The Florida Senate

741.0306  Creation of a family law handbook.--

(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; the determination of primary residence or custody and secondary residence or routine visitation, holiday, summer, and vacation visitation arrangements, telephone access, and the process for notice for changes.

(c)  Permanent relocation restrictions on parents with primary residential responsibility.

(d)  Child support for minor children; both parents are obligated for support in accordance with applicable child support guidelines.

(e)  Property rights, including equitable distribution, special equity, 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.