Child Custody and Time-Sharing in Marion County, Florida

Custody disputes in Marion County start with a petition filed at the Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court. From there, a Family Division judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit handles parental responsibility and time-sharing decisions. The Marion County Courthouse (110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475) is the courthouse address for Marion County family law matters. Families across the county, including in Belleview, use this same courthouse.

Two concepts replaced custody once Fla. Stat. 61.13 took its current form: parental responsibility, which covers major decisions like schooling and medical care, and time-sharing, which covers the actual calendar. Most families complete the standard Form 12.995(a). A safety-focused variant, 12.995(b), applies where abuse or substance issues limit contact, and a long-distance variant, 12.995(c), fits parents who live far apart.

A judge will not sign a final judgment involving minor children until both parents show proof of a parenting course completed through a DCF-approved provider, as required by Fla. Stat. 61.21. Because custody jurisdiction depends on where a child has lived, Florida also requires a UCCJEA affidavit, Form 12.902(d), disclosing the child's residence history, with every custody petition. Before a contested time-sharing hearing happens, expect a mediation referral: Fla. Stat. 61.183 authorizes it, and most circuits use it as a standard step.

Attorneys must e-file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (myflcourtaccess.com). Self-represented parties may e-file there too or file on paper at the clerk's office. For help with the mechanics of filing, the Fifth Judicial Circuit's family self-help program (https://www.circuit5.org/marion-county-family-court/) reviews self-represented parents' paperwork for completeness, but staff there do not give legal advice.

Where custody cases are heard in Marion County, FL

Custody and time-sharing matters in Marion County, FL are handled by the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Marion County, with the county seat in Ocala. 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 Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion County, FL.

Local notes for Marion County, FL

Marion County's mediation office sits on the second floor of the Judicial Center, Room 2-2001. The coordinator, Courtney Baker, can be reached at marionmediation@circuit5.org. Income, not a flat rate, sets the mediation fee under Fla. Stat. 44.108, and the clerk can waive it entirely for a party found indigent.

Marion County charges $408 to file a time-sharing or related family petition, plus any summons or service fees. The Fifth Judicial Circuit Marion County Self-Help Office sits on the first floor of the courthouse, inside the Law Library; book a telephonic appointment via MarionFamilySelfHelp@circuit5.org. That office can tell you which forms apply and review your packet, though by law it cannot complete forms for you or advise you on what to write.

A guardian ad litem is not automatic in a contested case. Fla. Stat. 61.401 gives the judge discretion to appoint one. The Fifth Circuit's Guardian ad Litem Program office, which mostly handles dependency matters, is reachable at 352-671-5757. Confirm the exact per-session mediation fee directly with marionmediation@circuit5.org.

Official custody resources in Marion County, FL

Marion County Courthouse handles custody filings, located at 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala 34475.

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.

Fifth Judicial Circuit Family Self-Help (https://www.circuit5.org/marion-county-family-court/) can help with procedure and paperwork. Fifth Judicial Circuit Marion County Self-Help Office, first floor of the courthouse inside the Law Library, telephonic appointment via MarionFamilySelfHelp@circuit5.org

• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• Marion County Family Self-Help
• Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Fla. Stat. 61.13 - Parenting Plans and Time-Sharing
• Marion County Family Mediation

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

Marion County, FL Child Custody FAQs