Recent Updates
Saturday, May 9, 2026Recent updates from the circuit.
Court opinions, legislative updates, procedure changes, and community discussions covering the last 6 months of family law developments in the 6th Circuit.
Public records only. All information is compiled from publicly available records and AI-assisted analysis. Data may be incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated. Nothing here constitutes legal advice or a recommendation. Always verify independently and consult a licensed Florida family law attorney.
Community Intelligence
Community Discussions
Curated posts from people going through divorce in the 6th Circuit — attorney experiences, parenting coordinator feedback, and practical questions from real cases. Sourced from public forums and social media. Community opinions, not verified facts.
E-filing fully implemented in all Pinellas County court sections
Electronic filing through the Florida Courts ePortal is now fully implemented in all Pinellas County sections. E-service is available for all court sections in both Pinellas and Pasco counties. Pro se parties and attorneys must file documents electronically through the portal. The Clerk's office can assist with e-filing questions at the Self Help Centers.
Pinellas Clerk
Modifying child custody under Florida's new law — 'unanticipated' requirement removed
Under the 2023 reforms, parents seeking to modify custody no longer need to prove the change in circumstances was 'unanticipated.' Any substantial, material change suffices. Combined with the 50/50 timesharing presumption, this lowers the barrier for modification petitions. However, courts still require detailed written findings explaining why modification serves the child's best interests.
Chane Law
Contempt for failure to pay Florida child support — burden shifting explained
In civil contempt for child support non-payment, the moving party must show a prior order and failure to pay. The burden then shifts to the defaulting party to prove inability to pay due to circumstances beyond their control. Courts presume the obligor has ability to pay unless rebutted. Understanding this burden shift is critical for both enforcement and defense in Pinellas County family law cases.
Streets Law
How Florida courts handle child relocation petitions under current law
Under section 61.13001, a parent seeking to relocate more than 50 miles must petition the court. The court weighs quality-of-life improvements against the non-relocating parent's right to maintain a meaningful relationship. Long-distance visits are generally not considered adequate substitutes for regular parenting time. The 2023 reform also clarified that a parent relocating closer to a child may constitute grounds for timesharing modification.
Cairns Law
Board certification in Marital & Family Law — 2026 exam March 13
The Florida Bar Marital & Family Law certification exam was administered March 13, 2026. Board certified family lawyers must demonstrate advanced knowledge and experience. New certification applications will be posted April 2026. Board certified attorneys are held to the Florida Bar's most stringent ethical and professional standards — a useful credential to verify when selecting counsel.
FL Bar
Florida eliminates permanent alimony — what it means for 2026 cases
Florida courts can no longer award permanent alimony under reformed §61.08. Durational alimony capped at 50–75% of marriage length. The 2026 amendment also removes the 'unanticipated' requirement for custody modifications — any substantial change in circumstances now justifies a modification petition.
divorce.law
Florida eliminates permanent alimony — what it means for 2026 divorce cases
Florida courts can no longer award permanent alimony under reformed section 61.08. Durational alimony capped at 50-75% of marriage length. The reform also introduced a supportive relationship provision: if the alimony recipient enters a supportive relationship with another person, the obligor can petition to reduce or terminate alimony with specific written findings.
divorce.law
Pro Bono / Self Help Center — free legal assistance directory for Pinellas County
The St. Petersburg Bar Association maintains a directory of pro bono legal services for Pinellas County residents who cannot afford an attorney. Services include bankruptcy, divorce/family law, elder law, housing, and civil matters. Agencies include Community Law Program, Bay Area Legal Services, and Florida Free Legal Answers.
