Chief Judge Bonnie Helms | Holly Elomina, Trial Court Administrator
The 16th Judicial Circuit is committed to implementing a comprehensive approach to handling all cases involving children and families, while at the same time, resolving such disputes in a fair, timely, and efficient manner. Matters such as dissolution of marriage, child custody, paternity, adoption, name change, juvenile delinquency, dependency and domestic violence injunctions are heard in family court.
The 16th Judicial Circuit uses General Magistrates along with the Circuit’s Judges to aid in the prompt resolution of family law cases at all three courthouse locations.
Key West Family Court Judges:
Honorable Bonnie J. Helms
302 Fleming St.
Key West, Florida 33040
(Family Court Cases)
Honorable Albert L. Kelley
302 Fleming St.
Key West, Florida 33040
(Domestic Violence Injunctions Only)
Marathon Location Family Court Judge:
Honorable Bonnie J. Helms
302 Fleming St., Key West, Florida 33040
(Family Court Cases and Domestic Violence Injunctions)
Plantation Key Location Family Court Judge:
Honorable Luis M. Garcia
88770 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier, Florida 33070
(Family Court Cases and Domestic Violence Injunctions)
General Magistrates
General Magistrate Holly Aliprandi
88770 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier, Florida 33070
In addition to the Self-Help Program, our Family Court Staff also provide Case Management for family court cases. Case Management is the procedure used by our circuit to monitor and move family cases through the court system in a timely and efficient manner.
Case Managers can:
Case Managers cannot:
FAMILY COURT STAFF:
Family Case Managers (excluding domestic violence injunctions):
Key West Case Managers:
Vanndaley Fowler, Family Court Case Manager
Phone: 305-295-3643
vanndaley.fowler@keyscourts.net
(For assistance with scheduling court hearings, status of orders, or procedural questions)
Marie Gann, Pro Se Self-Help Case Manager
Phone: 305-295-3647
marie.gann@keyscourts.net
(For self-help assistance with forms)
Marathon and Plantation Key Case Manager:
Shelby Porter, Family Court Case Manager/Pro Se Self-Help Case Manager
Phone: 305-853-7387
shelby.porter@keyscourts.net
(For all assistance with Marathon or Plantation Key cases)
Para ayuda en Espanol:
Rosario Barrett, 305-292-3429
The Clerk of Court can assist you with the filing of injunction petitions. Injunction packets can be obtained and filed at the Monroe County Clerk of Court location in your area. Information regarding the filing of an injunction can be found on the Monroe County Clerk of Court’s website.
An injunction for protection (also referred to as a restraining order) is a court order that directs a person not to have any contact with another person. It is a legal means of helping protect a person from threats or acts of violence by another person.
There are five (5) types of injunction petitions that can be filed with the Clerk of Courts: Domestic Violence, Repeat Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence and Stalking. Each type of injunction has different requirements based on your relationship with the other person and what occurred.
To inform litigants about the injunction process, the Office of Family Courts (OFC) has created a petitioner brochure and respondent brochure for litigants that discusses many important issues. The OFC has also created videos for litigants which explain the injunction process and what you can expect in court.
The only injunction petition type the court will consider after hours and on weekends are the Domestic Violence petitions (see below). Should you need to file a domestic violence petition after working hours or the weekend, contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at:
If you need help planning for your personal safety, you may contact the Domestic Abuse Shelter at (305)-743-4440 or a Victim Advocate from the Sheriff’s Department at (305)-809-1090.
INJUNCTION TYPES:
This injunction is available if:
This injunction is available if for victims of repeat violence by a non-family member.
This injunction is available for:
This injunction is available if you (or on behalf of your child) have been a victim of sexual violence. This Includes:
This injunction is available if you (or on behalf of your child) have been the victim of stalking or cyber stalking by the respondent.
* You must appear for your final hearing. If you are the Petitioner, your case may be dismissed if you do not appear. If you are the Respondent, a final permanent injunction may be entered in your absence. *
Domestic Violence Injunction Case Managers:
Resources:
Mediation is a process where a neutral third person called a mediator acts to encourage and facilitate the resolution of a dispute between two or more parties. It is an informal and nonadversarial process designed to help the disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable and voluntary agreement. In mediation, decision making authority rests with the parties. The mediator is not there to make a decision regarding your dispute.
Pursuant to Rule 12.740 of the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure and Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 5.037, mediation may be utilized in family law matters.
The Court may refer appropriate family law cases where the combined incomes of the parties does not exceed $100,000 per year to the Sixteenth Circuit’s Family Mediation Program.
Parties in Family Law cases with combined incomes of $100,00 or more per year are not eligible for the Circuit’s mediation program and must be referred to certified private mediators.
Court Family Mediation Program Fees:
Parties combined income is greater than $50,000 but less than $100,000: $120 per party for a three-hour session.
Parties combined income is less than $50,000: $60 for per party for a three-hour session.
The fees for mediation must be paid in advance of the mediation conference to the Clerk of Court. If mediation fees are not paid, a judgment lien may be assessed against you. If the mediation exceeds the initial three-hour session, the parties may be assessed additional fees for each subsequent three-hour session.
Notice: Pursuant to statute, when a mediation is scheduled and noticed, assessed fees are due whether or not the parties appear for scheduled mediation.
For further information, please refer to the Order Setting Mediation and Assessing Fees you received setting the mediation.
Self-Represented Litigants (SRL) are encouraged to sign up for the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, a free service that allows parties to file pleadings online, as well as receive electronic communications from the courts about their cases.
Registration is available at www.myflcourtaccess.com
The e-filing Portal User Manual, which include instructions for the self-represented litigants, can be downloaded here. https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/training-materials
E-filing Portal training videos for the Self-Represented Litigant can be found here. https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/training-videos
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Copyright 2025Ⓒ 16th Judicial Circuit of Florida
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