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Quick summary: The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit covers Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties, in the Treasure Coast. Here’s where its courthouses are, which clerk takes your filing, and what a creditor should know before suing or collecting a judgment here.
Courts and clerks in the Nineteenth Circuit
| County | Main courthouse | Clerk |
|---|---|---|
| Indian River | Vero Beach Courthouse 2000 16th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960 | Indian River Clerk of Court |
| Martin | Stuart Courthouse 100 SE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994 | Martin Clerk of Court |
| Okeechobee | Okeechobee Courthouse 312 N.W. 3rd St., Okeechobee, FL 34972 | Okeechobee Clerk of Court |
| St. Lucie | St. Lucie County Courthouse 218 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950 | St. Lucie Clerk of Court |
The local economy, county by county
Indian River County
Indian River County is on Florida’s Atlantic coast. Vero Beach is the county seat, and Sebastian is the largest city. Fellsmere, Indian River Shores, and Orchid are also incorporated.
Healthcare, retail, and tourism employ many residents. Citrus growing has deep roots here. Piper Aircraft builds planes in Vero Beach, and the county also has boat builders and precision machine shops. Local businesses tend to hold commercial property along US 1 and SR A1A, farm and factory equipment, and receivables from medical, professional, and retail work.
Martin County
Martin County’s seat is Stuart, the main business center. Indiantown is also incorporated. Palm City, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, and Port Salerno are other key communities.
Healthcare, retail, and construction employ many residents. The county also targets marine, aviation and aerospace, manufacturing, agribusiness, and medical technology. Farming is centered around Indiantown. Industrial sites include Sands Commerce Center in Palm City. Businesses here often own retail, office, and warehouse property. Marine and aviation firms tend to hold costly specialized equipment. Healthcare, retail, and service firms hold receivables.
Okeechobee County
The City of Okeechobee is the county seat and the county’s only incorporated city. The rest of the county is unincorporated and largely rural.
Cattle, dairy, citrus, and sugarcane have long driven the economy. Manufacturing, including roof tiles and specialty chemicals, adds to it. Logistics firms use the county’s central highway access and CSX rail line. Business sites include Okeechobee Commerce Park and the Airport Commerce Park. Farmers and ranchers typically hold land, livestock, and equipment. Manufacturers and distributors hold industrial property, equipment, and inventory.
St. Lucie County
St. Lucie County is on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Fort Pierce is the county seat, and Port St. Lucie is the largest city. I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, and US 1 run through the county.
Target industries include manufacturing, marine, aviation, distribution, and life sciences. Amazon, FedEx Ground, and Walmart run large distribution centers here, and several sportfishing boat builders are based in the county. Treasure Coast International Airport and the Port of Fort Pierce support aviation and marine work. Businesses often hold warehouse and industrial property, manufacturing equipment, inventory, and receivables.
The circuit’s official site is the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. Appeals go to the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
What creditors should know here
- St. Lucie County also has the St. Lucie West Annex courthouse in Port St. Lucie.
- Four counties, four clerks. Venue depends on where the debtor lives or where the contract was made or breached.
- Florida sends a money claim to court by size. Small claims cover up to $8,000. County court handles claims up to $50,000. Circuit court takes claims over $50,000. Filing is electronic through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
How Kass Shuler handles collection matters in the Nineteenth Circuit
We represent creditors and businesses in courts across Florida from our Tampa office, and have since 1978. In this circuit, that includes:
- Pre-suit demand and resolution
- Collection litigation
- Judgment enforcement and garnishment
- Domesticating out-of-state judgments
- Skip tracing and asset investigations
- Mortgage default and foreclosure
- Creditors’ rights in bankruptcy
Frequently asked questions
Which counties are in Florida’s Nineteenth Judicial Circuit?
Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties.
Where do I file a collection lawsuit in the Nineteenth Circuit?
With the Clerk of Court in the county where the case belongs, usually where the debtor lives, where the contract was made or broken, or where the property is. Small claims and cases up to $50,000 go to county court, and larger claims go to circuit court.
Where do appeals from the Nineteenth Circuit go?
To the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
Can I enforce a judgment from another Florida county or another state here?
Yes. A Florida judgment can be recorded as a lien in any county. An out-of-state judgment first has to be domesticated in Florida. See domestication of foreign judgments.
Bottom line: If your debtor or your dispute is in the Nineteenth Circuit, contact us or call (813) 229-0900. We’ll tell you whether the file is worth chasing before you spend on it.