What Is Family Court in Florida

What is family court in Florida?

In Florida, family law cases are handled by the Circuit Court (Family Law Division). Florida has 67 counties organized into 20 judicial circuits. Each circuit has at least one Circuit Court judge assigned to family law matters.

The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage (divorce), parental responsibility, time-sharing, child support, alimony, and related matters. You file in the circuit where you or your spouse has lived for at least six months before filing.

Florida's 20 judicial circuits

Florida is divided into 20 judicial circuits, each covering one or more counties. The circuit determines which courthouse you file in and which judge handles your case. Some circuits have dedicated family law divisions with assigned judges; smaller circuits may have general circuit judges who handle family cases alongside other civil matters.

Unlike California, where local rules vary significantly by county, Florida uses standardized statewide forms (the 12.900 series) and procedural rules, reducing local variation. E-filing is mandatory statewide through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal for represented parties and strongly encouraged for self-represented litigants.

Types of cases handled

Florida Circuit Court (Family Law Division) handles:

• Dissolution of marriage — Florida is a no-fault state under § 61.052. You only need to show the marriage is irretrievably broken.
• Parental responsibility and time-sharing — who makes major decisions and where the child spends time (governed by § 61.13).
• Child support — calculated under the income shares model in § 61.30.
• Alimony — now governed by the 2023 reform under § 61.08, which eliminated permanent alimony.
• Parenting Plan modifications — post-judgment changes to time-sharing and parental responsibility.
• Paternity — establishing legal parentage for unmarried parents.
• Domestic violence — injunctions for protection (handled on an expedited basis).

No-fault dissolution of marriage

Florida is a pure no-fault state under Florida Statutes § 61.052. To obtain a dissolution of marriage, you do not need to prove wrongdoing by either party. You simply state that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Fault (infidelity, misconduct) is generally not relevant to property division or parental responsibility—though it may be a factor in some alimony determinations.

Parenting Plan: mandatory in every case with minor children

Under Florida Statutes § 61.13001, a Parenting Plan is required in every case involving minor children—whether the parents are married or unmarried. The court will not approve a dissolution or paternity order unless a Parenting Plan is in place.

A Parenting Plan must address:

• The daily schedule for where each child resides
• How parents will share holidays, school breaks, and vacations
• Which parent is responsible for school, healthcare, and extracurricular activities
• A communication protocol between parents
• How disputes about the Parenting Plan will be resolved

Self-represented litigants (“pro se”)

Many people in Florida family court represent themselves. Florida courts use standardized forms specifically designed for self-represented litigants, including the 12.900 series available on the Florida Courts website. Clerks can assist with procedural questions but cannot give legal advice.

Judges apply the same rules to self-represented parties as to attorneys. You are responsible for following court procedures, filing deadlines, and service requirements, even if you do not have a lawyer.

Mandatory mediation

Under Florida Statutes § 44.102, mediation is mandatory in all contested family law cases before the court will set the case for trial. Mediation gives both parties the opportunity to reach a negotiated agreement with the help of a neutral, certified mediator. If mediation resolves all issues, you file a Settlement Agreement and avoid a contested hearing. If it fails, the case proceeds to a judge.

See the full mediation guide for what to expect and how to prepare.