More than 18,000 people annually passed through the double doors at the top of the Grand Staircase at the Duval County Courthouse the past two years because it was the only place they could get what they needed.
Behind those doors is the Family Court Services department where pro se litigants — people who represent themselves in court without an attorney — can get the guidance they need to navigate areas of family law such as divorce, child custody and visitation, adoption, name changes, paternity and post-judgment domestic violence issues.
On average, about 1,500 people seeking help pass through the doors each month. They come from all walks of life and have one thing in common: Whether based on their income level or their family budget limitations, they can’t afford to retain an attorney, but they have an issue that can be resolved only by the legal system.
“It’s not just indigent people. We’ve seen doctors and nurses and bankers and teachers,” said Chuck Bishop, Family Court Services manager.
The department has 10 case managers who aren’t attorneys, but are trained to evaluate a person’s needs and direct them to online self-help resources that are available through the Access 2 Justice program.
The department provides computers that access about 70 family law documents that must be filed with the court to initiate an action. Litigants fill out the form, print it, sign it and have it notarized free of charge. The litigant then can take the document downstairs and record it at the clerk of courts.
In 2016, more than 5,500 new or post-judgment motions and petitions were filed through Family Court Services.
“We can’t help everyone. Sometimes, a case is too complicated,” Bishop said. “But this is about access to justice.”
After the litigant files the documents, their case manager follows the case until it’s resolved, usually either through mediation or by order of a magistrate.
That can keep a litigant out of circuit court.
“I don’t think we could operate without them. They are invaluable,” said Circuit Judge Hugh Carithers, administrative judge of the Family Law Division.
While helping people handle their legal needs on their own reduces the number of cases on the court docket, the benefit to the public is even more important.
“Anything we can do to resolve a case before a trial is good for the litigants. That’s the primary concern,” Carithers said. “They have a chance to control their lives instead of turning it over to a judge to make a decision.”
Family Court Services is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, so assistance is available an hour before most other departments in the courthouse. That makes it more convenient for people with 9-to-5 jobs. And case managers remain on duty until the reception area is empty.
“We have people waiting for us when we open the doors and if they’re here at 5, we’ll help them,” Bishop said.
(904) 356-2466
Duval County Courthouse Room 2150
Dissolution of marriage/counterpetition
Simplified dissolution of marriage
With dependent or minor child(ren)
Answer to petition and counterpetition
With property but no dependent or minor child(ren)
Answer to petition and counterpetition
With no dependent or minor child(ren) or property
Answer to petition and counterpetition
Paternity and disestablishment of paternity/counterpetition
Petition to disestablish paternity and/or terminate child support obligation
Petition to determine paternity and related relief
Answer to petition and counterpetition
Motion for scientific paternity testing
Petition for support unconnected with dissolution of marriage
Petition for parenting plan/time sharing
Petition for temporary custody
Petition for temporary custody by extended family
Motion to rescind temporary/concurrent custody by extended family
Supplemental (modification) petitions
Supplemental petition to modify parenting plan/time-sharing schedule and other relief
Supplemental petition for modification of child support
Supplemental petition for modification of alimony
Petition for name change(s)
Adoption
Joint petition for adoption by stepparent
Petition for adoption of adult by stepparent
Petition for adoption by relative
Petition for recognition of foreign adoption
Notice of action for adoption of minor child(ren) by a relative
Temporary Support Relocation
Motion for order permitting relocation by agreement
Petition for dissolution of marriage with dependent or minor child(ren) and relocation
Supplemental Petition to Permit Relocation with Minor Child(ren)
Motion for Temporary Order Granting Relocation
Motion for Civil Contempt and/or Return of Child(ren)
Department Of Revenue/Child Support Enforcement motions
Motion for Abatement of Child Support
Motion for Income Withholding Order
Motion to Cease Child Support
Motion to Contest Suspension of Driver’s License
Motion to Contest Suspension of Professional License
Motion to Correct Domestic Relations Depository (DRD) Records
Motion to Establish Child Support Arrears
Motion to Forgive or Give Credit of Arrears
Motion to Lift Bank Levy
Motion to Reinstate Driver’s License
Motion to Request Audit of Child Support Records
Motion to Request for Extension of Child Support
Motion to Vacate Child Support Order and Request New Hearing
Motion to Vacate Judgment/Certificate of Delinquency and Contest Notice of Delinquency
Petition for Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Order
Petition for Superseding Child Support Order
Petition for Superseding Child Support Order with Time Sharing
Emergency Protective Order
Miscellaneous Motions
Answer/Response
Blank Motion
Motion for Civil Contempt/Enforcement
Motion to Enter Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
Motion to Request to Appear by Telephone
Motion Request to Appear by Telephone (Inmate)
Motion to Set Aside Order and Request New Hearing
Motion to Set Aside Order of Dismissal
Motion to Set Hearing
Petition for Delayed Birth Certificate
Request of Alternative Parenting Class
Other forms
Notice of Related Cases
Affidavit of Corroborating Witness
Certificate of Service
Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address
Notice of Voluntary Dismissal
Affidavit of Lost Summons
Affidavit of Non-Compliance
Affidavit of Non-Parentage
Affidavit of Parentage
Other requests
Supplemental Petition for Temporary Modification of Parenting Issues for Child(ren) of Parent Activated, Deployed, or Temporarily Assigned to Military Service
Verified Motion for Temporary Injunction to Prevent Removal of Minor Child(ren) and/or Denial of Passport Services
Motion to Deviate from Child Support Guidelines
Agreement for Relocation with Minor Child(ren)
Petition for Concurrent Custody by Extended Family
Source: 4th Judicial Circuit Family Court Services
