Fla. Fam. L.R.P. 12.003

RULE 12.000. PREFACE These rules consist of two separate sections. Section I contains the procedural rules governing family law matters and their commentary. Section II contains forms. Commentary 1995 Adoption. These rules were adopted after the Florida Supreme Court determined that separate rules for family court procedure were necessary. See In re Florida R. Fam. Ct. P., 607 So.2d 396 (Fla. 1992). The court recognized that family law cases are different from other civil matters, emphasizing that the 1993 creation of family divisions in the circuit courts underscored the differences between family law matters and other civil matters. In adopting the family law rules, the Court stressed the need for simplicity due to the large number of pro se litigants (parties without counsel) in family law matters. In an effort to assist the many pro se litigants in this field, the Court has included simplified forms and instructional commentary in these rules. See Section II. The instructional commentary to the forms refers to these rules or the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, where applicable. The forms originally were adopted by the Court pursuant to Family Law Rules of Procedure, No. 84,337 (Fla. July 7, 1995); In re Petition for Approval of Forms Pursuant to Rule 10-1.1(b) of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar—Stepparent Adoption Forms, 613 So.2d 900 (Fla. 1992); Rules Regulating the Florida Bar—Approval of Forms, 581 So.2d 902 (Fla. 1991). SECTION I FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE RULE 12.003. COORDINATION OF RELATED FAMILY CASES AND HEARINGS (a) Assignment to One Judge. (1) All related family cases must be handled before one judge unless impractical. Family Law Rules of Procedure October 1, 2025 17 --- (2) If it is impractical for one judge to handle all related family cases, the judges assigned to hear the related cases involving the same family and/or children may confer for the purpose of case management and coordination of the cases. Notice and communication shall comply with Canon 3.B.(7) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The party who filed the notice of related cases or the court may coordinate a case management conference under rule 12.200 between the parties and the judges hearing the related cases. In addition to the issues that may be considered, the court shall: (A) consolidate as many issues as is practical to be heard by one judge; (B) coordinate the progress of the remaining issues to facilitate the resolution of the pending actions and to avoid inconsistent rulings; (C) determine the attendance or participation of any minor child in the proceedings if the related cases include a juvenile action; and (D) determine the access of the parties to court records if a related case is confidential pursuant to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420. (b) Joint Hearings or Trials. (1) The court may order joint hearings or trials of any issues in related family cases. (2) For joint or coordinated hearings, notice to all parties and to all attorneys of record in each related case shall be provided by the court, the moving party, or other party as ordered by the court, regardless of whether or not the party providing notice is a party in every case number that will be called for hearing. Family Law Rules of Procedure October 1, 2025 18