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Unified Family Court

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Unified Family Court handles all case types related to family issues. Although information is available about legal processes, you must hire an attorney for legal advice. Unified Family Court Services are available at all four Palm Beach County courthouse locations.

Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases and Instructions - Form 12.928 (www.flcourts.gov)

Check the status of your Family case with the 15^th Judicial Circuit’s case inquiry system.

Self Service Center: Your Guide Through the Courts

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Self Service Center offers assistance for those representing themselves in court. Available services include legal forms and instructions; free navigator assistance with form preparation and more.

Some free family law forms are available at www.flcourts.gov.

Notice of Confidential Information Within Court Filing

Any court filings made in a Florida court that contain confidential information must be accompanied by a Notice of Confidential Information – a form that lists exemptions to public records laws, including adoption records, Social Security or bank account numbers, HIV test results or information identifying victims of sexual offenses.

Resources for Attorneys and Other Legal Professionals

It is important to include your name, address and telephone number on every document you file with the court.

Publication

The Clerk’s office does not forward Notices of Action and Notices to Creditors for non-indigent parties to a newspaper for publication. Once the Clerk issues your Notice of Action, you are responsible for arranging service with a newspaper of general circulation in Palm Beach County.

The newspaper must have a print circulation. Once you receive the proof of publication from the newspaper, you must file the proof with the Clerk’s office in order for your case to proceed.

Pay Mediation Fees for Family Cases

Mandatory mediation fees for county cases may be paid online, by mail or in-person at any one of our four courthouse locations.

Learn more about paying mediation fees for family cases.

Suggestion of Bankruptcy

When filing a Suggestion of Bankruptcy over the counter, a Notice of Filing must be included.

Adoption

Guidelines for filing a Petition For Adoption.

Child Support

Information on child support payments and enforcement.

Divorce

Information about petitions for dissolution of marriage.

Prepare Divorce Forms Online
Parent Education & Family Stabilization Course Provider List (Florida Department of Children & Families)
Collaborative Divorce: Learn about this cooperative and private divorce process.

Domestic/Repeat/Sexual/Dating Violence/Stalking

Information about Injunctions for Protection Against Domestic Violence, Repeat Violence, Dating Violence or Sexual Violence.

Juvenile

This office handles juvenile delinquency cases (violations of criminal law) and juvenile dependency cases (cases of child abuse, neglect or abandonment). The juvenile office also handles cases involving termination of pregnancy of a minor (Parental Notice of Abortion Act) and Petitions For Judicial Waiver of Parental Notice of Termination of Pregnancy.

Mental Health

Information about mental health case types such as Baker Act, Marchman Act, Adult Protective Services Act and more.

Name Change

Information about Petitions for Change of Name (individual, minor, adult, family), including instructions for the electronic fingerprinting process.

Paternity

Any woman who is pregnant or has a child, any man who has reason to believe that he is the father of a child, or any child may bring proceedings in the circuit court to determine the paternity of the child when paternity has not been established by law or otherwise.

Court Registry

The Court Registry holds funds deposited with the Clerk while a legal action is pending with the Court.

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Contact

(561) 355-6511
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Fees & Costs

Unified Family Court Fees

FAQs

What is a Time-Sharing Schedule?

This is a time table included in the Parenting Plan that specifies the time, including overnights and holidays that a minor child will spend with each parent. It must be ordered by or approved by the Court.
What is Child Support?

Money paid from one parent to the other for the benefit of their children.
What is a Parenting Plan?

This is a document created to govern the relationship between the parties relating to the decisions that must be made regarding the minor child, ie: the child's care, health, education, physical, social and emotional well-being. It shall include a Time-Sharing Schedule.
Who is the non-custodial parent (also referred to as a non-residential parent, respondent or obligor)?

This is the term used for the parent who does NOT live with the child.
Who is the custodial parent (also referred to as primary residential parent, petitioner or obligee)?

This is the term used for the parent or person who lives with the child.
What is the Florida State Disbursement Unit (SDU)?

The SDU is required by Federal Law to collect and disburse child support payments ordered by the Court.
What is an Income Deduction Order (IDO)?

A court order that instructs the payor’s employer to withhold the child support payment from the payor’s income and forward it to the SDU or directly to the other parent.

More FAQs

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County

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