Getting Started
The forms are listed numerically according to the section of Florida Rules of Court that pertains to family law, which is section 12. Therefore, all the forms have a number 12 prefix. Dates on the forms indicate the Supreme Court's effective date for the particular rule or form. (If forms appear on the page, they are current and approved by the Supreme Court.)
Getting Started: What Do I Do Now?
Step 1: Read General Form Information & Instructions
You should read the General Information thoroughly before taking any other steps to file your case or represent yourself in court. Most of this information is NOT repeated in the forms listed below.
This information should provide you with an overview of the court system, its participants, and its processes. It should be useful whether you want to represent yourself in a pending matter or have a better understanding of the way family court works. A glossary of family law terms is also included.
READ THESE FORMS FIRST:
- General Information for Self-Represented Litigants - 02/2018
RTF / PDF
- Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status - 11/01/07
RTF / PDF
Step 2: Review Florida Statutes and Rules of Court
These forms should be used in conjuction with the Florida Statutes and the Rules of Procedure. These resources are fundamental to your case. Please take time to review them as they provide additional information and forms you may need.
For Example: Looking for a form to use to request to appear by phone? Review the Rules of Judicial Administration for help.
- Florida Rules of Court Procedure (Florida Bar)
(Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules of Family Law, Florida Rules of Judicial Administration) - Florida Statutes and Laws
Step 3: Determine the Form You Need for Your Case
Read the instructions on the first page of each form to determine if that is the form you will need.
Step 4: Determine What Other Forms You Will Need to File
The instructions to the form, Petition, Supplemental (modification) Petition, or Answer in your case will list the other forms you will need to file.
Step 5: Complete the Forms and File Them In the Appropriate Office
Complete each of the forms you are required to file, by hand, through the available fillable PDF, or via DIY Florida interview process and file the forms in the Clerk of Court's office in the appropriate county or electronically through the E-Portal. Follow the instructions to your forms or interviews. They explain how to have the other party served (not required in all cases), to make copies of your forms before they are filed, etc.
If you would like to learn more about DIY Florida and possibly use the interview questions to assist you in completing the family law forms visit the Florida Courts DIY Florida website.
If you have further questions about how to have the other party served, the forms filed, etc, you may contact the Clerk's Office to answer those questions.
What If I Still Need Help?
If you still need help, contact the Florida State Courts System's Self-Help Center at selfhelp@swissabc.net or call (850) 921-0004 if you have a question about any of the following:
- Cannot find the form you need
- Have difficulty downloading the form
- Have a DISABILITY and cannot use the form in its current state
NOTE: The Florida State Courts System's Self-Help Center pages do NOT list all forms for every situation. If you need a form that is NOT listed, you will need to review other resources or prepare your own motion. To do this you will need to either consult the statutes and rules listed in these pages or seek the advice of an attorney regarding what information should be included in the motion.