Updated July 2026
Child Custody and Time-Sharing in Putnam County, Florida
A plain-language guide to child custody in Putnam County, FL, from the forms you file at the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Putnam County to mediation, parental responsibility, and time-sharing and how to prepare your paperwork without hiring an attorney.
Child custody cases in Putnam County go to the Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court, then get assigned to the Seventh Judicial Circuit's Family Division. Florida law now uses parental responsibility and time-sharing instead of the older term custody. The family courthouse is at 410 St. Johns Ave., Rm. 126, Palatka, FL 32177, the Putnam County Courthouse. That covers parents based in Crescent City too, not just those in Palatka.
Fla. Stat. 61.13 replaced custody with two separate ideas: parental responsibility, who makes major decisions, and time-sharing, the actual schedule. Every case with minor children needs a parenting plan on Form 12.995(a). Use the safety-focused 12.995(b) when domestic violence or substance abuse is involved, and the long-distance 12.995(c) when the parents live far apart.
Both parents must also complete a parenting course under Fla. Stat. 61.21 before a judge will finalize a case involving minor children. DCF keeps the statewide list of approved providers. Jurisdiction in a child custody case depends on residence history, so Form 12.902(d), the UCCJEA affidavit, must accompany the petition. Contested parenting-plan disputes usually go to mediation first, under Fla. Stat. 61.183, before a judge hears the case.
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (myflcourtaccess.com) handles filings statewide. It's required for attorneys; self-represented parents can use it too, or file on paper. For procedural questions, like which form to use or what's missing, contact the Seventh Judicial Circuit's family self-help program (https://circuit7.org/family-court-services/). Staff there can't give legal advice.
Where custody cases are heard in Putnam County, FL
Custody and time-sharing matters in Putnam County, FL are handled by the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Putnam County, with the county seat in Palatka. 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 Putnam 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 Putnam 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:
- Open or use an existing case: a petition for dissolution of marriage, or a paternity case for unmarried parents.
- File a proposed Parenting Plan (Florida Supreme Court approved family law form 12.995(a)) covering parental responsibility and a time-sharing schedule.
- Serve the other parent and file proof of service.
- Complete a parenting course if your circuit requires one for cases with minor children (Fla. Stat. 61.21).
- 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 Putnam County, FL.
Local notes for Putnam County, FL
Putnam County family cases qualify for the circuit's court mediation program under Administrative Order FM-2012-027-SC when combined party income is under $100,000. Families above that threshold must hire a certified private mediator. Putnam also offers supervised visitation through Family Resource Connection. The mediation fee isn't flat: Fla. Stat. 44.108 scales it to combined household income, and the clerk can grant an exemption to an indigent party.
Putnam County charges $408 to file a time-sharing or related family petition, plus any summons or service fees. Reach the Seventh Circuit Family Self-Help Program at the Putnam County Courthouse, Rm. 126, Monday through Friday, 8am-noon and 1-5pm, at (386) 329-1911. 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.
A judge decides whether to appoint a guardian ad litem in a contested custody case; it's discretionary under Fla. Stat. 61.401, not automatic. The Seventh Circuit's Guardian ad Litem Program, which mostly handles dependency (abuse and neglect) cases, can be reached at 386-239-7803. Confirm the current per-session mediation fee for Putnam County directly with circuit7.org.
Official custody resources in Putnam County, FL
Putnam County Courthouse handles custody filings, located at 410 St. Johns Ave., Rm. 126, Palatka 32177. Phone: (386) 329-1911.
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.
Seventh Judicial Circuit Family Self-Help (https://circuit7.org/family-court-services/) can help with procedure and paperwork. Seventh Circuit Family Self-Help Program, Putnam County Courthouse Rm. 126, Mon-Fri 8am-noon & 1-5pm, (386) 329-1911
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
- Putnam County Family Self-Help
- Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court
- 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.
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Putnam County, FL Child Custody FAQs
Where do I file for child custody in Putnam County, Florida?
File at the Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Putnam County Courthouse, 410 St. Johns Ave., Rm. 126, Palatka, FL 32177. A Circuit Court judge in the Seventh Judicial Circuit's Family Division hears the case. Attorneys must e-file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Self-represented parties can e-file there too, or file paper documents at the clerk's counter.
What does it cost to file a child custody case in Putnam County?
The filing fee is $408. That total can rise with summons or service fees, so check with the Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court for the current amount. A fee waiver is available to parties who qualify as indigent.
Do both parents have to take a parenting course in Putnam County?
Yes. Fla. Stat. 61.21 makes the parenting course mandatory for both parents whenever a Putnam County case involves minor children. DCF keeps the statewide approved-provider list, and most providers offer the course online or in a classroom.
Is mediation required before a contested time-sharing hearing in Putnam County?
Putnam County family cases qualify for the circuit's court mediation program under Administrative Order FM-2012-027-SC when combined party income is under $100,000; families above that threshold must retain a certified private mediator. Putnam also offers supervised visitation through Family Resource Connection. That referral power comes from Fla. Stat. 61.183, and in practice most Putnam County time-sharing disputes go to mediation first.
What is the UCCJEA affidavit and do I need one in Putnam County?
Form 12.902(d) is the UCCJEA affidavit. Any Putnam County case involving a minor child needs one on file. It lists everywhere the child has lived over the past five years, so the court can confirm it has jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.
Will the court appoint a guardian ad litem in my Putnam County custody case?
There's no automatic appointment. Fla. Stat. 61.401 lets a judge appoint a guardian ad litem in a contested Putnam County custody case at their discretion. Send general inquiries to the Seventh Circuit's Guardian ad Litem Program office at 386-239-7803, though that office primarily handles dependency cases.
This page is general information about Florida child custody procedure in Putnam County, FL, not legal advice for your situation. Court locations, programs, and filing details change; always confirm current details with the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Putnam County or the official Florida family court self-help program resources. If your case involves domestic violence, abduction risk, or a child's safety, contact the court's family court self-help program or a licensed Florida family law attorney, and in an emergency call 911. Virdix is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney.
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