Our Community

Lake County, Florida is one of the premier places to visit or live in, build a life or build a business. Quaint, small towns that retain old-fashioned family values are nestled amongst gently rolling hills, while along the county borders are the glitter of Orlando to thes outh and the serene quiet of the Ocala National Forest to the north.

More than 1,000 lakes glimmer within the county's 1,200 square mile area. Known as a water sports mecca, Lake County has become an Olympics training ground. The delightful year-round climate, with winter temperatures averaging 75 degrees and summer temperatures averaging 90 degrees, has attracted in the USA Triathlon, (the Olympic governing body for the triathlon) to form a special partnership with South Lake County. A 37,000 square foot fitness and training center stands here, and South Lake Hospital's 150-acre campus is becoming one of the leaders in the emerging industry of sports medicine.

Lake County, Florida's population in the year 2,000 was just over 210,000 according to the census. The towns of Eustis and Leesburg each hold over 15,000 people, while Lady Lake, Clermont, Mount Dora and Tavares all average around 10,000.

There are many state, county and city incentives in place to attract new businesses into this premier area. Video producers are thriving here, taking advantage of all the natural beauty surrounding them. Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC)works with Lake County, generating new business investment from international film and television production companies.

Trucking distributors see the huge advantage of Lake County being located in the center of the state, with easy access to Florida's Turnpike and modern highway system. Trucking is deregulated in Florida, allowing the industry to keep prices ten percent lower than elsewhere in the nation. Marriott Distribution Services, Circuit City, Goodyear Tire and Domino's Pizza are all taking advantage of Lake County's ideal locale.

Golf emerges as a thriving industry as well as a way of life for Lake County residents. Eighteen magnificent golf courses now wind their way through the rolling hills and glistening streams of the county. Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort, located in Howey-In-The-Hills,ratesin the top twenty of Florida's legion of courses.

South Lake County residents are within a short drive to all of Orlando and nearby attractions such as Universal Studios, Disney World and Epcot. Sea World lies only 16 miles away, while Silver Springs, Bush Gardens and Daytona Beach are all short side trips.

Lake County, Florida truly has the best of all worlds. Filled with natural beauty and quaint, historic little towns, yet surrounded on all sides by the bright economic future of bustling Florida, Lake County is an ideal place to visit or to live.

If you're heading to court in Lake County, the Florida State Court system includes a two-tiered trial court system. Most jury trials in Florida involve one judge sitting as judge of the circuit court. Circuit Courts are courts of general jurisdiction. Almost all criminal and civil cases, including personal injury, originate at this level. Florida's Constitution provides that "a circuit court shall be established to serve each judicial circuit established by the Legislature," of which there are 20.

The Constitution also establishes a county court in each of Florida's 67 counties. The jurisdiction of county courts extends to civil disputes involving $15,000 or less. Most non-jury trials in Florida take place before one judge sitting as a judge of the county court.

The state's highest appellate court is the Supreme Court, but there are also five district courts of appeal, headquartered in Tallahassee, Lakeland, Miami, West Palm Beach and Daytona Beach. These courts, using three-judge panels, hear most cases appealed from the trial courts.

Florida offers Self-Help Centers and Family Law Forms as well as interpretive services to those with legal problems. A dictionary of common legal terms may also prove helpful.