Projects and Publications

The Family Law Advisory Group (FLAG) documented many of the advancements being made in family courts. The Group also catalogued best practices for Unified Family Courts, and discussed various issues that impacted the family courts. This documentation resulted in two compendiums, which were distributed throughout the state. The compendiums provide detailed information on various activities in which stakeholders participated.

The 2007 Compendium of Family Court Practices PDF RTF

The 2006 Compendium of Family Court Practices PDF

The Florida Supreme Court commissioned a Steering Committee of Families and Children in the Court. This Committee produced several reports at the end of the committee’s terms; these reports detailed the various matters the committee had been charged to review. These reports have been extremely helpful to family courts, drawing attention to areas where impediments exist to a smooth court operation and providing useful corrective measures.

The 2008 - 2010 Steering Committee on Families and Children in the Court Report PDF RTF

The 2006 - 2008 Steering Committee on Families and Children in the Court Report PDF RTF

The 2009 Florida’s Family Court Toolkit I PDF RTF

In February 2009 the Steering Committee on Families and Children in the Court promulgated a Toolkit designed to assist judges and staff in responding effectively and efficiently to the judicial needs of Florida’s families. The first volume begins by presenting the guiding principles of a Model Family Court; it then provides comprehensive information on case management for various types of cases, identification and processing of crossover cases, and the Family Law Advisory Group and the benefits such groups can provide to a Family Court.

The 2009 Florida’s Family Court Toolkit II PDF RTF

The second volume of the Toolkit is designed to provide a discussion of the more advanced issues regarding family courts. This volume details issues such as coordination versus consolidation, differing burdens of proof in various coordinated cases, judicial communication, and the establishment of child support obligations. This is meant to supplement the first volume of the Toolkit.

Unified Family Court Brochure PDF

The Office of Court Improvement created a brochure that highlighted the history of Unified Family Courts, its essential components, and reasons for using a unified family court approach.

What, Where, Why, and How PDF

This document, created in 2003, provides a basis for the Unified Family Court initiative. This historical narrative discusses the history of Unified Family Courts, and steps that had been taken leading up to 2003.

Unified Family Court Sample Administrative Order PDF

The Unified Family Court Sample Administrative Order can be used by circuits desiring to establish a unified family court division. The sample order details what will be required of a unified family court division, and how the circuit can anticipate a successful enactment of the new division.

A Model Family Court for Florida PDF

In 2000 the Family Court Steering Committee developed and produced a document detailing the initial initiative to create a Unified Family Court model in Florida. This document discusses the Committee’s recommendations for establishing a Unified Family Court, along with a commentary devoted to in-depth discussion of each recommendation, and the requirements for any successful Unified Family Court. This guide was the foundation for the Unified Family Court initiative.

A Crisis Carol is a video that was created by the Office of Court Improvement and shown during the opening plenary of the 2004 Family Court Conference, "A Vision without Division." The video tells the story of a stubborn judge who is shown the benefits of a unified family court system and slowly begins to embrace its concepts.

low speed / dialup internet connection version

high speed / broadband internet version

These videos require Windows Media Player. For a free download of Windows Media Player, visit the following website : http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx