24-14, SUPERSEDES 23-16 AMENDED RE: DOMESTIC RELATIONS - FAMILY DIVISION - MODEL FAMILY COURT - ORDERED 3/05/2024 BY CHARLES G. CRAWFORD
EXCERPT: “WHEREAS the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit is committed to developing a fully integrated, comprehensive approach to handling all cases involving children and families; WHEREAS, the Florida Supreme Court has adopted the following guiding principles as a foundation for defining and implementing a model family court; Children should live in safe and permanent homes; The needs and best interests of children should be the primary consideration of any family court; All persons, whether children or adults, should be treated with objectivity, sensitivity, dignity and respect; Cases involving inter-related family law issues should be consolidated or coordinated to maximize use of court resources to avoid conflicting decisions and to minimize inconvenience to the families; Family court processes should attempt to address the family’s interrelated legal and non-legal problems, empower families through skills development, assist them to resolve their own disputes, provide access to appropriate services, and offer a variety of dispute resolution forums where the family can resolve problems without additional emotional trauma; Whenever possible, parties and their attorneys should be empowered to select processes for addressing issues in their cases that are compatible with the family’s needs, financial circumstances, and legal requirements; The court is responsible for managing its cases with due consideration of the needs of the family, the litigants, and the issues presented by the case; (Open AO for more information.)”
Additional Information:
- In re Report of the Commission on Family Courts, 633 So.2d 14, 17 (Fla. 1994).
- In re Report of the Family Court Steering Committee, 794 So.2d 518, 522 (Fla. 2001)
- In re Report of the Family Court Steering Committee, 794 So.2d 518, 525 (Fla. 2001)
- Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 2.050(b)(5)
- Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Rule 12.750, 12.740 and 12.741
- Florida Juvenile Rules of Procedure 8.290
- Florida Statutes Sections 39.4075, 44.102, 61.21
- Supersedes 23-16 and 23-16 Amended