ADOPTIONS – Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts

2023 Admin Order 23-29 Amended

Web Manager — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 17:45:47 +0000

EXCERPT: “The following administrative orders are hereby rescinded: SUPERSEDED 23-29; 04-10-S: Reassignment of Cases to Judge Donna L. McIntosh;
05-06-S Reassignment of Cases Assign to Judge Donna McIntosh; 18-34-S Reassignment of Cases Assigned to Judge Debra Steinburg Nelson; 18-36-S Reassignment of Cases Assigned to Judge Donna McIntosh; 21-29-S: Reassignments for Judge Jessica Recksiedler Division L; 23-21-B SUPERSEDES 16-42-B: In Re: – Adoptions – Criminal Checks.”

2022 Admin Order 22-24-s

Web Manager — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:24:54 +0000

EXCERPT: “WHEREAS, the Court recognizes that Section 63.162(2), Florida Statutes, provides that all papers and records pertaining to an adoption are confidential and subject to inspection only upon order of the Court; and
WHEREAS, the Court recognizes that Section 39.814(3), Florida Statutes, also provides that court records relating to certain proceedings relating to children shall not be open to inspection by the public; and
WHEREAS, the Court also recognizes that Section 28.29, Florida Statutes, requires the Clerk of the Circuit Court (“Clerk”) to record all final judgments of civil actions in the official records, but the recording of a final judgment of adoption in the official records would frustrate the confidentiality provisions of Section 63.162(2), Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Court also recognizes the need for direction to the Clerk in this area, and for the efficient and proper administration of justice in this county;
IT IS ORDERED that:
1. Unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge in an adoption proceeding, the Clerk shall not release final judgments in those matters from the court file for recording in the official records.
2. All other provisions of Sections 63.162(2) and 39.814(3), Florida Statutes, concerning access to court files in these types of proceedings shall be followed by the Clerk.
3. This Administrative Order shall have immediate effect.
DONE AND ORDERED this 17th day of October 2022.”

1983 Admin Order 83-1-b

Web Manager — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 21:26:31 +0000

Having been advised of the fact that certain investigative reports and other instruments relating to adoptions are occasionally filed subsequent to the entry of the Final Judgment after the court files have been sealed, the court is of the opinion that it is necessary to preserve the confidentiality of such proceedings pursuant to Chapter 63 Section 162 – 2024 Florida Statutes; it is therefore ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the following persons, to wit:

Michael Karas, Civil Law Coordinator
Patricia Smith, Civil Law Supervisor
Loraine Harrison, Family Law Supervisor,
or their successors,

as employees of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Brevard County, Florida, are authorized to insert into each appropriate court file any and all loose pleadings relating to an adoptive proceeding requiring such action and then reseal, sign, and note the date when this function is performed.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Rockledge, Florida, this 13th day of January 1983.

2013 Admin Order 13-36-b

Web Manager — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 21:06:06 +0000

It is hereby Ordered that; In an adoption case under Chapter 63 Florida Statutes, if a termination of parental rights is contested, then the case will be reassigned to the Circuit Court Dependency Division.

DONE AND ORDERED this 22nd day of August 2013.

2012 Admin Order 12-17-b

Web Manager — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 21:04:24 +0000

WHEREAS, in proceedings seeking an adoption under Chapter 63 of the Florida Statutes, if an unmarried biological father desires to contest the adoption plan, he must provide to the adoption entity (defined by Section 63.032(3) Florida Statutes) a copy of the verified response filed with the court as well as the claim of paternity filed with the Office of Vital Statistics.

NOW THEREFORE, in any petition for adoption, there must be a certification by the petitioner whether or not the unmarried biological father has provided a copy of a verified response filed with the court as well as the claim of paternity filed with the Office of Vital Statistics to the adoption entity.

Done and Ordered this 20th day of June 2012.