Which law book do lawyers use?
There is no single book used by every lawyer. For Florida family matters, a useful published reference is The Florida Bar’s Florida Family Law Set (Rules and Statutes). Practice books help organize the subject. Current legal authority still needs to be checked.
The starting library
- Chapter 742: Determination of Parentage
- Section 61.13: Parenting, time-sharing, and support
- Section 744.301: Natural guardians
- The Florida Bar: Current court rules
- Florida Courts: Official family law forms
- 15th Circuit: Local family forms and orders
- Palm Beach Clerk: Paternity resources
Dates matter.
A form can remain available while parts of its instructions lag behind a newer rule. We compare them, identify the exact provision, and show the date the sources were checked.
The Legislature warns that its 2026 statutory edition can include changes taking effect as late as January 1, 2027. We therefore check relevant effective dates rather than relying on the edition year alone. Read the Legislature’s publication notice.
An upcoming change already on our review list
The Florida Supreme Court’s September 10, 2026 order changes the family-law forms naming and maintenance framework effective October 1, 2026. It does not mean the existing forms must be discarded. Materials used after that date need a fresh check.
What a source check means here
The first lesson was checked against the identified primary sources on September 15, 2026. This is a limited educational review, not an exhaustive review of every relevant case or a legal opinion. No attorney has reviewed or endorsed it, and the Academy does not currently provide continuous legal-update monitoring.
Help us correct an error.
If you notice a citation error or changed rule, email julio@parentingcaseacademy.com with the page link and the official source. Keep the message general; do not include confidential case documents.