach of contract, you—i.e., the plaintiff—have the following timeframes to sue for the breach:

1. Written contracts—Five years
2. Oral contracts—Four years
3. Specific performance claims—One year

It is important that you respect the statute of limitations, especially since the defendant can use it as a defense if the period expires.

Are There Exceptions to the Florida Statute of Limitations for Breach of Contract?

There are certain situations when the deadline for filing a claim can be extended—it is called tolling a statute of limitations. The tolling occurs if the defendant:

• Is not in the state when the breach occurs
• Uses a false name the plaintiff is not familiar with
• Cannot be found because they are hiding

Should You Send a Demand Letter Before Proceeding to Court?

If you are uncertain about filing a claim but don’t want the statute of limitations to expire, consider sending a demand letter. A demand letter can help you seek remedies and claim damages out of court, which means it will save you both money and time since litigation can be expensive and time-consuming.

The breach of contract demand letter should contain the following:

• Elements of the breach
• Type of breach (whether it is material, anticipatory, fundamental, or similar)
• Damages you seek
• Proposition of a solution
• Final deadline by which the breaching party needs to fulfill their obligation

If you decide to proceed with a lawsuit, sending a demand letter can be beneficial—the court will take it as a sign of your good faith.

If you sign up for DoNotPay, you can get a fully personalized demand letter in a few simple steps.

DoNotPay Drafts a Watertight Demand Letter in Mere Minutes

Forget expensive lawyers and unreliable demand letter templates because DoNotPay has everything you need. We have a product that is budget-friendly and easy to use. Our AI-powered app has knowledge of Florida contract law that will help us create a professional demand letter.

Follow the steps below to get your demand letter:

1. Register for DoNotPay and access the Client Breach of Contract product
2. Provide details about the case, including:
   1. Information about your client
   2. Date when the last payment was due
   3. The amount that the client owes you
   4. Services you performed for the client
3. Indicate the date by which you want your client to pay you before you proceed to court
4. Add photo evidence if you have any

Once you complete the questionnaire, we will generate your demand letter, which will comply with all the necessary laws and cover the specific aspects of your case.

If you get no answer to your demand letter, DoNotPay can also help you sue your client in small claims court.

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