COAST TO COAST
LEGAL AID OF
SOUTH FLORIDA

About Coast To Coast

Services

THE FAMILY LAW UNIT OF COAST TO COAST LEGAL AID OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC.

The Family Law Unit primarily focuses on representing victims of domestic violence in family law matters. We provide representation at the final hearing for Final Judgment of Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence (Restraining Orders). We also provide advice and counsel in Injunction matters. Victims of domestic violence are exempt from Legal Aid income restrictions in Injunction matters. For more information on how to obtain an injunction, please read the article below entitled "How to Obtain an Injunction."

We provide advice and counsel in a wide variety of family law matters. We represent victims of domestic violence in Dissolution of Marriage cases (divorce), custody litigation and custody jurisdictional challenges. We make referrals to a variety of agencies if we cannot help you. For more information on community agencies, please read the article below entitled "Agencies That May Be Able to Help You With Family Law Related Issues." Below you will also see a list of links to related web sites which may provide additional aid and information.

The Pro Se Self Help Desk at the Courthouse is for individuals representing themselves ("pro se"). It helps these individuals move their cases along. For more information about the Pro Se Help Desk, please read the article below entitled "Self Help Desk at the Courthouse."

You can contact the Family Law Unit of Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. for initial screening:

by phone at

  • 954-736-2489 (Last Name A-I); or
  • 954-736-2495 (Last Name K-Z)

or by visiting our office Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

TO OBTAIN AN INJUNCTION:

The Domestic Violence Intake Unit will help you complete the paperwork necessary to ask the Court for an INJUNCTION FOR PROTECTION AGAINST DOMESTIC, REPEAT, DATING OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE (Restraining Order). If you are a victim of domestic, repeat, dating or sexual violence and you are in genuine fear, this service will assist you in filing the papers to petition the Court for an Injunction for protection against the abuser.

Location:

Clerk of Court - Domestic Violence Unit of Family Court Services
BROWARD COUNTY COURT
201 Southeast Sixth Street, Room 248
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Information Phone Line 954-831-7693
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Procedure:

DO NOT BRING CHILDREN!

***Bring money for parking!

This process can take 3-7 hours!

  1. Sign in to indicate that you want to obtain an Injunction.
  2. Complete all documents asking for an injunction.
  3. You will be told about the Injunction process including the Emergency packet for service, service of process, the possible orders the Judge may enter temporarily, and the Final Hearing.
  4. Go to the Domestic Violence clerk and file your papers asking for the Injunction.
  5. You may speak with a caseworker to confidentially discuss your safety needs, and obtain referrals for counseling, shelters, or other community agencies.
  6. You will then wait for the receipt of an Order from the Judge. ***lf you intend to have an Attorney represent you at the Final Hearing, be sure to also get a copy of the Petition for Injunction that you filed, so that the Attorney can review this information!***
  7. You must appear at any follow up hearing date that is indicated in the Order or the Injunction will likely be dismissed.

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. may be able to provide you with free legal representation at your return hearing. Coast to Coast is located at 491 N. State Road 7 in Plantation, Florida, 954-736-2400.

*lf Emergency Injunction is needed after hours: Call Henderson Clinic Crisis Line at 954-463-0911.

SELF-HELP DESK AT THE COURTHOUSE

Clerk of Court Pro Se Self Help Unit of Family Court Services-Sale Of Pro Se Forms
BROWARD COUNTY COURT
201 Southeast Sixth Street, Room 248
Information Phone Line 954-831-7693
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

A variety of Family Law forms are offered for sale.These same forms can be accessed at www.flcourts.org. Go to the Self Help section and print free copies of family law forms. All documents must then be filed by the individual by themselves. Please note: the staff cannot provide legal advice. Florida prohibits the unlicensed practice of law which puts both the person seeking information and the person giving information at risk. Seek only qualified and licensed legal counsel.

AGENCIES THAT MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH FAMILY LAW RELATED ISSUES

Family Court Services
Broward County Courthouse
201 S.E. Sixth Street, Room 248
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
954-831-7693
www.clerk-17th-flcourts.org
*Help in completing Petitions for Injunction against Domestic Violence
*Sells self-help packets for family law matters
Open 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Women In Distress
1153 Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
(Corner of Davie Blvd. and Andrews Avenue)
954-761-1133 Emergency
954-760-9800 Office
www.womenindistress.org
Crisis counseling for victims of domestic violence and their children. Emergency shelter.

Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center
3500 N. State Road 7, Suite 351
Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
954-733-6068
Residential housing and/or services for women (and their children) needing treatment for alcohol and drug abuse.
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Department of Revenue
1900 W. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
1-800-622-5437
Establishes paternity and child support. Can also enforce some existing support orders.
Open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
www.mvflorida.com/dor

Support Enforcement Division (S.E.D.)
540 S.E. 3rd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
954-357-8800
Can enforce child support and alimony orders if Court Ordered to be paid through S.E.D.
Open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
To view your account online, go to: www.broward.org/support

Broward Sheriffs Office
www.sheriff.org

Broward County Bar Association
1051 S.E. 3rd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
954-764-5111
954-764-8040
*Low cost legal services for family law, consumer and landlord tenant issues.
*Lawyer referral service.

Florida Department of Child & Families and Economic Self Sufficiency Services:

Central:
311 N. State Rd. 7
Plantation, Florida 954-327-5000

South:
7261 Sheridan Street
Hollywood, Florida

North:
1801 W. Sample Road
Pompano Beach,
954-969-3400

North Broward:
1400 W. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
954-267-2000

Hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.


These offices determine eligibility for cash assistance, food stamps and medicaid, or apply online at: www. mvflorida.com/accessflorida/

Women Investigating New Goals and Services - WINGS
1000 Coconut Creek Blvd. (BCC North)
Coconut Creek, Florida 33066
954-201-2398

- and -


7200 Hollywood-Pines Blvd. (BCC South)
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024
954-201-8874
Free career counseling and job placement.

Self Help Forms Approved by Florida Supreme Court
www.flcourts.org
Go to the "Self Help" section and print copies of family law forms.

Broward Victims Rights Coalition
www.browardvictimsrights.org

Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
www.fcadv.org

Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center
www.fiacfla.org

National Council Against Domestic Violence
www.ncadv.org