(1) Based upon their willingness to undertake this project, there shall be created by the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar a handbook explaining those sections of Florida law pertaining to the rights and responsibilities under Florida law of marital partners to each other and to their children, both during a marriage and upon dissolution. The material in the handbook or other suitable electronic media shall be reviewed for accuracy by the Family Court Steering Committee of the Florida Supreme Court prior to publication and distribution.
(2) Such handbooks shall be available from the clerk of the circuit court upon application for a marriage license. The clerks may also make the information in the handbook available on videotape or other electronic media and are encouraged to provide a list of course providers and sites at which marriage and relationship skill-building classes are available.
(3) The information contained in the handbook or other electronic media presentation may be reviewed and updated annually, and may include, but need not be limited to:
(a) Prenuptial agreements; as a contract and as an opportunity to structure financial arrangements and other aspects of the marital relationship.
(b) Shared parental responsibility for children and the determination of a parenting plan, including a time-sharing schedule.
(c) Permanent relocation restrictions.
(d) Child support for minor children; both parents are obligated for support in accordance with the applicable child support guidelines schedule.
(e) Property rights, including equitable distribution, premarital property, and nonmarital property.
(f) Alimony, including temporary, permanent rehabilitative, and lump sum.
(g) Domestic violence and child abuse and neglect, including penalties and other ramifications of false reporting.
(h) Court process for dissolution with or without legal assistance, including who may attend, the recording of proceedings, how to access those records, and the cost of such access.
(i) Parent education course requirements for divorcing parents with children.
(j) Community resources that are available for separating or divorcing persons and their children.
(k) Women’s rights specified in the Battered Women’s Bill of Rights.
(4) The material contained in such a handbook may also be provided through videotape or other suitable electronic media. The information contained in the handbook or other electronic media presentation shall be reviewed and updated annually.
History.—s. 7, ch. 98-403; s. 2, ch. 2008-46; s. 34, ch. 2008-61; s. 88, ch. 2018-110.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XLIII - Domestic Relations
Chapter 741 - Marriage; Domestic Violence
741.01 - County Court Judge or Clerk of the Circuit Court to Issue Marriage License; Fee.
741.011 - Installment Payments.
741.0305 - Marriage Fee Reduction for Completion of Premarital Preparation Course.
741.0306 - Creation of a Family Law Handbook.
741.04 - Issuance of Marriage License.
741.041 - Marriage License Application Valid for 60 Days.
741.05 - Penalty for Violation of S. 741.03 or S. 741.04(2).
741.07 - Persons Authorized to Solemnize Matrimony.
741.08 - Marriage Not to Be Solemnized Without a License.
741.09 - Record of License and Certificate.
741.10 - Proof of Marriage Where No Certificate Available.
741.21 - Incestuous Marriages Prohibited.
741.211 - Common-Law Marriages Void.
741.212 - Marriages Between Persons of the Same Sex.
741.23 - Husband Not Liable for Wife’s Torts.
741.235 - Doctrine of Interspousal Tort Immunity Abrogated.
741.24 - Civil Action Against Parents; Willful Destruction or Theft of Property by Minor.
741.28 - Domestic Violence; Definitions.
741.281 - Court to Order Batterers’ Intervention Program Attendance.
741.283 - Minimum Term of Imprisonment for Domestic Violence.
741.2902 - Domestic Violence; Legislative Intent With Respect to Judiciary’s Role.
741.31 - Violation of an Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence.
741.313 - Unlawful Action Against Employees Seeking Protection.
741.315 - Recognition of Foreign Protection Orders.
741.316 - Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams; Definition; Membership; Duties.
741.3165 - Certain Information Exempt From Disclosure.
741.32 - Batterers’ Intervention Programs.
741.325 - Requirements for Batterers’ Intervention Programs.
741.327 - Certification and Monitoring of Batterers’ Intervention Programs; Rules.
741.401 - Legislative Findings; Purpose.
741.402 - Definitions; Ss. 741.401-741.409.
741.403 - Address Confidentiality Program; Application; Certification.
741.404 - Certification Cancellation.
741.405 - Agency Use of Designated Address.
741.406 - Voting by Program Participant; Use of Designated Address by Supervisor of Elections.
741.408 - Assistance for Program Applicants.
741.4651 - Public Records Exemption; Victims of Stalking or Aggravated Stalking.