St. Petersburg Bar Association
Co-parenting with a Sheriff — Florida parenting plan enforcement
Florida parent seeking advice on enforcing a court-ordered parenting plan against a Sheriff officer who frequently changes the schedule. Community discussion of contempt remedies and how Florida courts handle violations by a law enforcement parent.
r/FamilyLaw
Ex-spouse seeking to reduce 50/50 timesharing — Florida modification standards
Florida family law discussion: ex-spouse was granted 50/50 week-on/week-off timesharing, now wants to drop to every-other-weekend. Community advice on Florida timesharing modification standards and whether courts will approve the change.
r/FamilyLaw
Clerk's Legal Self Help Centers — free assistance for self-represented parties
Pinellas County Clerk operates Self Help Centers at both Clearwater and St. Petersburg courthouses. Free assistance with forms, filing procedures, and case status. No legal advice — procedural guidance only. Hours and locations at pinellasclerk.org.
Pinellas Clerk
Clerk's Self Help Centers — 3 locations now offering in-person attorney appointments
Pinellas County Clerk Self Help Centers at Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and a third location now offer in-person attorney appointments for self-represented parties. Telephonic appointments also available on request. Free assistance with forms, filing procedures, and case status. No legal advice — procedural guidance only.
Pinellas Clerk
A.O. 2026-004 — New administrative order for Pasco County circuit operations
Administrative Order 2026-004 PA-CIR establishes updated procedures for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pasco County. While primarily affecting Pasco, attorneys practicing across both counties in the 6th Circuit should review for any cross-county procedural changes that may affect family law filings.
6th Judicial Circuit
Bay Area Legal Services expands Pinellas County family law intake
Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) serves residents of Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties with free legal assistance. Last year BALS provided services to over 16,889 individuals and families. Pinellas residents can apply by phone (800-625-2257) Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm or online anytime. Language interpreters available at no cost.
Bay Area Legal Services
Father abandoning 50/50 custody — Florida options for modification
Florida parent with 50/50 custody order reports father has abandoned timesharing. Community discussion of child abandonment remedies and custody modification process in Florida. Under the 2023 reforms, the abandoning parent's failure to exercise timesharing may constitute a substantial change in circumstances justifying modification.
r/FamilyLaw
Community Law Program — free family law representation in Pinellas County
Community Law Program (lawprogram.org) provides free civil legal services to financially eligible Pinellas County residents. Pro bono attorneys handle divorce, child support, custody, and other family law matters. Call 727-582-7480 to apply. Also operates advice clinics for bankruptcy, housing, and criminal record expunction. Regional partner of Bay Area Legal Services.
Community Law Program
Seeking custody of a child from a Florida parent with substance abuse issues
Multi-state custody discussion involving Florida courts. Substance abuse and domestic violence allegations. Community advice on third-party custody petitions in Florida family court. Under current law, substance abuse convictions can trigger a presumption against shared parental responsibility.
r/FamilyLaw
Florida Free Legal Answers — ask volunteer attorneys online
Florida Free Legal Answers (floridafreelegalanswers.org) allows low-income Florida residents to post family law questions and receive answers from volunteer attorneys. Civil legal aid — not legal representation. Covers divorce, custody, child support, and parenting plan questions.
Florida Free Legal Answers
A.O. 2025-046 — Reassignment of civil and family law cases in Pinellas County (eff. Feb 12, 2026)
Administrative Order 2025-046 reassigns circuit civil, family law, county civil, and small claims cases in Pinellas County effective February 12, 2026. Attorneys and pro se parties should verify their judge assignment after this date as case sections may have changed. Check JAWS (ccmspa.pinellasclerk.org) for current assignments.
6th Judicial Circuit
Florida Bar Journal: Retroactivity of the equal timesharing presumption
The Florida Bar Journal published analysis of whether the 50/50 timesharing presumption (HB 1301) applies retroactively to modification of pre-2023 parenting plans. Key question: does the presumption eliminate the substantial-change-in-circumstances requirement? Courts appear to hold that modification still requires showing substantial change first, then the presumption applies. Critical reading for any parent seeking to modify an existing timesharing order.
The Florida Bar Journal
What to Know About Florida Divorce Laws in 2026
Florida divorce in 2026: Equitable distribution governs property division. Parenting plans are required — courts no longer use the term 'custody'. 50/50 time-sharing is the usual starting point but is not mandated by law. Child support calculated under statutory guidelines based on income and time-sharing schedule.
