~Family Court~










The Circuit Court Family Civil Division has Jurisdiction of Domestic Relation Matters

Divorces ~  

Some of the biggest decisions arise when there are children. Florida has several different processes for dissolution of marriage, depending on the couple's specific circumstances. If there are no children, and no property to divide, the couple may be able to use Florida's simplified process. 

Some couples want or need a Marital Settlement Agreement to settle and memorialize how their debts property are to be divided. A marital settlement agreement is usually signed by both parties, and once the divorce is final it becomes part of the final order. 

Paternity ~ 

A Florida paternity action is essential for unwed parents.  All too often, unwed fathers are ordered to pay support with no mechanism for time-sharing (child visitation). A Petition to Determine Paternity and Related Relief, is like a divorce for couples who have a child together but were never married. 

Filing this does not mean that the Father's paternity is in question, it is simply the name of the process. Along with the petition documents it is good practice to also file a proposed Parenting Plan to offer a starting point for court ordered timesharing. 

The needs of the children should always be held highest when a couple divorces. Florida requires both parents to complete a four hour parenting class. 

If you have been served with a Petition for Child Support and Other Relief, you need to file your answer within the allotted time (generally 20 calendar days). This type of petition is almost always generated with the help of the Department of Revenue (DOR), filed in behalf of the custodial parent.  When married parents divorce, child support calculations are almost always part of the process. Not so with parents who were never married.

Dissolution or 

Paternity Actions

Without Parenting Plan $500

With Parenting Plan       $600

 Parenting Plan Only $200  

Child Support Petitions $300

Modifications to 

Existing Orders

With Parenting Plan $600

Without Parenting Plan $500

Answers ~ 

Miscellaneous Forms ~$300

Document preparation for family law answers such as:

Answer to Dissolution of Marriage 

Answer to Supplemental Petitions

Answer to Complaint for Child Support

Motions for Civil Contempt/ Enforcement

Simplified Dissolution ~ $600

The main difference between the Simplified Dissolution and a regular Dissolution is that in the simplified dissolution process, both parties must appear at the final hearing. If one or the other is unable or unwilling to appear at the final hearing, then a simplified dissolution is the wrong choice. 

Purchase Services for Dissolution or Paternity Actions 

Adoption ~ $400

Document Preparation for a Stepparent, Grandparent, or other Family Adoption. 

Purchase Services for Adoptions

Reviewing the Disclosure, Disclaimer & Terms of Service is a pre-requisite to entering the payments page.  By proceeding to the payments page, you are indicating you have reviewed the Disclosure and the Disclaimer, and you agree to the Terms of Service.   

Name Change ~ $300

The process for obtaining a name change for an adult begins with the filing of a Petition with the Circuit Court in the jurisdiction in which the Petitioner resides. The Petitioner must file an official set of his/her fingerprints when (s)he files his/her Petition, except where a former name is being restored. 

Florida law requires certain things before you can file for a name change (for an adult) and/or during the name change process in Florida. These requirements include:


Purchase Services for Name Change

Reviewing the Disclosure, Disclaimer & Terms of Service is a pre-requisite to entering the payments page.  By proceeding to the payments page, you are indicating you have reviewed the Disclosure and the Disclaimer, and you agree to the Terms of Service.