Court mediation programs for custody and timesharing disputes in Florida. Florida Supreme Court certified mediators help parents reach agreements on parenting plans without going to trial. Required in most family cases before a final hearing. Reduced fees available for families with combined income under
00,000. Contact your local courthouse or your circuit's mediation program for scheduling and fee information.
Varies by circuit — contact your local courthouse · Visit Website
11. 11th Circuit Pro Bono / Legal Assistance (Miami-Dade) — Free
The Put Something Back Pro Bono Project provides free legal assistance for qualifying low-income parents in Miami-Dade County family court. This joint project of the 11th Judicial Circuit, Dade Legal Aid, and the Dade County Bar Association connects eligible parents with volunteer attorneys. Located at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse, 175 NW 1st Ave. Call (305) 349-7800 to inquire about the current clinic schedule and eligibility.
(305) 349-7800 · Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse, 175 NW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33128 · Mon-Fri, call for clinic schedule · Visit Website
12. Palm Beach County Family Court Self-Help Center — Free
Free walk-in assistance for parents representing themselves in custody, timesharing, and parenting plan cases in Palm Beach County (15th Judicial Circuit). Staff help complete and file family law forms. Located at 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Open Mon-Fri 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (561) 355-2963 to confirm hours before visiting. No appointment needed for basic form assistance.
(561) 355-2963 · 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
13. Pinellas County Family Court Self-Help — Free
Free self-help center for unrepresented parents in custody and family law cases in the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area (6th Judicial Circuit). Helps with parenting plans, timesharing petitions, and modification filings. Located at 545 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 582-7200 for current walk-in hours before visiting. Staff assist with completing family law forms but cannot provide legal representation or formal legal advice.
(727) 582-7200 · 545 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 · Mon-Fri, call for hours · Visit Website
14. Lee County Family Court Self-Help (Fort Myers) — Free
Free walk-in self-help for parents handling custody and family law cases in Lee County (20th Judicial Circuit). Assists with parenting plans, timesharing schedules, and modification petitions. Located at 1700 Monroe St, Fort Myers. Call (239) 533-1723 for current walk-in hours before visiting. Staff help complete and review Florida family law forms. Bring all existing court orders and case numbers when visiting the center.
(239) 533-1723 · 1700 Monroe St, Fort Myers, FL 33901 · Mon-Fri, call for walk-in hours · Visit Website
15. Polk County Family Court Self-Help (Lakeland) — Free
Free self-help center assisting parents with custody, parenting plan, and timesharing cases in Polk County (10th Judicial Circuit). Walk-in assistance with completing court forms and understanding filing procedures. Located at 255 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL. Open Mon-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM. Call (863) 534-4000 to confirm availability. Bring all existing case documents and court order numbers when visiting the self-help center.
(863) 534-4000 · 255 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
16. Volusia County Family Court Self-Help (Daytona Beach) — Free
Free walk-in assistance for parents in family law cases in Volusia County (7th Judicial Circuit). Helps with completing and filing custody, timesharing, and parenting plan forms. Located at 101 N Alabama Ave, DeLand, FL 32724. Call (386) 943-7079 for current walk-in hours before visiting. Staff help with form preparation but cannot give legal advice. Bring all existing court orders and your case number to the visit.
(386) 943-7079 · 101 N Alabama Ave, DeLand, FL 32724 · Mon-Fri, call for hours · Visit Website
17. Seminole County Family Court Self-Help (Sanford) — Free
Free self-help center for parents handling custody and family law cases in Seminole County (18th Judicial Circuit). Provides walk-in form assistance and referrals to legal aid and community services. Located at 101 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773. Open Mon-Fri 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (407) 665-4227 to confirm hours. Bring existing case documents and court orders when visiting. No legal advice given, only form completion help.
(407) 665-4227 · 101 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
18. Escambia County Family Court Self-Help (Pensacola) — Free
Free walk-in self-help center for parents in the Pensacola area assisting with custody, parenting plan, and timesharing cases in Escambia County (1st Judicial Circuit). Located at 190 Governmental Center, Pensacola, FL 32502. Call (850) 595-4310 for current walk-in hours before visiting. Staff help complete family law forms and explain filing procedures. Bring all existing court orders and your case number to the visit.
(850) 595-4310 · 190 Governmental Center, Pensacola, FL 32502 · Mon-Fri, call for hours · Visit Website
19. Florida Guardian ad Litem Program — Free
Statewide program providing court-appointed advocates (GALs) for children in custody and dependency cases across Florida. GALs investigate and recommend what is in the child's best interest. Fathers can request a GAL be appointed in contested custody cases. Call (850) 922-7213 or visit guardianadlitem.org. Volunteers are also needed statewide. Tallahassee headquarters with offices in each Florida county.
(850) 922-7213 · Tallahassee, FL (statewide offices) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
20. Florida Supervised Visitation Network — Free
Statewide network of supervised visitation centers where court-ordered monitored visits occur in a safe, neutral setting across Florida. Contact your local courthouse or search the Florida Supervised Visitation Network for centers near you. Locations across multiple counties. Centers follow national standards for supervised visitation. Visit flcourts.gov to find a center in your area or ask your family court judge for a referral.
Statewide — multiple county locations · Varies by location · Visit Website
Custody & Visitation — Common Questions
- Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?
- No. Every state has self-represented (pro se) filing options, and most county courthouses have a Family Law Facilitator or Self-Help Center that provides forms and guidance at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if the case is contested, involves abuse allegations, or requires relocation or interstate issues.
- How is 'best interest of the child' actually decided?
- Judges weigh factors including each parent's ability to provide stability, the child's relationship with each parent, any history of violence or substance abuse, the child's preference (usually after a certain age), work schedules, and each parent's willingness to support the other's relationship with the child. Specific factors are listed in each state's custody statute.
- Can I get 50/50 custody as a father?
- Yes. Most states now have a presumption of — or strong preference for — joint legal and joint physical custody when both parents are fit and engaged. Fathers who show consistent involvement, stable housing, and willingness to coordinate with the mother have strong odds of receiving substantial parenting time, up to 50/50.
- What if my ex violates the custody order?
- File a Motion for Contempt or a Motion to Enforce with the court. Document every missed exchange, refused visit, or violation with dates, times, messages, and witnesses. Most courts treat repeated violations seriously, with remedies ranging from make-up time to modification of custody to sanctions.