Hen Law
Parenting class required for FL divorce — online options available
Florida law requires parents in dissolution of marriage cases with minor children to complete a court-approved parenting course (§61.29). Online options are available and typically cost $20–30. Must be completed before final hearing. Certificates are filed with the clerk.
Florida Divorce Info/Support
Wolverton v. Wolverton — shared parental responsibility and income imputation
The 2nd DCA addressed contested issues of shared parental responsibility and income imputation in a dissolution appeal. The case examines when courts may impute income to a spouse who voluntarily reduces earnings, and the proper application of statutory factors for parental responsibility determinations under the 2023 reforms.
FL 2nd DCA
SB 166 / HB 173 — Parental Rights bill filed for 2026 session
SB 166 (Sen. Grall) and companion HB 173 were filed for the 2026 Florida legislative session. The bills expand parental consent requirements for minors' medical treatment including STD testing and contraceptive services. While not directly amending family law statutes, the bills redefine parental rights in ways that may affect custody and parenting plan disputes. Effective date: July 1, 2026 if enacted.
FL Legislature
2026 Marital & Family Law Review Course — Jan 29-31, Orlando
The Florida Bar Family Law Section and Florida AAML hosted the annual Marital & Family Law Certification Review Course January 29-31, 2026 in Orlando. Topics included implementation of the 2023 alimony and timesharing reforms, appellate trends, and the certification exam (scheduled March 13, 2026). Law school stipends were available for students from each Florida-accredited school.
FL Bar Family Law Section
Amendments to Rules Regulating The Florida Bar — Rule 20-6.1 (Jan 2026)
The Florida Supreme Court filed amendments to Rule 20-6.1 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar on January 6, 2026 (Case No. SC2026-0024). Practitioners should review updated requirements that may affect family law practice, including changes to professionalism standards and bar governance procedures.
FL Supreme Court
Florida Family Law Changes 2026: Divorce, Alimony, and Child Support
No permanent alimony. Courts increasingly require mediation before trial. 50/50 time-sharing presumption (HB 1301) remains the starting point. Child support deviation from guidelines requires written findings. Procedural changes require audio recording for proceedings with abuse allegations.
Boyer Law Firm
Wolf v. Wolf — contempt cannot be used to modify custody without statutory findings
In a landmark ruling, the 2nd DCA affirmed a contempt finding against a mother who violated a parenting plan, but reversed the trial court's award of 670 make-up days and custody transfer to the father. The court held that contempt sanctions cannot be used as a shortcut to permanently modify custody — statutory modification requirements (substantial change in circumstances + best interests findings) must be followed even when contempt is established.
FL 2nd DCA
Florida Bar reduces CLE requirement from 33 to 30 hours per cycle
Effective January 8, 2024, the Florida Bar reduced continuing legal education requirements from 33 to 30 hours per 3-year cycle. 'Bias elimination' was removed from the mandatory professional responsibility category. At least 5 of the 30 hours must still be in legal ethics, professionalism, substance abuse, or mental health programs. 2 hours must come from the mandatory FL Legal Professionalism course.
FL Bar / LegalFuel
Shaw v. Shaw — 2nd DCA reverses on insufficient record in timesharing case
The 2nd DCA reversed a timesharing determination due to an insufficient trial court record. The decision signals that trial courts must make detailed written findings addressing all statutory factors in section 61.13(3) when establishing timesharing schedules. Inadequate findings prevent meaningful appellate review.
FL 2nd DCA
Rose v. Rose — 2nd DCA family law appeal (Case No. 2D2024-2406)
The 2nd DCA decided Rose v. Rose on November 5, 2025, addressing issues in a dissolution of marriage appeal. The case is part of continuing appellate litigation in the Second District interpreting the 2023 family law reforms regarding alimony and equitable distribution requirements.
FL 2nd DCA
Chief Judge Shawn Crane re-elected for second term (Feb 2025)
Judge Shawn Crane was re-elected chief judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit on February 19, 2025. The Chief Judge oversees administrative operations for both Pinellas and Pasco county courts, including family law division assignments, courthouse operations, and administrative orders.
