Filing in Broward — Key Numbers
Broward County Courthouse — 17th Judicial Circuit
Broward County family law matters are handled by the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. The main Family Courts Building in Fort Lauderdale handles the majority of dissolution of marriage filings, with satellite courthouses serving southern and northern areas of the county.
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Family Courts Building (Main) 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 · Family Division
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Filing Hours Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM · Closed on Florida state holidays
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Clerk of Courts (954) 831-6565 · browardclerk.org for online services
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E-Filing Available Florida e-Portal (myflcourtaccess.com) — self-represented parties may e-file from home
Satellite Courthouse Locations
North Satellite Courthouse
1600 W. Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach
Serves north Broward residents
South Satellite Courthouse
3550 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood
Serves south Broward and Hallandale area
You can file at the main courthouse or any satellite location — all filings go into the same 17th Circuit case management system. Choose the location most convenient to you.
Mandatory Mediation in Broward County
The 17th Judicial Circuit requires mandatory mediation in all contested family law cases, including contested dissolutions of marriage. The court's Mediation Center offers court-ordered mediation on a sliding scale based on household income.
- Mediation is ordered by the judge, usually within 60–90 days of contested filing
- Broward's Mediation Center charges $50–$200 per party per session based on income (2024 rates)
- Private mediators are also available — fees range from $200–$500/hour for high-asset cases
- Uncontested divorces proceed directly without mediation — parties file an executed Marital Settlement Agreement
Broward County Dissolution Process
Understanding the typical timeline helps you plan ahead. Here is the standard sequence for an uncontested dissolution in Broward County:
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Prepare and File Petition Complete Florida Supreme Court forms (12.901), pay $408 filing fee, file with Clerk of Courts
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Serve the Respondent Serve your spouse via process server or certified mail — file proof of service with the court
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Mandatory Disclosure (45 days) Both parties exchange financial documents per Rule 12.285 — DivorcePro organizes this for you
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File Settlement Agreement Execute and file Form 12.902(f)(1) or (f)(2) — signed by both parties before a notary
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Final Hearing (Uncontested) Short hearing before a judge — typically 10–15 minutes if paperwork is complete. Final judgment issued.
All Florida Rules Apply in Broward
Broward County operates under Florida's statewide family law rules. The Form 12.902 financial affidavit, Rule 12.285 mandatory disclosure, equitable distribution under §61.075, and all other state requirements apply here identically to every other Florida county.