In 2024, Florida passed a new law (Section 82.036) creating a fast, no-lawsuit process for removing true squatters. But if you're trying to remove a family member, ex-partner, or friend who was once welcome in your home — this new law almost certainly does not apply to you.
Quick answer: If the person was ever invited or given permission to be there — even informally — you need an Unlawful Detainer filing under Chapter 82, not the new squatter removal process.
This faster process, sometimes called the "squatter removal law," lets a property owner ask the Sheriff to remove someone within days, without filing a lawsuit — but only when strict conditions are met:
The new law is built specifically for true strangers — someone who broke in or entered without ever having permission. If you let your adult child, ex-partner, or a friend stay with you and they simply won't leave, that's a fundamentally different legal situation, because they had your permission at some point. The law treats these as different problems on purpose.
| Situation | Correct Process |
|---|---|
| Stranger who broke in, never had permission | Sheriff removal (§82.036) — no lawsuit needed |
| Family member, ex-partner, or friend who was invited but won't leave | Unlawful Detainer (Chapter 82) — county court filing |
| Tenant with a lease or rent agreement | Standard Eviction (Chapter 83) |
If you've seen headlines about Florida's new squatter law and wondered whether it applies to your situation with a family member or former guest — it likely doesn't. Unlawful Detainer remains the correct, and only, legal path for that specific situation.
Request a Callback →Your Solution Partner prepares Unlawful Detainer filings for exactly this situation, starting at $99.