Family Court in Florida
Family Court Purpose
Florida’s Family Court uses a fully integrated, comprehensive approach to handling all cases involving children and families, while at the same time resolving family disputes in a fair, timely, efficient, and cost effective manner.
The Florida Supreme Court has recognized that families should be able to have all of their disputes resolved in the most effective and efficient way possible. Court cases involving one family are handled before one judge unless impractical. Since 1991, a series of Florida Supreme Court opinions have been instrumental in shaping family courts throughout the state. Click the links below to view the full versions of the opinions.
In re: Report of the Commission on Family Courts, 588 So. 2d 586 (Fla. 1991)(“Family Courts I”)
In re: Report of the Commission on Family Courts, 633 So. 2d 14, 16 (Fla. 1994)(“Family Courts II”)
In re: Report of the Family Court Steering Committee, 794 So. 2d 518 (Fla. 2001)(“Family Courts IV”)
In re: Amendments to Fla. Rules of Judicial Admin., 132 So. 3d 1114 (2014)
Family court is comprised of many different case types as listed in the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, Rule 2.545. See the list below.
Family Court Jurisdiction
- dissolution of marriage
- annulment
- support unconnected with dissolution of marriage
- paternity
- child support
- UIFSA
- custodial care of and access to children
- proceedings for temporary or concurrent custody of minor children by extended family
- adoption
- name change
- declaratory judgment actions related to premarital, marital [marital], or post marital agreements
- civil domestic, repeat violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual violence injunctions
- juvenile delinquency
- termination of parental rights
- juvenile dependency
- emancipation of a minor
- CINS / FINS
- truancy
- modifications and enforcement of orders
Family Court Tool Kits
Several Florida Supreme Court steering committees and the Office of Family Courts have developed three Judicial Tool Kits. The first tool kit covers "the basics" of family court. The second addresses legal issues that occur while coordinating related cases. The most recent tool kit, developed in 2015, provides information about child development and trauma.