Clerk & Comptroller, Palm Beach County

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Unified Family Court

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Unified Family Court handles all case types related to family issues. Although information is available about legal processes, you must hire an attorney for legal advice. Unified Family Court Services are available at all four Palm Beach County courthouse locations.

Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases and Instructions - Form 12.928

Self Service Center: Your Guide Through the Courts

The Clerk & Comptroller's Self Service Center offers assistance for those representing themselves in court. Available services include packets of legal forms and instructions that may be purchased; interactive forms for divorce, small claims and evictions; free navigator assistance with form preparation and more.

Some free family law forms are available at www.flcourts.org.

Notice of Confidential Information Within Court Filing

Any court filings made in a Florida court that contain confidential information must be accompanied by a Notice of Confidential Information – a form that lists exemptions to public records laws, including adoption records, Social Security or bank account numbers, HIV test results or information identifying victims of sexual offenses.

Resources for Attorneys and Other Legal Professionals

It is important to include your name, address and telephone number on every document you file with the court.

Adoption

Guidelines for filing a Petition For Adoption.

Child Support

Information on child support payments and enforcement.

Divorce

Information about petitions for dissolution of marriage.

Domestic/Repeat/Sexual/Dating Violence/Stalking

Information about Injunctions for Protection Against Domestic Violence, Repeat Violence, Dating Violence or Sexual Violence.

Juvenile

This office handles juvenile delinquency cases (violations of criminal law) and juvenile dependency cases (cases of child abuse, neglect or abandonment).

Mental Health

Information about mental health case types such as Baker Act, Marchman Act, Adult Protective Services Act and more.

Name Change

Information about Petitions for Change of Name (individual, minor, adult, family), including instructions for the electronic fingerprinting process.

Paternity

Any woman who is pregnant or has a child, any man who has reason to believe that he is the father of a child, or any child may bring proceedings in the circuit court to determine the paternity of the child when paternity has not been established by law or otherwise.

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Contact

(561) 355-6511
Email Us

Fees & Costs

Unified Family Court Fees

FAQs

What is a Time-Sharing Schedule?

This is a time table included in the Parenting Plan that specifies the time, including overnights and holidays that a minor child will spend with each parent. It must be ordered by or approved by the Court.
What is Child Support?

Money paid from one parent to the other for the benefit of their children.
What is a Parenting Plan?

This is a document created to govern the relationship between the parties relating to the decisions that must be made regarding the minor child, ie: the child's care, health, education, physical, social and emotional well-being. It shall include a Time-Sharing Schedule.
Who is the non-custodial parent (also referred to as a non-residential parent, respondent or obligor)?

This is the term used for the parent who does NOT live with the child.
Who is the custodial parent (also referred to as primary residential parent, petitioner or obligee)?

This is the term used for the parent or person who lives with the child.
What is the Florida State Disbursement Unit (SDU)?

The SDU is required by Federal Law to collect and disburse child support payments ordered by the Court.
What is an Income Deduction Order (IDO)?

A court order that instructs the payor’s employer to withhold the child support payment from the payor’s income and forward it to the SDU or directly to the other parent.
How do I find information about adoption?
- Refer to the Florida State Statutes.
- Contact the Department of Children & Family Services at P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042.
- For step parent adoption only, you may call the Self Service Center at (561) 355-7048 or go to any Clerk & Comptroller’s office.
What is the cost to file for adoption?

Stepparent, Relative and Adult Adoptions: $401.00 / Private Adoptions: See A.O. 5.105.
I am adopted. How can I get a copy of the final judgment?

A motion to unseal the case is required for filing, and a re-open fee may apply. If approved, a court order will be entered to allow access to the adoption file.

More FAQs