In re Amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules

Summary

The Supreme Court of Florida adopted amendments to several Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure and related forms to conform them to Chapter 2008-61, Laws of Florida. The legislation replaced terminology such as custody, visitation, and primary or secondary residential parent with parenting plans and time-sharing concepts. The amendments were effective immediately, subject to a 60-day period for comments.

Holdings

1. The Supreme Court of Florida adopted the amendments proposed by the Family Law Rules Committee to rules 12.010, 12.200, 12.210, 12.363, 12.491, 12.610, and 12.650, and to the identified family-law forms.
2. The amended rules and forms became effective immediately, while interested persons were given sixty days from the opinion date to file comments because the amendments had not been published for comment before adoption.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Supreme Court of Florida should adopt the Family Law Rules Committee's proposed amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure and related forms to conform them to chapter 2008-61, Laws of Florida.
2. Whether the adopted amendments and forms should become effective immediately despite the absence of preadoption publication for comment.

Disposition

approved