Understanding legal language is one of the most overwhelming parts of going through family court—especially if you’re doing it without a lawyer. If you’re a parent representing yourself in a Florida divorce, custody, or timesharing case, you’ll come across a lot of legal terms that may not make sense right away. These words appear in court paperwork, court hearings, and conversations with judges, magistrates, and clerks. This article breaks down the most common family law jargon in Florida in plain language, and helps you understand when and why each term comes up during your case.
When You’ll Encounter These Terms
You’ll hear and see these terms throughout your entire case—from the day you file to your final hearing, and sometimes even after your case is over. They may appear in court documents, self-help forms, parenting plans, child support orders, and communications from the other parent or the judge. The more familiar you are with this language, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel at every step.
Terms You’ll Hear at the Start of Your Case
When you first begin your case, whether you’re filing for divorce or modifying a parenting plan, you’ll come across terms like “Petitioner,” “Respondent,” and “Jurisdiction.” The Petitioner is the person who starts the case by filing paperwork with the court. The Respondent is the other party who has to respond. You’ll see these labels on every form you submit—so it’s important to keep them consistent. You’ll also see Jurisdiction, which means the court’s legal authority to hear your case. Florida courts can only hear your family law case if you or your children have lived in Florida for at least six months before filing. This is required by Florida Statute §61.021, which outlines residency requirements for divorce.
As you fill out your first forms, you’ll also run into Venue—a term that refers to the correct county where your case should be filed. Usually, this is the county where your child has lived for the last six months, or where both parents last lived together. These terms will appear on your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Supplemental Petition to Modify Parenting Plan, or any other forms related to filing.
Terms Used During the Case and Hearings
After you’ve filed, you may have to attend hearings or respond to motions. At this stage, you’ll likely hear words like Motion, Order, and Hearing. A Motion is a formal request made to the court, asking the judge to do something—like change a timesharing schedule or enforce a missed child support payment. The court may then schedule a Hearing, which is a short court session where both sides can explain their position. After a hearing, the judge will usually sign an Order, which is the official written decision that must be followed by both parents.
If a judge wants more information before making a decision, they may schedule a Case Management Conference—a non-evidentiary hearing where the judge checks in on the progress of the case. You may also be required to attend Mediation, which is a confidential meeting with a neutral third party to try to reach an agreement without trial. In Florida, mediation is required in most family law cases before a final hearing is scheduled, according to Florida Family Law Rule 12.740.
If an agreement is reached at mediation, it will be written up as a Mediated Settlement Agreement and presented to the court for approval. If no agreement is reached, the case may move toward a Trial—a formal court session where the judge hears evidence and testimony and makes final decisions about parenting, child support, or other issues.
Parenting and Timesharing Terminology
Florida no longer uses the terms “custody” or “visitation.” Instead, the law refers to Parental Responsibility and Timesharing. Parental Responsibility refers to the right to make important decisions about your child’s life—like education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. Parents may share Shared Parental Responsibility, or one parent may be granted Sole Parental Responsibility if the court believes shared responsibility would harm the child.
Timesharing refers to the actual schedule of when your child spends time with each parent. You’ll develop a Parenting Plan, which is a detailed document that outlines the timesharing schedule, holiday arrangements, communication rules, and more. Florida law requires that all final judgments involving children include a Parenting Plan approved by the court under Florida Statute §61.13(2)(b).
When creating or modifying a parenting plan, you’ll hear about the Best Interests of the Child standard. This is the guiding principle the judge uses to make decisions. Florida law outlines specific factors used to determine best interests, including each parent’s ability to foster a relationship between the child and the other parent, their moral fitness, and their involvement in daily routines. These factors are listed in Florida Statute §61.13(3).
Support and Financial Terms
Financial terms also appear frequently in family law cases. Child Support is the court-ordered amount of money one parent must pay to help meet the child’s needs. It’s calculated based on income, the number of overnights the child spends with each parent, and specific expenses like health insurance and childcare. You’ll use the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, available from the Florida Courts Family Law Forms site, to determine the amount.
Income Withholding Orders may also be issued, directing an employer to deduct child support payments from a parent’s paycheck. If a parent fails to pay child support, the court may find them in Contempt, which means violating a court order, and could lead to fines, wage garnishment, or even jail time. You’ll hear this term during Enforcement proceedings if child support isn’t being paid as ordered.
Post-Judgment and Modification Terms
After your case is finalized, you may need to return to court if circumstances change. At that point, you’ll hear terms like Supplemental Petition—a request to change a final judgment, usually for child support, parental responsibility, or timesharing. You may also file a Motion for Civil Contempt/Enforcement if the other parent isn’t following the court’s orders. These forms and instructions are provided at the Florida Courts Self-Help website.
If either parent disagrees with a final judgment, they may file an Appeal, which is a request for a higher court to review the trial judge’s decision. Appeals are rare in family law because they are expensive and limited to specific legal errors.
Final Thoughts
Legal jargon can be one of the biggest obstacles for people trying to navigate family court without a lawyer. But every term you learn is another step toward confidence and control in your own case. These terms aren’t meant to confuse you—they’re tools used by the court to make decisions fairly and consistently. The more you understand them, the more empowered you become.
If you feel overwhelmed, remember that free resources exist to help. Florida’s Family Law Self-Help Center, Florida Legal Aid Directory, and local court clerk’s offices are there to provide guidance. With education, preparation, and patience, you can find your footing—even without a lawyer by your side.
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For guidance about your specific case, contact a licensed Florida attorney or visit a local legal aid organization. If you are experiencing emotional distress related to your legal situation, consider seeking support from a licensed mental health professional.
