Updated August 2026
Family Court Motions and Hearings in St. Johns County, Florida
A plain-language guide to asking for a family court hearing in St. Johns County, FL, from the motion you file at the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, St. Johns County to deadlines and what to expect, prepared without hiring an attorney.
St. Johns County runs its own Family Law page instead of pointing people back to the Seventh Judicial Circuit's shared version. That page does not list a dollar filing fee for a dissolution or family motion, so call the Clerk to confirm the amount before you file. Filing happens at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center, 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine.
Setting a hearing in a St. Johns family case follows the same written process used across the Seventh Circuit. Call the assigned judge's judicial assistant for a date and time, prepare a Notice of Hearing on statewide Form 12.923, file it with the Family Law Clerk's Office, and mail a copy to the other party. Bring three copies of the final judgment to a final hearing, filled out except for the judge's signature and date, plus two stamped, pre-addressed envelopes.
A Seventh Circuit General Magistrate may hear temporary or post-judgment domestic relations matters in St. Johns under Rule 12.490. A Child Support Enforcement Hearing Officer handles support issues under Rule 12.491.
In a contested case, if the parties' combined income is under $100,000, it can be referred to the circuit's Family Mediation Program under Administrative Order FM-2012-027-SC. Above that threshold, the case goes to a certified private mediator instead. St. Johns accepts filings through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com.
Where hearings are held in St. Johns County, FL
Family court hearings in St. Johns County, FL are held at the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, St. Johns County, with the county seat in St. Augustine. Because courtroom assignments, remote appearance options, and local procedures change over time, use the Florida court clerk directory to confirm current details:
Find the St. Johns 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 St. Johns County, FL
St. Johns maintains its own Family Law page, so start there for county-specific guidance. The page does not itemize the filing fee, though, so confirm the exact amount by phone.
Follow the Seventh Circuit's Setting a Hearing steps in order: call the judicial assistant, file the Notice of Hearing, and mail a copy to the other party. Each step is required, and skipping one can delay your hearing no matter how complete the rest of your paperwork is.
Check your combined income against the $100,000 threshold before assuming the circuit's Family Mediation Program applies instead of a private mediator. Administrative Order FM-2012-027-SC sets that line.
Official hearing resources in St. Johns County, FL
Richard O. Watson Judicial Center handles hearings filings, located at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine 32084.
E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, statewide for the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
St. Johns Clerk Family Law (https://stjohnsclerk.com/court-records/family-law/) can help with procedure and paperwork. St. Johns hosts its own Family Law page rather than routing only to the Seventh Circuit's shared page.
- St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Family Law, St. Johns Clerk
- Family Court Services, Seventh 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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St. Johns County, FL Family Court Hearing FAQs
Where do I file a family law motion in St. Johns County?
File in person with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center, 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine FL 32084. Or file electronically through myflcourtaccess.com, the statewide e-filing portal that covers the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
How much does it cost to file a family motion in St. Johns County?
The Clerk's Family Law page does not list a current fee. Call the Clerk's office to confirm the exact amount before you file, since fees vary by motion type and change over time.
How do I get a hearing date set in St. Johns County?
Call the assigned judge's judicial assistant directly, explain what the hearing is for, and ask for a date and time. Then prepare a Notice of Hearing on Form 12.923, file it with the Family Law Clerk's Office, and mail a copy to the other party.
Will my St. Johns County family case be heard by a magistrate?
It might. Seventh Circuit General Magistrates hear temporary and post-judgment domestic relations matters under Rule 12.490. Child Support Enforcement Hearing Officers handle support issues under Rule 12.491.
Will my St. Johns County family case go to mediation before a hearing?
If the parties' combined income is under $100,000, the case may go to the Seventh Circuit's Family Mediation Program under Administrative Order FM-2012-027-SC. Above that threshold, parties go to a certified private mediator instead.
What do I bring to a final hearing in St. Johns County?
Bring three copies of the final judgment, filled out except for the judge's signature and date. Also bring two stamped, pre-addressed envelopes, one addressed to each party, as the Seventh Circuit's Setting a Hearing instructions require.
This page is general information about Florida family court hearing procedure in St. Johns County, FL, not legal advice for your situation. Deadlines, local rules, and courtroom procedures change; always confirm current details with the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, St. Johns 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 St. Johns 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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