Protecting Families
§4. Our courts protect families,
 children, the elderly, and the
§    infirm:
§Almost half a million cases filed in our courts involve family, children, the
§   elderly and the infirm
§National leader in family court issues
§More than 18% of Florida’s population is              65 and older
§From 1996 to 2000, judicial reviews of guardianship matters increased by 28%
OUR COURTS HELP PROTECT FAMILIES, CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND THE INFIRM.
ALMOST HALF A MILLION CASES FILED IN OUR COURTS EACH YEAR INVOLVE FAMILY, CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY AND THE INFIRM.
FLORIDA IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN FAMILY COURT MATTERS.   FLORIDA’S UNIFIED FAMILY COURTS PROVIDE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WITH A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO MATTERS BEFORE THE COURTS.
WE ARE NOT ONLY LOOKING AFTER OUR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, BUT ALSO FLORIDA’S ELDERS.  FLORIDA CURRENTLY HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST PROPORTIONS OF OLDER ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES WITH OVER 18% OF THE POPULATION 65 OR OLDER.
THE NUMBER OF GUARDIANSHIP ISSUES ALSO CONTINUE TO GROW.
CLEARLY, ADEQUATELY FUNDED FAMILY AND PROBATE COURTS ARE ESSENTIAL IF OUR STATE IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN PROTECTING CHILDREN, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, AIDING THE ELDERLY AND ASSISTING OTHER VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.