Updated August 2026
Family Court Motions and Hearings in Gulf County, Florida
A plain-language guide to asking for a family court hearing in Gulf County, FL, from the motion you file at the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Gulf County to deadlines and what to expect, prepared without hiring an attorney.
In Gulf County, a contested family case can be referred to mediation before a hearing under statewide Fla. Stat. 44.102 and Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.740. Some temporary or post-judgment matters may instead go to a general magistrate under Rule 12.490 instead of a circuit judge. Filings go through the Clerk at the Gulf County Courthouse, 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd, Room 148, in Port St. Joe. A dissolution of marriage currently costs $397.50.
Gulf's Clerk runs its own Family Law page instead of sending filers only to the Fourteenth Circuit's shared library. That's useful since the county stretches from Port St. Joe on the coast to Wewahitchka in the north.
For that distance, the Fourteenth Circuit's approved forms include a Motion to Appear by Telephone. A Wewahitchka resident facing a long drive to Port St. Joe may want to ask about this option for a routine hearing. Approval depends on the judge and the hearing type.
Gulf accepts filings through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Gulf County does not publish how a hearing date and time get assigned, so after filing, contact the Clerk's office or the judicial assistant tied to your case.
Where hearings are held in Gulf County, FL
Family court hearings in Gulf County, FL are held at the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Gulf County, with the county seat in Port St. Joe. Because courtroom assignments, remote appearance options, and local procedures change over time, use the Florida court clerk directory to confirm current details:
Find the Gulf County, FL Clerk of Court (Florida court clerk directory)
How a family court hearing works in Florida
In Florida, a party who wants the court to decide something while a family case is pending, such as temporary time-sharing, temporary support, or exclusive use of the home, files a written motion under the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure. Motions for temporary financial relief generally require a current Financial Affidavit (Florida Supreme Court approved family law form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c)). The core steps are:
- File a written motion stating the relief you are asking for, with a current Financial Affidavit if money or support is at issue.
- Serve the motion on the other party or their attorney.
- Coordinate a hearing date, following your circuit's local procedure for setting family law motions (some circuits use a uniform motion calendar; others require you to contact the judicial assistant).
- Attend mediation first if your circuit requires it for contested family law motions.
- Attend the hearing and receive the court's order.
Local notes for Gulf County, FL
The Fourteenth Circuit's administrative orders directory is searchable and filterable by court, including Gulf County Court. Check it if you suspect a scheduling or remote-appearance order applies to your case.
If mediation is ordered, Gulf does not publish a fee schedule beyond the statewide Fla. Stat. 44.102 framework. Ask about the cost directly when a referral happens, and ask whether the session takes place in Port St. Joe or elsewhere in the circuit.
Because Gulf County spans a wide area, raise the Motion to Appear by Telephone early. Ask as soon as you receive notice of a hearing, not close to the date, since scheduling a telephonic appearance can take lead time.
Official hearing resources in Gulf County, FL
Gulf County Courthouse handles hearings filings, located at 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd, Room 148, Port St. Joe 32456.
The filing fee is $397.50. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, statewide for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.
Gulf Clerk Family Law (https://www.gulfclerk.com/family-law/) can help with procedure and paperwork. Clerk hosts its own Family Law page rather than routing solely to the Fourteenth Circuit's shared forms page.
- Gulf County Clerk of Court
- Family Law, Gulf County Clerk
- Family Law Forms, Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.
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Gulf County, FL Family Court Hearing FAQs
Where do I file a family law motion in Gulf County?
File with the Clerk of Court at the Gulf County Courthouse, 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd, Room 148, Port St. Joe FL 32456. Or file electronically through myflcourtaccess.com, the statewide e-filing portal that covers the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.
How much does it cost to file for dissolution in Gulf County?
The current fee for dissolution of marriage or annulment is $397.50. A motion filed within an already-open case may cost a different amount, so confirm the exact fee with the Clerk before you file.
Can I appear by phone for a family hearing in Gulf County?
The Fourteenth Circuit's approved forms include a Motion to Appear by Telephone. This can help a Wewahitchka resident facing a long drive to Port St. Joe. Granting it depends on the assigned judge and the hearing type, so ask before you count on it.
Will my Gulf County family case go to mediation before a hearing?
It can. Statewide Fla. Stat. 44.102 and Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.740 authorize mediation referral in contested family matters. Gulf does not publish a fee schedule beyond that statewide framework, so ask about cost and location if your case gets referred.
How do I check for administrative orders affecting Gulf County family cases?
The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit maintains a searchable administrative orders directory. You can filter it by court, including Gulf County Court, to check whether a scheduling or remote-appearance order applies to your case.
How do I find out when my Gulf County hearing is scheduled?
Gulf County and the Fourteenth Circuit do not publish a scheduling process specific to family hearings. After you file, contact the Clerk's office or your assigned judicial assistant to ask how and when a hearing date gets assigned.
This page is general information about Florida family court hearing procedure in Gulf County, FL, not legal advice for your situation. Deadlines, local rules, and courtroom procedures change; always confirm current details with the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Gulf County or the official Florida family court self-help program resources. Virdix is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney.
Hearing guides for nearby counties
Preparing for a hearing in Gulf County, FL
Virdix guides you through the Florida Supreme Court approved family law forms your hearing needs, so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file.
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