6th Judicial Circuit
A.O. 2025-006 — Civil case management standing order requires track designation
Administrative Order 2025-006 requires that at the commencement of every civil action, plaintiff's counsel must designate the case track as 'General' or 'Streamlined' per Rule 1.200, and must file and serve the corresponding Standing Order. Applies to family law cases filed in Pinellas County. Failure to comply may result in case management delays.
6th Judicial Circuit
In the Interest of K.S., K.S., K.C. — Pinellas County (PCA)
Per Curiam Affirmed. 2nd DCA upheld Pinellas County circuit court ruling in dependency matter. Silberman, LaRose, and Atkinson, JJ. Appeal from circuit court, Judge Robert M. Gross presiding. Sixth Judicial Circuit.
FL 2nd DCA
50/50 timesharing presumption (HB 1301) continues to reshape custody outcomes
Florida's rebuttable presumption of equal timesharing (HB 1301, effective July 1, 2023) remains the starting point in all new custody determinations. Courts must begin with 50/50 and require preponderance evidence to deviate. The law also removed the 'unanticipated' requirement for custody modifications — any substantial, material change in circumstances now suffices. A parent relocating closer to the child may constitute grounds for modification.
FL Legislature
Florida alimony reform (CS/SB 1416) — permanent alimony eliminated since July 2023
CS/SB 1416 (Chapter 2023-315) eliminated permanent alimony in Florida effective July 1, 2023. Durational alimony is now capped: 50% of marriage length for short-term (<10 yrs), 60% for moderate-term (10-20 yrs), and 75% for long-term (20+ yrs). Courts must make detailed written findings addressing need and ability to pay before awarding any alimony. Applies to all cases where final judgment was not entered before July 1, 2023.
FL Legislature
Community posts represent individual opinions, not verified facts. Attorney mentions are peer recommendations, not endorsements. Always independently verify before acting. Nothing here constitutes legal advice.
Monitored Sources
Community intelligence from Pinellas-area sources.
Attorney recommendations, custody questions, parenting plan advice, and community intelligence gathered from Facebook groups, Reddit, X/Twitter, and local forums. Posts going back 12 months.
Facebook Groups
12 groups
Downtown St. Petersburg
Seminole Happenings
Largo/Clearwater Happenings
Pinellas Happenings
Pinellas Park Happenings
Explore Clearwater & Belleair
St. Pete Beach Happenings
Pinellas County Events
Florida Divorce Info/Support
Keeping Families Out of Court
Largo Neighbors & Community
St. Petersburg Residents Group
7 subreddits
r/tampa
r/StPetersburgFL
r/Divorce_Men
r/FamilyLaw
r/Divorce
r/legaladvice
r/Custody
X / Twitter
2 sources
@PinellasClerk
Pinellas divorce keyword monitor
Official announcements from @PinellasClerk + keyword monitoring for divorce and custody discussions in Pinellas County
Forums & Resources
3 sources
DivorceCare at Pinellas Community Church
Diocese of St. Petersburg Divorce Ministry
Psychology Today support groups — Pinellas
In-Person Support
Verified Support Groups
Pinellas County in-person and virtual divorce recovery groups — verified active as of 2026.
Men's Support Group
Gathering Church, 4400 Shore Acres Blvd NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703
In-person, bi-weekly
Official Sources
Primary sources for live court information. Bookmark each — they are free and authoritative.
Pinellas County Clerk
Official court closures, administrative orders, and announcements. Check here the morning of any hearing.
6th Circuit Court
Pinellas and Pasco County family court information, judicial calendars, and administrative orders.
JAWS Docket Search
Look up your case number, hearing dates, and filings directly in the Pinellas County case management system.
Florida Appellate Opinions
Recent Florida appellate rulings on dissolution, child support, alimony, and timesharing — free on CourtListener.
External links are provided for reference only. 6th Circuit Intelligence (6CI) is not affiliated with any court, government agency, or bar association. Always verify court information directly at official sources before relying on it.