Florida / Settlement & costs
Florida proposal for settlement deadline
In Florida, a proposal for settlement (offer of judgment) may be accepted by serving a written acceptance within 30 days after service of the proposal.
Estimates based on standard Florida rules and court-holiday closures. For use by licensed attorneys only. This calculator is for informational purposes, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Verify every deadline and citation against the applicable rules and court orders before relying on it. See our Terms.
How the deadline works
Under Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.442(f), a proposal for settlement is accepted by serving a written notice of acceptance within 30 days after service of the proposal; a proposal not accepted within that period is deemed rejected. Because the proposal is served on a party who has appeared, Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.514(b) adds 5 days when it is served by mail.
The deadline matters even if you do not accept: an unaccepted proposal can support a claim for attorney’s fees under the offer-of-judgment statute, section 768.79, depending on the eventual judgment. The 30-day count follows Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.514.
- Deemed rejected by silence No action is required to reject; the proposal lapses if not accepted within the period.
- Served by mail? Add 5 days under Rule 2.514(b) by selecting “Service by mail” above.
- Fee exposure An unaccepted proposal can trigger fee-shifting under section 768.79 depending on the result at trial.
Questions
- How long do I have to accept a proposal for settlement in Florida?
- 30 days after service of the proposal, under Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.442(f). After that it is deemed rejected. Mail service adds 5 days under Rule 2.514(b).
More Florida deadline calculators
- Answer to a complaint
- Answer to a counterclaim or crossclaim
- Response to an amended pleading
- Jury-trial demand
- Interrogatory responses
- Request-for-production responses
- Requests-for-admission responses
- Summary-judgment response
- Earliest summary-judgment hearing
- Motion for rehearing or new trial
- Notice of appeal
- Serve the complaint (120-day service)