Child Custody and Time-Sharing in Baker County, Florida

A Baker County custody case starts at the Baker County Clerk of Court's office. Eighth Judicial Circuit Family Division judges decide parental responsibility and the time-sharing schedule. The family law courthouse is the Baker County Courthouse at 339 East Macclenny Avenue #113, Macclenny, FL 32063. This applies to parents based in Glen St. Mary too, not just Macclenny.

Florida judges don't issue custody orders. Instead, a judge approves a parenting plan under Fla. Stat. 61.13, which separates parental responsibility (decisions) from time-sharing (the schedule). Form 12.995(a) is the standard version. Form 12.995(b) covers cases involving domestic violence or substance abuse. Form 12.995(c) is for parents who live in different cities.

Both parents must also complete a parenting course under Fla. Stat. 61.21 when the case involves minor children. A judge won't finalize the case until that's done, and DCF maintains the list of approved course providers. Every petition involving a minor child needs Form 12.902(d), the UCCJEA affidavit, which lists where the child has lived so the court can confirm jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. Contested parenting-plan disputes usually go to mediation first, under Fla. Stat. 61.183, before reaching a judge.

Electronic filing runs through myflcourtaccess.com statewide. It's required for attorneys and optional for self-represented parties, who can still file paper at the counter. The Eighth Judicial Circuit's family self-help program (https://circuit8.org/self-help/) exists for parents without a lawyer, helping them figure out which forms to file and in what order. Staff there never give legal advice.

Where custody cases are heard in Baker County, FL

Custody and time-sharing matters in Baker County, FL are handled by the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Baker County, with the county seat in Macclenny. Because courthouse locations, hours, and local family court programs change over time and can differ between branches, use the Florida court clerk directory to confirm the current details for your case:

Find the Baker County, FL Clerk of Court (Florida court clerk directory)

How custody is decided in Florida

Florida uses the same statewide rules in every county, including Baker County, FL. Florida law no longer uses the words "custody" and "visitation" in the statute; instead, Florida Statutes chapter 61 uses "parental responsibility" (who makes major decisions for the child) and "time-sharing" (the schedule of when the child is with each parent). Parental responsibility can be shared or, in limited cases, granted solely to one parent. Judges decide time-sharing based on the best interest of the child, considering the factors listed in the statute, and Florida law does not favor a parent based on gender.

You raise parental responsibility and time-sharing inside a dissolution of marriage case, or, if the parents were never married, by first filing to establish paternity. The core steps are:

1. Open or use an existing case: a petition for dissolution of marriage, or a paternity case for unmarried parents.
2. File a proposed Parenting Plan (Florida Supreme Court approved family law form 12.995(a)) covering parental responsibility and a time-sharing schedule.
3. Serve the other parent and file proof of service.
4. Complete a parenting course if your circuit requires one for cases with minor children (Fla. Stat. 61.21).
5. Attend mediation if your circuit requires it before a contested hearing, then attend the hearing if you have not agreed. The court enters a Final Judgment with the Parenting Plan attached.

Florida does not use a fixed statewide waiting period for custody orders the way it does for some other filings; timing depends on your circuit's calendar and whether the case is contested. Parents who agree on a Parenting Plan can submit it for the judge's signature without a contested hearing, which is almost always the faster and less costly path in Baker County, FL.

Local notes for Baker County, FL

Baker County family mediation is handled by contract mediators from the circuit's Family Contract Mediators list, not an in-house coordinator. Combined household income under $50,000 is billed at $60 per person per session; income from $50,000 to $99,999 is billed at $120 per person per session. Indigent parties are exempt once the Clerk approves an indigency finding. Florida circuits set mediation fees on a sliding scale tied to combined household income under Fla. Stat. 44.108, and indigent parties can seek a fee exemption through the clerk.

Expect a $408 filing fee for a time-sharing petition in Baker County. Summons or service costs can add to that total. The Eighth Judicial Circuit Self-Help Center is at the Family and Civil Justice Center, Room 413, in Gainesville, (352) 548-3781, and it serves Baker along with Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties. Staff there review paperwork for completeness and point you to the right forms, but by law they cannot fill anything out or advise you on specific answers.

Fla. Stat. 61.401 leaves guardian ad litem appointments in contested custody cases to the judge's discretion. For general information, contact the Eighth Circuit's Guardian ad Litem Program office (mainly dependency cases) at 352-374-3656. The Baker County clerk's own Family Law page points generally to flcourts.org rather than listing local self-help walk-in hours; check bakerclerk.com or call (352) 548-3781 to confirm those hours directly.

Official custody resources in Baker County, FL

Baker County Courthouse handles custody filings, located at 339 East Macclenny Avenue #113, Macclenny 32063.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; mandatory for attorneys, optional for self-represented parties who may file on paper.

Eighth Judicial Circuit Family Self-Help (https://circuit8.org/self-help/) can help with procedure and paperwork. Eighth Judicial Circuit Self-Help Center, Family and Civil Justice Center Room 413 in Gainesville, (352) 548-3781, serving Baker along with Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union

• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• Baker County Family Self-Help
• Fla. Stat. 61.13 - Parenting Plans and Time-Sharing

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Baker County, FL Child Custody FAQs