Family Court Case Management
Self-Representation for Family Court Cases in Seminole County
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:
The functions of the Family Court Case Management are governed by Florida Statute 29.004(10) and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.545.
The primary function of the Family Court Case Management is to assist the Judges and Magistrates of the Family Court Division with the efficient case management of the “pro se” family court cases.
“Pro Se” is another term for litigants who represent themselves (self-represented litigants) in a legal proceeding without the aid of an attorney. It is important to understand that choosing to represent yourself means that the Court will expect you to follow the same rules and procedures that an attorney must follow. Therefore, it is still the responsibility of a Pro Se” litigant to be aware of laws and legal rules before appearing in court, as the Judge, Magistrate, Case Managers, Deputy Clerks, or other court personnel are not allowed to give you any legal advice.
Case Management is a procedure used to monitor and move the Family Court Cases through the court system in a timely and efficient manner while ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know about Family Case Management
How to file a Family Case?
You can obtain some of the family law forms adopted by the Florida Supreme Court that you will be required to file in a family law case at: www.flcourts.gov Self Help - Family Law Forms
All completed forms and required documents must be returned to the Clerk of the Court using one of the following three methods:
- The preferred method is electronic filing via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (www.myflcourtaccess.com).
- Delivered in-person to Clerk of the Court located at the Downtown Civil Courthouse, 301 N. Park Ave, Sanford.
- Sent by Mail to Clerk of Court at P.O. Box 8099 Sanford, FL 32772
You must correctly complete, and file all required documents per the corresponding checklists (if applicable) before submitting a Request for Hearing form.
Family Case Checklist
*** REMINDER ***
Before submitting a Request for Hearing Form, you must file and complete all required documents on the corresponding checklist with the Clerk of the Court.
FAMILY LAW FORMS
To help the many litigants who file cases in family courts who are not represented by an attorney (self-represented litigants), and to improve the response of the courts to the self-represented litigants, the Florida Supreme Court has adopted standardized family law forms that can be used by the self-represented litigants to process their family law case. The court adopted forms are identified as Florida Family Law Rules and Procedure Forms, or Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms.
CHECKLIST INSTRUCTIONS
- This Checklist shall be filed in the court file, and must be completed in order for the case to proceed to a final hearing. Completion of the Checklist includes the filing of all required documents and forms listed on the Checklist, and indicating their respective dates of filing.
- All pleadings/forms filed with the Court must be completely filled out. Do not leave anything on the pleadings/forms blank. If a provision does not apply to your case, put “N/A” for “Not Applicable.” Failure to completely fill out all pleadings/forms will constitute a deficiency in the documents required to obtain a final hearing and may result in a delay in the proceedings.
- The Checklist lists the minimum requirements may not be all-inclusive for every case. If you have any questions or concerns about your case, you should consult an attorney. The Checklist and instructions provided herein should not be substituted for legal advice from an attorney.
- All self-represented litigants shall register their email or make use of the portal: https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/default.aspx
- Upon completion and filing of the Checklist, please submit a Request for Hearing or Other Action form below. Failure to complete the Request for Hearing or Other Action form will result in a delay in the proceeding of your case.
Request for Hearing or Other Action
NOTE: If you are trying to communicate with the assigned Judge, do NOT complete this form. Please visit the judge’s directory for contact information. Use this form only when your case and checklist (if applicable) have already been filed and you need assistance. This form is used to:
- Request a hearing/final hearing after completing and filing all necessary documents/forms/checklist (if applicable),
- Notify the case manager that you have filed additional documents, or
- Seek information about procedural matters
- Scheduling a return hearing before the General Magistrate
Please avoid making the following common mistakes when completing the form.
- Using this form to change your address. Case managers cannot update your address for you. Please file your changes of address with the Clerk of the Court.
- Do not use this form to file a motion or pleading. All requests of the court must be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
- Do not use this form to request legal advice. Case Managers cannot provide legal assistance. If you have any questions or concerns about your case, you should consult an attorney.
Due to increases in caseloads and the Court’s improved responsiveness and accountability, most business will be conducted by email. You must complete the following form to obtain assistance on an open case. You must submit a separate request each time you request assistance from the Case Management office. You will receive a response as soon as possible but definitely within 7 business days by email/phone. Please check your spam/junk folders in addition to your inbox in case our response to you has been sent there by your computer program.
To submit a Request for Hearing or Other Action Form please choose the case type below:
NOTE: This form cannot be used for Department of Revenue Cases or used when the relief sought from the court involves child support and the Department of Revenue is involved as the enforcement agency. Please contact the Department of Revenue or the Hearing Officer involved.
- For Name Change or Adoption Hearing Request or Other Action click here
- For all other Family Cases click here
QR codes give you quick access to websites without having to type or remember a web address. You can use the Camera app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to scan a QR code.
How to scan a QR code
- Open the Camera app from the Home screen, Control Center, or Lock screen.
- Select camera.
- Hold your device so that the QR code appears in the viewfinder in the Camera app. Your device recognizes the QR code and shows a notification.
- Tap the notification to open the link associated with the QR code.
Seminole Clerk of Court
The Dorothy Guess Self Help Center, run by the Seminole Clerk of Court, is designed to offer self-represented parties (pro-se parties) resources and ministerial assistance for small claims, landlord tenant evictions, family law and probate estate cases (formal and summary administration only).
They also offer through the Self-Help Center, low-cost attorney consultation appointments for the above mentioned cases. Please see below for more detailed information.
Family Law Forms
The Florida State Courts System's Self-Help Center is your online guide to help direct you through the court system. The role of the self-help center staff is to direct interested individuals to the self-help website where they can explore resources needed to represent themselves, access the courts, and other essential resources. Self-Help staff cannot provide legal interpretations or advice. The self-help website includes family law forms approved by the Florida Supreme Court. Additional resources include a directory of local self-help centers, web links to free and low cost legal aid, mediator search capabilities, and guardianship resources.
Florida Courts Help available at the touch of a screen:
For constituents, customers, or callers seeking help with family law cases – divorce, adoption, name change, custody, order of protection, and much more – there is now a one-stop source for lots of information aimed at self-represented people. Florida Courts Help is available at app stores as well as online at help.flcourts.gov.
