Updated August 2026
Family Court Motions and Hearings in St. Lucie County, Florida
A plain-language guide to asking for a family court hearing in St. Lucie County, FL, from the motion you file at the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, St. Lucie County to deadlines and what to expect, prepared without hiring an attorney.
St. Lucie County handles family law filings through a dedicated Family Relations Department inside the Clerk and Comptroller's office, based at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Family cases don't go through the general filing counter. This department is the direct contact for filing paperwork and for questions about a motion moving toward a hearing.
Like the rest of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, which also covers Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties, St. Lucie uses a document called Form B to request a hearing date on a motion that has already been filed. There is no online booking system. Once a date is set, the circuit's online Judicial Calendar can help confirm it.
St. Lucie also accepts family law paperwork by mail, addressed to the Clerk and Comptroller, Attn: Family Relations Department, P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954. This option matters if a deadline is close and a trip to the courthouse isn't realistic. The Clerk's own Family and Divorce page offers downloadable forms and an FAQ. Staff there are clear that they cannot help complete forms or give legal advice.
Once a hearing date is confirmed, a written notice of hearing still has to be served on the other party. This follows Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516, the same requirement that applies statewide.
Where hearings are held in St. Lucie County, FL
Family court hearings in St. Lucie County, FL are held at the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, St. Lucie County, with the county seat in Fort Pierce. 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. Lucie 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. Lucie County, FL
Because St. Lucie centralizes family filings through its own Family Relations Department, send any procedural question there instead of the general Clerk's line. Staff in that department handle divorce, support, and related motions directly.
If a courthouse trip isn't practical, use the mailing option: Clerk and Comptroller, Attn: Family Relations Department, P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954. Build in extra time for mail delivery if a hearing-related deadline is approaching.
After you submit Form B to request a hearing date, check the Nineteenth Circuit's online Judicial Calendar to confirm it landed correctly. Keep your notice of hearing on file once it's served on the other party.
Official hearing resources in St. Lucie County, FL
St. Lucie County Courthouse handles hearings filings, located at 201 South Indian River Drive, 2nd Floor, Fort Pierce 34950.
The filing fee is $397.50. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Forms can also be downloaded and filed by mail or in person at the Fort Pierce courthouse.
Family Relations Department (https://stlucieclerk.gov/departments-top-menu/family/divorce) can help with procedure and paperwork. The Clerk's Family department page provides divorce forms and a FAQ; staff cannot give legal advice or help complete forms. Mailing address: Clerk and Comptroller, Attn: Family Relations Department, P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954.
- St. Lucie Clerk - Family / Divorce
- Nineteenth Judicial Circuit - Family Division
- Nineteenth Judicial Circuit - Judicial Calendar
- 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. Lucie County, FL Family Court Hearing FAQs
Where do I file for a family court hearing in St. Lucie County?
File with the Family Relations Department at the St. Lucie County Courthouse, 201 South Indian River Drive, 2nd Floor, Fort Pierce. You can also mail your filing to P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954, attention Family Relations Department. E-filing through the statewide portal is available too.
How do I get a hearing date on a motion filed in St. Lucie County?
St. Lucie uses the Nineteenth Circuit's Form B to request a hearing date and time once a motion is already filed. Check circuit19.org's Forms and Checklists page for the current version. Contact the Family Relations Department if you have questions about submitting it.
Can I file family law paperwork by mail in St. Lucie County?
Yes. St. Lucie accepts family filings by mail, addressed to the Clerk and Comptroller, Attn: Family Relations Department, P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954. You can also e-file or file in person at the courthouse.
Can the Family Relations Department help me fill out my hearing paperwork?
No. The department offers downloadable forms and an FAQ, but its own materials say staff cannot help complete forms or give legal advice. For hands-on help, contact a legal aid organization or try FloridaLawHelp.org.
How can I confirm my hearing date once it is set in St. Lucie County?
The Nineteenth Circuit's online Judicial Calendar covers St. Lucie along with Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. Use it to confirm a scheduled hearing date after Form B has been submitted and processed.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in St. Lucie County?
The Clerk lists a base filing fee around $397.50 for dissolution of marriage in St. Lucie County. Confirm the current amount with the Family Relations Department before you file. If cost is a hardship, ask about a fee waiver under Fla. Stat. 57.082.
This page is general information about Florida family court hearing procedure in St. Lucie County, FL, not legal advice for your situation. Deadlines, local rules, and courtroom procedures change; always confirm current details with the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, St. Lucie 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. Lucie 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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