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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 federal-holiday closures; not legal advice. Confirm against your specific case, local administrative orders, and the current rules.
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).