Common Family Court Terms

Common Family Court Terms

Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)

• Under Florida Statutes §61.403, guardian ad litem (GAL) is a court-appointed representative who acts as a "next friend" of the child.

• A GAL advocates for the child’s best interests but is not the child’s lawyer or personal advocate.

Family Court Services

When parents are overwhelmed by their own legal battles or emotional turmoil, Family Court Services offers essential support. This unit provides resources for parents and children, ensuring children's emotional needs are met during difficult family transitions.

Children can also access trusted professionals who understand what they are experiencing, giving them a safe outlet during this challenging time.

Family Court Services Overview

The Answer is Family Court Services.

Background and Description

Family Court Services plays a vital role within Miami-Dade County, Florida, the state’s largest judicial circuit, by applying principles of therapeutic justice. For over 20 years, this unit has provided essential services to families facing some of the most complex legal challenges. Judges and general magistrates rely on Family Court Services for brief, solution-focused therapeutic interventions in difficult cases.

Staffed by dedicated professionals, the unit focuses on reducing family conflict while providing sensitive, supportive services to promote the well-being of children and the entire family system.

Services Provided All services are offered free of charge and are designed to assist families with:

• Parental Alienation

• Child/Family Assistance

• Co-Parenting Support

• Crisis Assistance

• Marital Reconciliation

• Parenting Coordination

• Reunification

• Time-Sharing

• Supervised Visitation / Monitored Exchanges

The unit also connects families with community providers for court-ordered services.

In-House Services

• Alienation
  Assists in identifying and addressing parental alienation issues to restore healthy parent-child relationships.

• Child/Family Assistance
  Provides support through interviews with family members and children (when necessary) to resolve issues affecting the child’s welfare.

• Co-Parenting
  Evaluates and enhances parenting skills, promotes effective communication, and helps parents develop and manage time-sharing plans.

• Crisis Assistance
  Offers immediate intervention when the court identifies urgent issues, such as situations involving imminent danger to a parent or child.

• Marital Reconciliation
  Helps individuals or couples explore motivations behind separation or divorce and assess factors impacting their relationship.

Family Court Services In Miami-Dade County, Family Court Services offers a range of supportive resources designed to help families through legal and relational challenges in family court cases. Their primary services include assistance with issues like parental alienation, co-parenting support, and time-sharing guidance. For high-conflict cases, the court provides parenting coordination, which helps parents develop effective parenting plans and minimize children's exposure to conflict. The court also offers crisis assistance when immediate intervention is needed for the safety of a child or parent.

Additionally, Family Court Services provides supervised visitation and monitored exchanges to ensure safe interactions between children and parents. These services support reunification for families where children may feel estranged from one parent, helping to rebuild those relationships safely. The Family Court Self-Help Program also guides self-represented litigants, assisting them with paperwork and court procedures.

Miami-Dade's Family Court Services connects families to community resources as well, such as counseling, parenting classes, and substance abuse evaluations. This comprehensive approach aims to reduce family conflict and create a supportive environment for the well-being of children and parents involved in family court proceedings.

Family Court Services ensures families receive the tools and support they need to navigate legal challenges while prioritizing the welfare of children.

Parenting Coordination
Facilitates the creation or improvement of parenting plans and provides strategies to reduce children’s exposure to parental conflict.

Reunification
Supports children and parents in addressing feelings of estrangement, helping to establish or rebuild a healthy relationship between the child and the parent.

Time-Sharing
Assists in resolving conflicts regarding time-sharing, clarifying existing schedules, and developing more meaningful arrangements that benefit both the child and the parents.

Supervised Visitation / Monitored Exchanges
Provides a safe, neutral environment to observe parent-child interactions when there are concerns about the child’s physical or emotional welfare.

Mediation

What is Mediation?
Mediation is a confidential process where a neutral mediator helps both parties discuss and potentially resolve disputes. While courts may require mediation for certain cases, reaching an agreement remains voluntary.

In-House vs. Private Mediation Services

• In-House Mediation: Provided directly through the court system.

• Private Mediation: Conducted by independent mediators outside the court.

• Costs: Fees vary based on the mediator and the nature of the dispute. Check with the court or mediator for specific pricing details.