Fill Out Legal Florida Court Forms For Free

In Florida it is rare for either parent to get sole parental responsibility and custody. However, it is not impossible. In order for a court to grant full custody to either parent, the court must determine that shared parental responsibility would be harmful to the children and not in their best interests.

Filing for Parental Responsibility in Florida: 4 Steps Step 1: Complete your family court forms. The forms below have been approved by the Florida Supreme Court for use in any county. ... Step 2: File your family court forms and pay fees. ... Step 3: Serve the other parent. ... Step 4: Wait for the other parent to respond.

After completing the petition and all supporting documents, you must file them with your local clerk of the circuit court. This officially opens the case. Use the FIND A CLERK webpage to find your local clerk of court. You may file petitions or other documents electronically; however, you are not required to do so.

Do Courts favor the mother over the father? Historically, courts have favored mothers with regard to caring for children particularly with children in their ?tender years.? However, Florida courts have abolished the tender years doctrine and the statutes do not favor one parent over the other based on gender.

Your answer must be in writing and must be filed (received) on time with the Clerk of Courts at the Courthouse of the County listed at the top of the Summons (For example, Duval County Courthouse, etc.).

Self-represented litigants can register with the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal, a free service that allows parties to file documents and pleadings online, as well as receive electronic communications from the courts about their cases. You may access the portal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to file documents.