Rule 1.525 Motions for Costs and Attorneys’ Fees

If you win a court case and want to be paid back for your legal costs or attorney's fees, you must act quickly. You have 30 days after the final judgment is filed to ask the court for that money.

This 30-day clock also starts if the case ends with a dismissal, whether the court dismisses it or the other party chooses to drop the case. To ask for costs or fees, you file a formal written request called a motion with the court before that deadline passes.

If you miss the 30-day window, you may lose your right to recover those costs and fees. So it is worth keeping track of the exact date the case ends.