Other Family Issues

Other family law cases include adoptions, paternity, name change, child custody, and annulment.

Adoptions are confidential. All papers and records pertaining to the adoption, including the original birth certificate, are confidential and subject to inspection only upon order of the court.
Paternity cases can be filed by any woman who is pregnant or has a child, any man who has reason to believe that he is/is not the father of a child, or any child may bring proceedings in the circuit court to determine the paternity of the child when paternity has not been established by law or otherwise.
Name changes for adults or minor children
Annulment of a marriage
Termination of parental rights proceedings pursuant to Section 63.087, Florida Statutes
Emancipation removal of non-age
Add termination of parental rights and emancipation

Self-Help Family Law Forms

Self-help forms are available for those who wish to represent themselves in the following civil proceedings. These forms are available for purchase in the Juvenile Courthouse first floor Family Law office or from the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure website.

Packet Name

County Civil / Small Claims

Forms & Documents

County Civil ($8,001 to $50,000)

All matters involving claims ranging from $8,001 through $50,000 in damages, exclusive of interest, court costs and attorney fees. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

Mortgage foreclosures (less than $50,000)
Complaint for interpleader
Equity matters (monetary)
Matters involving claims ranging from $8,001 through $50,000

Motor Vehicle Act

For persons who have been quoted a certain price for auto repairs, but the repairman will not release the car until an amount over the agreed upon amount is paid. This is not to recover money, but to get the automobile returned.

Other County Civil (non-monetary)

All other non-monetary civil matters not included in the previous described categories, but is not limited to county civil lawsuits involving:

Equity matters (Non-monetary)
Injunctive relief
Declaratory judgments

Replevins

All lawsuits pursuant to Chapter 78, Florida Statutes, involving claims up to $50,000.

Small Claims

All matters involving claims up to and including $8,000 in damages, exclusive of interest, court costs and attorney fees.

Solicitors’ Permits

For persons wishing to apply for a peddlers/solicitors sales permit. Solicitor’s permits are now being handled by Bay County Code Enforcement. Their office is located on the 2nd floor of the Government Building: 840 W. 11th Street Panama City, FL 32401 Phone (850)-248-8290. To access their website click here.

Contact information

Bay County Clerk’s Office County Civil Room 105 300 East 4th Street Panama City, FL 32401 phone (850)763-9061 fax (850)747-5249. Email Small Claims.

Circuit Civil

NOTICE: CIRCUIT CIVIL MATTERS CAN BE VERY TECHNICAL AND COMPLICATED PROCEDURES, AND AS SUCH, YOU MAY WISH TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY AND THOROUGHLY REVIEW THE FLORIDA STATUTES AND THE FLORIDA RULES OF PROCEDURE BEFORE PROCEEDING. THE CLERK’S OFFICE DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY FORMS RELATED TO ANY OF THESE PROCEDURES.

Claims of $50,000 and above are the responsibility of Circuit Civil Division.

Forms & Documents

Auto Negligence

All matters resulting from personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death arising out of a party’s alleged negligent operation of a motor vehicle, as defined in section 316.003, Florida Statutes. That is, any self-propelled vehicle not operated upon rails or guide way, but not including bicycles or mopeds. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

Automobiles
Trucks
Buses
Motorcycles

Other Negligence

All matters relating to liability lawsuits involving negligence related to death, injury, or damage to property or property interests, including claims for statutory relief on account of death or injury, and including but not limited to the following:

Watercraft
Asbestos-related diseases

Professional Malpractice

All medical, legal, or other professional malpractice lawsuits.

Product Liability

All matters involving the alleged responsibility of the manufacturer or seller of an article causing injury to persons or property by a defect in, or condition of, the article sold, or an alleged breach of duty to provide suitable instructions to prevent injury.

Condominium

All civil lawsuits pursuant to Chapter 718, Florida Statutes. A condominium association (not condominium unit) must be a party in the lawsuit.

Contract and Indebtedness

All contract actions and all actions relating to promissory notes and other debts, including those arising from the sale of goods, and including, but not limited to the following:

Uniform Commercial Code litigation
Open accounts
Money lent
Breach of contract
Breach of lease agreement
Breach of insurance contract
Construction liens (formerly mechanics’ liens)
Evictions

Real Property / Mortgage Foreclosure

All matters relating to the possession, title and boundaries of real property including:

Purchase
Partition
Quieting title and removing encumbrances
Seals reformation
Rescissions and cancellation
Ejectment actions
All matters relating to the involvement of legal and equitable liens
against real property including foreclosures and sales, and
foreclosures associated with condominiums

Eminent Domain

All matters relating to the taking of private property for public use including inverse condemnation by state agencies, political subdivisions and public service corporations.

Enforcement of Lien By Sale of Motor Vehicle

Florida Statute 713.585. A person claiming a lien under s. 713.58 for performing labor or services on a motor vehicle.

Court Registry Surplus

Click here for the Court Registry Surplus

Other Civil

All civil matters not included in the previously described categories. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

Declaratory judgments
Injunctions
Administrative agency appeals
Bond estreatures
Replevins
Habeas corpus proceedings
Forfeitures
Interpleader