Child Custody and Time-Sharing in Washington County, Florida

Child custody cases in Washington County move through two offices: the clerk of court at the Washington County Courthouse in Chipley handles filing, and the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit's family division decides the case itself, under the parental responsibility and time-sharing standard in Fla. Stat. 61.13.

The Fourteenth Circuit Family Law Forms page, hosted at washingtonclerk.com, has the packets used locally. The clerk's role stays mechanical: accept the petition, collect the fee, issue the summons, and later certify a signed order. Deciding what to file and when falls to the parent, through their own research.

No matter which courtroom in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit hears the case, two requirements apply. Both parents need a signed parenting plan, built on Form 12.995(a), 12.995(b), or 12.995(c). Minor children also trigger the parenting course required under Fla. Stat. 61.21, due about 45 days after filing or service.

A new related family case, such as a paternity action or a dissolution that sets time-sharing, costs around $397.50 in filing fees in the Fourteenth Circuit. E-filing skips the drive to Chipley for most documents: myflcourtaccess.com is a single portal used by all 20 judicial circuits for family case filings, including Washington County. The case caption depends on the parents' marital history. Divorcing spouses set time-sharing through a chapter 61 dissolution, while never-married parents use chapter 742, a paternity action that establishes legal fatherhood, parental responsibility, and a schedule in one filing.

Where custody cases are heard in Washington County, FL

Custody and time-sharing matters in Washington County, FL are handled by the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Washington County, with the county seat in Chipley. 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County, FL.

Local notes for Washington County, FL

The clerk's family division in Washington County is at the Washington County Courthouse, 1293 Jackson Ave, Chipley, 32428. Hearings happen at that same address once a case gets assigned, unless the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit moves it to a different courtroom or a remote setting.

Contested parental responsibility and time-sharing cases in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit go to mediation under Administrative Order 2007-00-03. The circuit's sliding-scale program charges $60 per person per session for combined household income at or under $50,000, or $120 per person per session for income between $50,001 and $100,000, and most cases finish in one three-hour session. Parents with a combined income above $100,000 a year go to a private certified mediator instead.

The filing fee runs around $397.50 in the Fourteenth Circuit; call the clerk's office to confirm the current amount before filing. Parents who cannot afford the fee can apply for civil indigent status under Fla. Stat. 57.082 to have it waived.

Official custody resources in Washington County, FL

Washington County Courthouse handles custody filings, located at 1293 Jackson Ave, Chipley 32428.

The filing fee is $397.50. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, statewide system covering all 20 circuits including the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.

Fourteenth Circuit Family Law Forms page (https://jud14.flcourts.org/family-law/family-law-forms) can help with procedure and paperwork. Verified live on the clerk's or circuit's current site. Administrative Order 2007-00-03 (Family mediation referral and fee schedule) applies; see https://jud14.flcourts.org/alternative-dispute-resolution-mediation/family-mediation.

• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• Florida Statute 61.13, parental responsibility and time-sharing
• Form 12.995(a), Parenting Plan (PDF)
• Form 12.902(d), UCCJEA Affidavit (PDF)
• Florida Guardian ad Litem Program, local circuit finder
• FloridaLawHelp.org

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

Washington County, FL Child Custody FAQs