Judge Helms' Pro Se (Unrepresented) Litigant Information

PRO SE’ (UNREPRESENTED) LITIGANT INFORMATION

Please Note: The Judicial Assistant CANNOT give the parties legal advice or discuss the facts of the case with the parties, nor is the Judicial Assistant permitted to convey information from the parties to the Judge.  The opportunity for the parties to address the Judge occurs only in open court.

Forms:  All Family Court Related forms are made available thru the Florida State Courts website. You can access the website at: www.flcourts.org, and then proceed to the Self Help section which offers the Family Law Forms.  All the forms are up-to-date, in ready-to-use format, with detailed instructions and all amendments incorporated.  The forms associated with Family Law are:

ADOPTION / ALIMONY / CHILD CUSTODY / VISITATION / TIME-SHARING /

CHILD SUPPORT / DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE-DIVORCE / GUARDIANSHIP /

INJUNCTIONS: DOMESTIC-REPEAT-SEXUAL-DATING VIOLENCE

NAME CHANGE / PARENTING PLANS / PATERNITY / STALKING

Assistance with Completion of Forms:  Contact Vanndaley Fowler, Family Court Self Help Case Manager at:  vanndaley.fowler@keyscourts.net and/or contact Legal Services of Dade/Monroe Inc. to see if you qualify for free legal advice through the bi-monthly Pro Bono Clinics offered at the Freeman Justice Center, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida.

Filing:  All pleadings must be filed with the Clerk of Court first prior to submitting any documents to the Judicial Assistant or Case Manager for the Judge’s review.

Motion Setting:   All motions, once filed with the Clerk’s office, are to be set directly with Vanndaley Fowler, Family Court Self Help Case Manager by either calling 305-295-3643 or emailing a courtesy copy of the motion to Arlene Martinez at: vanndaley.fowler@keyscourts.net

Zoom Appearance:  Zoom appearances are allowed for any hearings scheduled for 30 minutes or less.

Simplified Dissolution of Marriage:  If you and your spouse do not have children and are not expecting children and are both able to appear at a final hearing, you can obtain a simplified dissolution of marriage.  Complete the package that can be downloaded from the Florida Courts Website and reference the Family Law Forms section that will contain the forms you will need to submit to the Court.