Family

The Family Division hears cases concerning dissolutions of marriage, child custody and support, adoptions, paternity, modification proceedings, name changes, URESA (interstate child support enforcement), and domestic violence permanent injunction cases where there is an open family court action. The judges and support personnel are located at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center. The Family Division is located at 175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami Florida 33128. For further information please call 305-349-5561. Hours of Operation 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, excluding Holidays.

Motions should be filed with the Family Division Clerk of Courts, L.E.T. Courthouse Center, 175 N.W. 1st Ave., 12th floor, seven (7) days prior to the motion calendar date in order for the motion to be set on calendar. Courtesy copies should be delivered to the judge’s chambers upon filing of the motion.

Transfer Calendars occur twice monthly on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m., Courtroom 28C, L.E.T. Courthouse Center.

Programs and Services

eFiling Portal for Self-Represented Litigants

Self-Represented Litigants (SRL) have the option to use the eFiling Portal to submit documents and filings with the court.

Family Court Services

Family Court Services helps parents resolve issues together and also makes referrals to needed community services.

Family Division Case Management Unit

The Family Division Case Management Unit was developed in response to the Family Court judges’ need for support with their voluminous caseloads and increasing number of self-represented litigants filing.

Family Court Self Help Program

The purpose of a self-help program is to assist self represented litigants, within the bounds of this rule, to achieve fair and efficient resolution of their family law case.

Social Investigation Program

This Unit coordinates, monitors and assigns cases to consultants who perform home studies/social investigations and make recommendations.

Child Support Enforcement

Child Support Enforcement Division helps when a parent or guardian has custody of a child and the other parent does not provide financial support.

Parenting Coordinators

Parenting Coordinators are court-ordered to high conflict cases to help parties create parenting plans and resolve child-related disputes.

Divorce Education Program For Parents

This required program by the courts helps parents and their children adjust with the changes that come with divorce.

Court Care

Court Care provides a safe and supervised drop-in childcare facility for children who must be in court in connection with matters involving the children or their parents or guardian.

Mediation

Mediation is a service provided by the courts that allows litigants to solve their disputes without having to go to trial.

Department of Translation and Interpretation

Court Interpreters interpret and translate verbal and written communications from a non-English to English language in court proceedings.

General Magistrates

General magistrates are widely utilized in Florida's trial courts to assist the judiciary in the effective and timely disposition of cases.