Family Court Motions and Hearings in Hardee County, Florida

Hardee County is one of the smaller counties in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Its Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, located at 417 W. Main Street in Wauchula, handles filing and pro se packet sales for family law cases headed to a hearing. Filing a motion does not set a hearing date by itself. A self-represented party generally has to contact the judge's office through the Clerk to arrange one after filing.

The Tenth Circuit runs on administrative orders that shape how family hearings work. AO 5-20.8 sets general provisions for the family law division. AO 5-51.0 is a standing order specific to contested dissolution of marriage actions. Both apply in Hardee the same way they apply in Polk and Highlands.

Self-represented filers can buy Florida Supreme Court approved pro se packets directly from the Clerk. Prices run from $6.15 to $24.35 depending on the type, covering simplified and contested dissolution, child support and parenting plan modification, paternity, and stepparent adoption. The Tenth Circuit's Family Court Self-Help Program, at 1-800-780-5346 extension 4015, can help you find the right packet. Staff there cannot draft your motion or predict how a hearing will go.

Remote appearances are possible in the Tenth Circuit. The court has published tutorial videos on using Zoom and Teams for a virtual hearing. Whether a specific Hardee motion qualifies for a remote appearance still depends on the assigned judge, so check the notice of hearing for instructions before you assume anything.

Where hearings are held in Hardee County, FL

Family court hearings in Hardee County, FL are held at the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Hardee County, with the county seat in Wauchula. Because courtroom assignments, remote appearance options, and local procedures change over time, use the Florida court clerk directory to confirm current details:

Find the Hardee 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:

1. File a written motion stating the relief you are asking for, with a current Financial Affidavit if money or support is at issue.
2. Serve the motion on the other party or their attorney.
3. 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).
4. Attend mediation first if your circuit requires it for contested family law motions.
5. Attend the hearing and receive the court's order.

Local notes for Hardee County, FL

Hardee's court operation is small. A phone call to the Clerk's office at 417 W. Main Street is usually the fastest way to find out which judge is assigned to your family case and how to get a hearing date. Don't waste time searching for a self-service scheduling tool; none exists here.

The Clerk's fee schedule sets the standard dissolution filing fee at $408.00. That figure already includes a $10.50 judgment fee, so budget for the full amount at filing to avoid a surprise later.

Hardee sits inside the Tenth Circuit alongside Polk and Highlands. The same administrative orders on contested dissolution procedure and family division operations apply here, even though the county itself is much smaller. Ask the Clerk or check jud10.flcourts.org for the current text of AO 5-51.0 before a contested hearing.

Official hearing resources in Hardee County, FL

Hardee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller handles hearings filings, located at 417 W. Main Street, Suite 202, Wauchula 33873.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Statewide portal; the Clerk's fee schedule lists Marriage Dissolution/Annulment at $408.00, which it notes includes a $10.50 judgment fee.

Pro Se Packets and Family Court Self-Help Program (https://www.hardeeclerk.com/departments/family-law/pro-se-packets-fees/) can help with procedure and paperwork. Offers Florida Supreme Court approved simplified and contested dissolution packets, plus child support and parenting plan modification, paternity, and stepparent adoption packets. Packet prices range $6.15 to $24.35. Tenth Circuit Family Court Self-Help Program phone 1-800-780-5346 ext. 4015. Clerk's office at 417 W. Main St, Suite 202, Wauchula, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. AO 5-20.8 (Tenth Circuit Administrative Order - Provisions for the Family Law Division) applies; see https://jud10.flcourts.org/self-help-pro-se. AO 5-51.0 (Tenth Circuit Administrative Order - Standing Order for Contested Dissolution of Marriage Actions) applies; see https://jud10.flcourts.org/self-help-pro-se.

• Hardee Clerk - Pro Se Packets and Fees
• Tenth Judicial Circuit - Self-Help Information
• Florida Courts - Florida State Courts System
• 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.

Hardee County, FL Family Court Hearing FAQs