Filing in Miami-Dade — Key Numbers
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
All Miami-Dade family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, are filed at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, also known as the Gerstein Justice Building's family division. This is the central filing location for all of Miami-Dade County.
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Address 175 NW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33128 · Family Division, 2nd Floor
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Filing Hours Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Closed on Florida state holidays
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Clerk's Phone (305) 349-7000 · Press 2 for Family Division
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E-Filing Portal Florida e-Portal (myflcourtaccess.com) — self-represented parties may e-file directly
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Self-Help Project Room 1-1, Ground Floor — free assistance completing forms for self-represented litigants. No legal advice provided.
Mandatory Mediation in Miami-Dade
For contested divorces, Miami-Dade Circuit Court requires mandatory mediation before the case can proceed to trial. This is not optional — the court will issue an order to mediate as a standard step in contested proceedings.
- Parties are ordered to mediation by the court, typically 60–90 days after filing
- Mediator must be Florida Supreme Court certified — both parties can agree on a mediator or the court assigns one
- Income-based sliding scale mediation fees available through the 11th Judicial Circuit's Mediation Center
- A signed mediation agreement is submitted to the judge for approval and becomes part of the final judgment
- Uncontested cases skip mediation — parties file a Marital Settlement Agreement directly
A well-organized case preparation package significantly improves your mediation outcome. When both parties arrive with complete, documented financial disclosures, mediation sessions move faster and produce better agreements. DivorcePro prepares you for this.
Florida Parent Education & Family Stabilization Course
If your case involves minor children, both parents are required to complete a Florida-approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before a final judgment can be entered. This is a statewide requirement, not just Miami-Dade.
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Completion Deadline Must be completed before the final hearing — both parties independently
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Online Options Available Florida-approved online courses typically cost $25–$35 and take 4 hours
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Certificate of Completion Must be filed with the court before your final hearing date can be scheduled
Preparación de Casos de Divorcio en Miami — En Español
Miami-Dade County's courts have Spanish-speaking staff available, and the Self-Help Project at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse provides assistance in Spanish. However, all court filings must be in English — DivorcePro ensures your documents are properly prepared and formatted for the court while walking you through the process in the language you prefer.
All Florida Rules Apply in Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade uses Florida's statewide family law rules. All Florida requirements — Form 12.902 financial affidavits, Rule 12.285 mandatory disclosure, equitable distribution under §61.075, and the 20-day waiting period — apply here.