Florida

Family Law Statutes

Florida Family Law Overview

Florida family law is primarily governed by Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes (Dissolution of Marriage; Support; Time-Sharing). Florida uses the term 'time-sharing' for what other states call visitation, and 'parental responsibility' for legal custody. Florida courts must apply the best interests of the child standard using 20 statutory factors.

Disclaimer: The links below lead to official state government and legal reference websites. This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently – always verify current statutes and consult a licensed family law attorney in Florida for advice specific to your situation.

Key Family Law Statutes

Chapter 61 – Dissolution of Marriage; Support; Time-Sharing (Full Chapter)
Florida's primary family law statute covering all aspects of divorce, time-sharing, and support.
Part I – General Provisions (§§ 61.001–61.455)
Dissolution of marriage, parental responsibility, time-sharing plans, child support, and alimony.
Part II – Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (§§ 61.501–61.542)
Interstate jurisdiction and enforcement of Florida child custody orders (UCCJEA).
Part III – Collaborative Law Process Act (§§ 61.55–61.58)
Alternative dispute resolution through the collaborative law process.
Part IV – Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act (§§ 61.703–61.773)
Custody and time-sharing protections for deployed military parents.
§ 61.13 – Parental Responsibility; Parenting Plan; Time-Sharing
Core Florida parenting plan, time-sharing, and best-interests-of-child statute.
§ 61.29 to 61.30 – Child Support Guidelines
Florida's income shares child support calculation guidelines.