Title: In Re: Amendments To The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, The Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, And The Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure – Implementation of The Commission on District Court of Appeal Performance And Accountability Recommendations
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC08-1724
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: November 12, 2009

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Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
_____________ 
 
No. SC08-1724 
_____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF JUDICIAL 
ADMINISTRATION, THE FLORIDA RULES OF JUVENILE 
PROCEDURE, AND THE FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE 
PROCEDURE—IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION ON 
DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL PERFORMANCE AND 
ACCOUNTABILITY RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
[November 12, 2009] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
This matter is before the Court for consideration of proposed amendments to 
the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, the Florida Rules of Juvenile 
Procedure, and the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.1  The proposed 
amendments implement recommendations of the Commission on District Court of 
Appeal Performance and Accountability (Commission) concerning its study of 
delay in dependency and termination of parental rights appeals. 
 
 
                                          
 
 
1.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
 
 
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BACKGROUND 
In June 2007, the Commission submitted to this Court its Supplemental 
Report and Recommendations Regarding the Study of Delay in 
Dependency/Parental Termination Appeals (Supplemental Report).  The 
Supplemental Report contained a number of recommendations and discussion of 
the changes needed to reduce delay, with a proposed 195-day timeline for 
processing these appeals from rendition of a final judgment to rendition of an 
opinion on appeal.  The Commission identified two areas in which improvements 
would be essential to the success of the proposed timeline:  reduction in the time 
for appointment of appellate counsel and reduction in the time for securing the 
transcript of proceedings.  To achieve these improvements, the Commission made 
the following recommendations: (1) require that an adjudication of dependency or 
final judgment of termination of parental rights set forth all of the specific days on 
which the hearing occurred; (2) provide that a parent’s indigent status shall be 
presumed to continue for purposes of appeal unless revoked by the trial court; (3) 
require that a motion for appointment of appellate counsel and authorization of 
payment of transcription costs be filed with the notice of appeal and that the trial 
judge be served with a copy of the notice of appeal and motion for appointment of 
appellate counsel; (4) require that directions to the clerk and designations to the 
court reporter be filed with the notice of appeal and that the designations be served 
 
 
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on the court reporter; (5) require that the designation to the reporter include the 
name of the court reporter and provide twenty days for transcription; (6) require 
that transcription of hearings for appeals of dependency and parental termination 
orders be given priority over transcription of all other proceedings; (7) require the 
clerk of the court to complete and file the record on appeal within five days after 
receiving the transcript on appeal and serve copies of the record on the parties; (8) 
require that the initial brief be filed within twenty days of service of the record on 
appeal, the answer brief within twenty days of service of the initial brief, and the 
reply brief within ten days of service of the answer brief; (9) provide that motions 
for extension of time be granted only for good cause shown and only for the 
necessary amount of time; (10) require that a request for oral argument be served 
with the party’s first brief; (11) permit fifteen days to file a motion for rehearing 
and require no response unless ordered by the court; and (12) eliminate the 
additional time for issuance of mandate after the denial of rehearing.  The 
Commission also recommended that the juvenile rules cross-reference the appellate 
rule applicable to dependency and termination of parental rights appeals so that 
trial attorneys are aware of the specific requirements in filing these appeals, that 
the judicial administration rules be amended to set forth a sixty-day time standard 
for decisions by the district courts of appeal in dependency and parental 
termination cases, and that appellate courts be required to follow the procedure set 
 
 
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forth in N.S.H. v. Florida Dep’t of Children and Family Serv’s, 843 So. 2d 898 
(Fla. 2003), when allowing appellate counsel to withdraw.2 
By letter dated October 9, 2007, former Chief Justice Lewis referred the 
Commission’s recommendations, along with a set of draft rule amendments, to the 
Appellate Court Rules Committee, the Juvenile Court Rules Committee, and the 
Rules of Judicial Administration Committee.  The rules committees were asked to 
work together to analyze the draft amendments and Commission 
recommendations, and to propose any amendments to the rules or forms deemed 
necessary to implement the Commission’s recommendations. 
 
On July 15, 2008, the rules committees filed a joint report proposing 
amendments based on the Court’s suggested draft amendments and the 
Commission’s recommendations.  The committees’ proposals were in accord with 
the Commission’s recommendations, with one exception.  In addition to proposed 
rule amendments implementing the Commission’s recommendations, the 
                                          
 
 
2.  In N.S.H., the Court held: 
[W]here appellate counsel seeks leave to withdraw from 
representation of an indigent parent in a termination of parental rights 
case, the motion to withdraw shall be served on the client and contain 
a certification that after a conscientious review of the record the 
attorney has determined in good faith that there are no meritorious 
grounds on which to base an appeal.  The parent shall then be 
provided the opportunity to file a brief on his or her own behalf. 
N.S.H., 843 So. 2d at 904. 
 
 
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committees also proposed an amendment to Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 
9.146 to list specific types of appealable final and nonfinal orders in dependency 
and termination of parental rights cases.3  Although such an approach was 
disfavored by the Commission, the stated purpose of this amendment was to 
promote consistency and lessen confusion in the handling of dependency and 
parental termination cases in the district courts, thus serving the objectives of 
expediting the disposition of these cases. 
 
The proposed amendments were published for comment in The Florida Bar 
News.  Comments were filed by the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. 
(Legal Aid), the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Program (GAL), and the Florida 
Department of Children and Families (DCF).  The Commission and the rules 
committees filed responses to the comments. 
AMENDMENTS 
 
Upon consideration of the Commission’s Supplemental Report, the rules 
committees’ joint report, the comments filed with regard to the proposed 
amendments and the responses thereto, and the presentations of the parties at oral 
argument, which was heard in this matter on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, we amend the 
                                          
 
 
3.  The Juvenile Court Rules Committee did not concur with the proposal to 
amend rule 9.146 to list types of appealable nonfinal orders. 
 
