Miami-Dade Sheriff and the Writ of Possession: What Happens After Judgment
After a court issues a Writ of Possession in Miami-Dade, the Sheriff's Office executes it. Here is exactly how that process works and what operators need to prepare.
What a Writ of Possession is
After a court enters a Final Judgment for Possession, the Clerk issues a Writ of Possession directing the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office to restore possession of the property to the landlord.
The Writ does not happen automatically. The landlord must request it from the Clerk after judgment is entered, pay the writ fee, and submit it to the Sheriff's Office Court Services Bureau for execution.
The Sheriff's Office: location and payment
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Court Services Bureau
601 NW 1st Court, 9th Floor
Miami, FL 33136
Phone: (305) 375-5100
Writ execution fee: $115
Service fee (summons): $40 per defendant
Critical payment requirement: Both fees must be paid by check from a Miami-Dade County banking institution with your name and address pre-printed on the check. Out-of-state checks, money orders from outside the county, and checks without a pre-printed address are rejected at the counter without exception.
Bring a Miami-Dade bank check. This is not negotiable.
The 24-hour notice and execution process
After receiving the Writ, the Sheriff posts a 24-hour notice on the property door. This notice tells the occupant that the Sheriff will return to execute the Writ.
On execution day, the landlord or an authorized representative must be present when the Sheriff arrives. Deputies physically restore possession — meaning the occupant and their belongings are removed from the premises.
The landlord should bring:
· The court judgment
· Proof of ownership or lease
· Boxes or containers for occupant belongings if needed
· A locksmith if planning to change locks immediately
The Sheriff will not wait indefinitely. If the landlord is not present at the scheduled time, the execution may need to be rescheduled.
After execution: abandoned property
Florida Statute § 83.62 addresses property left behind after a Writ is executed. The landlord may remove and store the property, or leave it at the dwelling unit.
If property is stored, the landlord must give the former occupant written notice of where it is stored and that it may be retrieved. After 10 days with no response, the landlord may dispose of the property.
Document everything with photos before and after execution. This protects against claims of missing or damaged property.
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