Whereas, Florida Family Law Rule 12.750, entitled Family Self-Help Programs, was adopted by the Supreme Court of Florida allowing the Chief Judge to establish a family self-help program to assist self-represented litigants; and

Whereas, the purpose of a family self-help program is to aid self-represented litigants in achieving fair and efficient resolution of their family law cases; and

Whereas, the Family Law Self-Help Program of the Eighth Judicial Circuit has improved the efficiency of the court and has served the best interests of self-represented litigants by providing access to the family court; and

Whereas, it is necessary to set forth guidelines for the Family Law Self-Help Program of the Eighth Judicial Circuit;

It is therefore,

ORDERED as follows:

1. A Family Law Self-Help Program ("Self-Help") is hereby established for the Eighth Judicial Circuit. The procedures for this program will be established by the Administrative Judge of the Family Law Division, pursuant to Florida Family Law Rule 12.750, and will become effective upon approval by the Chief Judge.

2. Self-Help shall be available to all self-represented litigants filing family law actions in the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

3. Self-Help shall assist all self-represented litigants in meeting the procedural requirements of family law actions and shall act in accordance with the approved services provided for under Florida Family Law Rule 12.750(c).

4. Self-Help will comply with the limitations delineated under Florida Family Law Rule 12.750(d) and will utilize Supreme Court of Florida approved forms and other such forms upon approval by the Administrative Judge of the Family Law Division and Chief Judge, as provided for under Florida Family Law Rule 12.750(b)(5).

ORDERED on this 25th day of January, 1999.

/s/ ROBERT P. CATES, CHIEF JUDGE