Updated August 2026
Family Court Motions and Hearings in Miami-Dade County, Florida
A plain-language guide to asking for a family court hearing in Miami-Dade County, FL, from the motion you file at the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Miami-Dade County to deadlines and what to expect, prepared without hiring an attorney.
Miami-Dade County runs one of Florida's more built-out self-help operations for family court hearings. The hub is the Family Court Self-Help Program at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center in downtown Miami. This Eleventh Judicial Circuit program, running since 1994, goes beyond handing out forms. Staff offer intake consultations, review documents, help complete packets, and, notably, help set a case on the calendar for a final hearing, a service most circuits leave entirely to the judge's office.
These services cost money. The program charges $40 to $85 depending on case type, plus an optional completion-assistance add-on of $75 to $150. Filers who show proof of financial hardship can get fees reduced or waived.
Miami-Dade also runs two dedicated online tools beyond the in-person program. SOFIA is an interactive packet assistant that walks self-represented filers through preparing family law paperwork step by step. A separate appointment scheduling site lets filers book time with Self-Help Program staff instead of showing up and waiting.
Mediation in a Miami-Dade family case is generally requested, not automatic. The Eleventh Circuit publishes a specific Motion for Referral to Mediation form. This means a party or the court must affirmatively ask for a referral before a contested motion goes to mediation ahead of a hearing.
Where hearings are held in Miami-Dade County, FL
Family court hearings in Miami-Dade County, FL are held at the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Miami-Dade County, with the county seat in Miami. Because courtroom assignments, remote appearance options, and local procedures change over time, use the Florida court clerk directory to confirm current details:
Find the Miami-Dade 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 Miami-Dade County, FL
Miami-Dade's Family Court Self-Help Program helps get a hearing calendared, not just paperwork sorted. Book an appointment through self-helpappointment.jud11.flcourts.org early rather than waiting until a deadline nears, since slots can fill up.
Budget for the program's service fees: $40 to $85 for the base service, plus up to $150 more for help completing the packet itself. Ask about a fee reduction if cost is a barrier; the program can waive or reduce charges for indigent filers who provide documentation.
SOFIA is a self-paced online tool, not a live appointment. Use it as a first step to prepare paperwork, then book a Self-Help Program appointment for review or hearing-scheduling help.
Official hearing resources in Miami-Dade County, FL
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center handles hearings filings, located at 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami 33128.
The filing fee is $409. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Self-represented parties may also file in person or by mail at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center.
Family Court Self-Help Program (https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/Family-Court-Self-Help-Program) can help with procedure and paperwork. Established in 1994; offers intake consultation, form packet completion assistance, document review, and help setting a case on the calendar for a final hearing. Service charges run $40 to $85 depending on case type, plus optional completion assistance of $75 to $150; fees are reduced or waived for indigent filers with proof of hardship.
- Eleventh Judicial Circuit - Family Court Self-Help Program
- SOFIA Interactive Packet Assistant
- Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts
- 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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Miami-Dade County, FL Family Court Hearing FAQs
Where do I go for a family court hearing in Miami-Dade County?
Miami-Dade family law matters are generally filed and heard at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami. Check your notice of hearing for the exact courtroom and division, since the Clerk's general address may not match every specific filing location.
Can Miami-Dade's Self-Help Program actually get my hearing scheduled?
Yes. Setting a case on the calendar for a final hearing is one of the program's advertised services, along with intake consultation, form completion help, and document review. Book an appointment through self-helpappointment.jud11.flcourts.org.
How much does Miami-Dade's Family Court Self-Help Program cost?
Service charges run $40 to $85 depending on case type, plus an optional completion-assistance add-on of $75 to $150. Filers who show proof of indigency can get fees reduced or waived, so ask about that option if cost is a concern.
What is SOFIA and how does it help with a Miami-Dade family case?
SOFIA is an interactive online packet assistant, found at sofia.jud11.flcourts.org, that walks self-represented filers through preparing family law paperwork step by step. It helps build the documents but does not replace the Self-Help Program's in-person review or hearing-scheduling help.
Is mediation required before a contested hearing in Miami-Dade?
Not automatically. The Eleventh Circuit publishes a specific Motion for Referral to Mediation form, which means a mediation referral in a Miami-Dade family case is typically requested rather than built into every contested motion. Check with the assigned division on whether your case needs one.
How do I book an appointment with Miami-Dade's Self-Help Program?
Appointments are scheduled online at self-helpappointment.jud11.flcourts.org, not by walking in. Book ahead if a hearing deadline is approaching, since the program handles a high volume of Eleventh Circuit family cases.
This page is general information about Florida family court hearing procedure in Miami-Dade County, FL, not legal advice for your situation. Deadlines, local rules, and courtroom procedures change; always confirm current details with the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Miami-Dade 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.
Preparing for a hearing in Miami-Dade County, FL
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