FAMILY SELF HELP
Family law judges preside over domestic relations matters including adoption, alimony, annulment, child custody and visitation, child support, divorce, name changes, paternity, and injunctions involving domestic, repeat, dating and sexual violence. Special proceedings designated by Florida and federal laws that relate to these matters are also assigned to Family Court. The Florida Supreme Court has created forms for use in domestic relations that are available at Florida Courts web site. The links below are actions common in domestic relation cases with frequently used forms.
Check the division procedures your judge has in place for guidelines on setting hearings, submitting documents and more information specific for the judge presiding over your case. If you have questions that a Case Manager can help with, please email ufcHelp@17th.flcourts.org
FAMILY COURT JUDGES
| Kristin R. Kanner Division 37 |
Elaine A. Carbuccia Division 40 |
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| Lauren M. Alperstein Division 35 |
Jessica M. Marra Division 36 |
Lorena M. Mastrarrigo Division 41 |
| Francis Viamontes Division 33 |
Michael Davis Division 38 |
Mariya Weekes Division 44 |
COMMON DOMESTIC RELATION ACTIONS AND FORMS
| Dissolution of Marriage | Paternity | Child Support |
| Modification/Enforcement | Name Changes | Frequently Used Forms |
Commonly referred to as “divorce” proceedings, these cases involve the process of legally ending a marriage between two parties. Common issues in dissolution of marriage proceedings are parental responsibility, equitable distribution (dividing the assets and liabilities acquired during a marriage), alimony, and child support. Below are common forms in dissolution of marriage proceedings provided by the Florida Supreme Court. All of these forms and more can be found at Florida Courts web site.
- Simplified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Answer and Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren)
- Answer to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren)
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Property but No Dependent or Minor Children(ren)
- Answer to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Property but No Dependent or Minor Child(ren)
Mothers are the natural and legal guardians of children born out of wedlock. Paternity actions are legal proceedings seeking to establish the legal rights of a father to children including time-sharing, parenting and child support. Below are common forms in paternity actions provided by the Florida Supreme Court. All of these forms and more can be found at Florida Courts web site.
- Petition to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief
- Answer to Establish Paternity and for Related Relief
- Motion to Scientific Paternity Testing
- Petition to Disestablish Paternity and/or Terminate Child Support Obligation
Florida Statutes requires child support for all domestic relations proceedings involving children. The Department of Revenue may file a child support action in administrative actions separate from domestic relations cases. Below are common forms in child support actions provided by the Florida Supreme Court. All of these forms and more can be found at Florida Courts web site.
- Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
- Supplemental Petition to Modify Child Support
- Motion to Deviate from Child Support Guidelines
An order of the court is required to legally change a name for an adult, minor child or family. Below are common forms in name change actions provided by the Florida Supreme Court. All of these forms and more can be found at Florida Courts web site.
- Petition for Change of Name adult
- Petition for Change of Name Minor Child(ren)
- Consent for Change of Name Minor Child(ren)
Modification proceedings seek to change a final judgment (“final order of the court”) currently in place such as a final judgment of dissolution of marriage or paternity. Commonly, parties seek to change a time-sharing schedule, child support obligation, or alimony obligation. Enforcement proceedings are filed by a party requesting the court to compel or make the other party to obey an order of the court.
- Supplemental Petition to Modify Parental Responsibility, Visitation or Parenting Plan/Time-Sharing Schedule and Other Relief
- Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support
- Supplemental Petition for Modification of Alimony
- Answer to Supplemental Petition
- Supplemental Petition for Relocation
- Answer to Supplemental Petition for Relocation
- Motion for Civil Contempt/Enforcement
The following forms are typically required in many domestic relations cases provided by the Florida Supreme Court. All of these forms and more can be found at Florida Courts web site.
- Family Law Financial Affidavit (Income Under $50,000)
- Family Law Financial Affidavit (Income Over $50,000)
- Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure
- Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Affidavit
- Designation of Current Address and E-mail Address