Child Support Hearings - Circuit Court or Division of Administrative Hearings
The court or administrative law judge decides if a child support hearing will be in-person, by phone, or by using an audio/video platform.
Hearings in Circuit Court
- If you are scheduled for a court hearing, please read the hearing notice you receive in the mail and follow the instructions in the notice. If you have questions, contact the attorney, court or administrative law judge that sent you the hearing notice, or use the contact information provided in the notice.
- The address where you live will be provided to the court when a petition is filed by the Child Support Program. If you want the court to keep your address confidential for reasons of personal safety you can complete and file Family Law Form 12.980(h), “Request for Confidential Filing of Address,” with the court. You can obtain a copy of the form and instructions for filing it from the Clerk of Court. The Child Support Program cannot do this for you.
- Court rules require each party to provide an email address to the court so that you receive notice of documents filed in the case. You can do this by completing and filing Family Law Form 12.915, “Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address,” with the court. If you are not represented by an attorney and do not have an email account or regular access to the internet, you can ask the court to be excused from the email requirement by completing and filing Florida Court Form 2.601 with the court. You can obtain copies of these forms and instructions for filing them from the Clerk of Court.
Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH)
- If you are scheduled for a hearing with the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), please read the hearing notice you received in the mail and follow the instructions in the notice. If you have questions, contact DOAH at 850-488-9675.
Important notice for parents seeking support
You must appear at hearings scheduled for your case. If you do not, the following may occur:
- Your public assistance benefits may be stopped
- The court may dismiss the case or deny relief
- Your child support case with the Florida Child Support Program may be closed
What to Bring to the Hearing
Review the hearing notice for specific information requested by the court or DOAH.
Bring records that you believe may be needed for the court to decide your case. Read the hearing notice closely for information about submitting exhibits to the court. The court may require you to file your exhibits before the hearing in order for them to be considered at the hearing. Instructions for submitting and filing exhibits will be provided in the notice.
If the hearing is to establish or modify the support amount, bring financial records about yourself, including most recent paystubs, W-2 earnings statements, IRS tax returns, child care receipts, proof of disability benefits received by you or your dependents based on your disability, and information about health insurance availability and cost.
If you are the parent who owes or may be ordered to pay support, bring proof of payments, proof of ability or inability to pay support, such as pay stubs, medical statements about your health, proof of disability benefits received by you or by your dependents based on your disability, and other documents you believe may be needed by the court to decide your case.
Do not bring your children to the hearing.
Be prepared. The court will not grant another hearing because you are not prepared.
In-Person Hearings
Some hearings are held in-person. The court or administrative law judge decides if a child support hearing will be in-person, by phone, or by using an audio/video platform. For specific information about your hearing, please read the hearing notice you received in the mail or your email and follow the instructions in the notice. If you are unable to appear in person, contact the attorney or court that sent you the hearing notice.
Audio/video or Telephonic Hearings
Some hearings are held by phone or by using an audio/video platform. The court or administrative law judge decides if a child support hearing will be in-person, by phone, or by using an audio/video platform. For specific information about your hearing, please read the hearing notice you received in the mail or by email and follow the instructions in the notice. If you have questions, contact the attorney, court, or administrative law judge that sent the hearing notice. For more information, contact the local court or DOAH.
Audio/video hearings using Zoom
Many circuit courts and administrative law judges hold audio/video hearings using Zoom. If the hearing notice you received says the hearing will be held using Zoom, the following information may be of assistance:
- What is Zoom?
Zoom is an audio/video platform used by some circuit courts and administrative law judges instead of in-person hearings.
- How do I use Zoom?
Before a scheduled hearing, the attorney, the court, or the administrative law judge will send parents a notice of hearing that includes a Zoom meeting ID number.
To access a Zoom hearing with audio and video:
- Download the Zoom app to your Apple or Android smartphone or tablet or download Zoom client for your laptop or computer (Windows or Mac). Be sure your device has a microphone and webcam, if possible.
- Open the Zoom app, or on the website click "Join a Meeting," then enter the Meeting ID provided in the hearing notice you received.
- What if I do not have a smartphone, tablet, or computer capable of audio or video?
- If you are unable to attend your hearing by video, you may be able to join by audio only through Zoom or by phone. If joining by phone, read the hearing notice you received for the number to call.
