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Thursday, August 18, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions for Unified Children's Court

 

QHow can I, as a litigant or an attorney, refer a case to the Unified Children’s Court?
A
Administrative Order #17-8 establishes procedures for the Unified Children’s Court Division within the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. A potential related case matter may be referred to the UCC Division by completing and sending the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida Related Case Information Sheet, or by telephone, fax, or e-mail.  If a matter qualifies for transfer to UCC Division, an Order of Reassignment/Transfer will be issued, and the parties will be noticed to appear for hearing before the newly designated UCC Judge.  For questions, contact UCC Division Operations at (305) 679-1660.
 
Administrative Order No. 17-08
QWhat types of matters qualify to be heard by the Unified Children’s Court?
A
A matter may qualify to be heard by the UCC Division when two or more open related Family, Juvenile Dependency, Juvenile Delinquency, and/or Domestic Violence Injunction cases are pending simultaneously involving any of the same parties, children, or issues. 
 
For Domestic Violence Injunction cases that are filed, where there is a related, open Family case, both cases will be heard before the Family Division Judge at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center. 
 
For Domestic Violence Injunction cases that are filed, where there is a related, open Juvenile Dependency or Delinquency case, both cases will be heard before the presiding UCC Dependency or Delinquency Judge. 
 
For Domestic Violence Injunction cases that are filed, where there is a related, open Family case and a related, open Juvenile Dependency and/or Delinquency case(s), all cases will be heard before the presiding UCC Family Judge.
QWhat types of Related Cases fall under the jurisdiction of the UCC?
• Dissolution of marriage 
• Division & distribution of property arising out of dissolution of marriage 
• Annulment 
• Support unconnected with dissolution of marriage
• Paternity, including, but not limited to, disestablishment of paternity
• Child support
• Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act/ Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (URESA/UIFSA)
• Custodial care of and access to children, including, but not limited to, relocation and temporary or concurrent custody of minor children by extended family
• Adoption 
• Name change
• Declaratory judgment actions related to premarital, marital, or post marital  agreements
• Civil domestic, repeat, dating, stalking and sexual violence injunctions
• Juvenile dependency
• Termination of parental rights
• Juvenile delinquency
• Emancipation of a minor
• Children in Need of Services/ Families in Need of Services (CINS/FINS)
• Truancy
• Modification and enforcement of orders entered in these cases
QDoes the Administrative Order provide for coordination of cases that are not transferred into UCC?
A

Yes. The Administrative Order provides for coordination of matters where there is an open related pending with a related closed case in multiple jurisdictions of the court. In this instance, the assigned judges may share case information to avoid the entry of conflicting orders and duplication of resources and services.

 

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