 
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Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, 
and the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure as explained below. 
Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 
 
First, consistent with the Commission’s recommendation and the rules 
committees’ proposal, Rule of Judicial Administration 2.250(a)(2) is amended to 
state that a district court of appeal should render a decision in juvenile dependency 
and termination of parental rights cases within sixty, rather than the standard one 
hundred eighty, days of oral argument or submission of the case to the court panel 
for a decision without oral argument.  We agree with the Commission that 
―[p]roviding a limited time standard for preparation of a decision provides a policy 
statement that the expedition of these cases is important to the judiciary of the 
state.‖  
 
Additionally, Rule of Judicial Administration 2.535(i) is amended to require 
that transcription of hearings for appeals of dependency and termination of parental 
rights orders be given priority over transcription of other proceedings unless the 
court orders otherwise.  In response to the Commission’s recommendation in this 
regard, the Rules of Judicial Administration Committee proposed an amendment 
providing that transcripts in dependency and termination of parental rights cases 
―should, to the extent possible,‖ be given priority.  However, given the importance 
the Commission placed on this feature of its overall recommendations, we 
 
 
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conclude that requiring priority for such transcripts, unless otherwise ordered by a 
court, is the appropriate measure. 
Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure4 
 
New Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.276, Appeal Proceedings, is adopted, 
stating that appeals in dependency and termination of parental rights cases are 
governed by Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.146.  This amendment was proposed 
by the rules committees in response to the Commission’s recommendation that the 
juvenile rules cross-reference the applicable appellate rule so that trial attorneys 
and parties are aware of the requirements in filing appeals in these cases. 
 
Next, Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.525, Adjudicatory Hearings, form 8.983, 
Adjudication Order and Judgment of Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, 
and form 8.984, Judgment of Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights, are 
amended in response to the Commission’s recommendation that an adjudication of 
dependency or a final judgment of termination of parental rights should set forth all 
of the specific days on which the hearing occurred.  A sentence is added to 
                                          
 
 
4.  In addition to amendments based on the Commission’s recommendations, 
the Juvenile Court Rules Committee also proposed several other amendments to 
the Rules of Juvenile Procedure.  The committee proposed amending rule 8.330, 
Adjudicatory Hearings, to clarify dismissals in dependency proceedings and 
proposed new rule 8.332, Order Finding Dependency, to govern orders finding 
dependency and create a procedure for the court when withholding adjudication in 
a dependency case, as allowed by section 39.507(5), Florida Statutes (2008).  We 
adopt new rule 8.332 as proposed by the Committee, and we adopt the 
amendments to rule 8.330 with minor modifications.  
 
 
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subdivision 8.525(i)(1), Terminating Parental Rights, providing that the court must 
include the dates of the adjudicatory hearing in an order terminating parental 
rights.  Similarly, forms 8.983 and 8.9845 are amended to require that all dates of 
the adjudicatory hearing be provided in the order.  
Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 
In response to the Commission’s recommendations with regard to specific 
procedures for appeals in dependency and termination of parental rights cases, the 
committees proposed and we adopt several amendments to Rule of Appellate 
Procedure 9.146, Appeal Proceedings in Juvenile Dependency and Termination of 
Parental Rights Cases and Cases Involving Families and Children in Need of 
Services.  Most importantly, new subdivision (g), Special Procedures and Time 
Limitations Applicable to Appeals of Final Orders in Dependency or Termination 
of Parental Rights Proceedings, is added setting forth new procedures intended to 
expedite appeals of final orders in dependency and termination of parental rights 
cases.  The new procedures implement the Commission’s recommendations with 
regard to motions for appointment of appellate counsel, preparation of transcripts 
                                          
 
 
5.  Form 8.984 is also amended to conform with amendments made to form 
8.983 in 2006.  See In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, 
939 So. 2d 74, 89 (Fla. 2006).  Changes include a check-off list of those present for 
the hearing, breaking the finding on execution of voluntary surrenders into separate 
paragraphs for the mother and father, and adding each specific finding that the 
court is required to make under section 39.810(1)–(11), Florida Statutes (2008).  A 
style correction is also made. 
 
 
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and the record on appeal, times for filing and service of briefs, requests for oral 
argument, motions to withdraw by appellate counsel, motions for rehearing, and 
issuance of mandate.6 
Due to the many concerns raised by the comments filed in this case, we 
decline to adopt the proposed amendments that would have created new 
subdivisions 9.146(c)(1) and (2), setting forth lists of appealable final and nonfinal 
orders.  As noted, this approach, at least with regard to a listing of appealable 
nonfinal orders, was expressly disfavored by the Commission, and we conclude 
that at this point, preservation of the status quo is the preferable resolution.  
Similarly, due to concerns raised in the comments, we also decline to adopt the 
proposed amendments to the stay provisions in rule 9.146. 
Finally, rule 9.430, Proceedings by Indigents, is amended to add new 
subdivision (d), providing that an appellate court may, in its discretion, presume 
that a party in juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases who 
has been declared indigent in the lower court remains indigent for purposes of 
appeal.  This amendment was proposed in response to the Commission’s 
                                          
 
 
6.  As proposed, we also amend subdivision 9.146(a), Applicability, and 
subdivision 9.146(b), Who May Appeal.  Subdivision (a) is reworded and 
subdivision (b) is amended to delete the term ―legal custodian of the child.‖  
Additionally, rule 9.340(b), Extension of Time for Issuance of Mandate, is 
amended to accommodate the amendment to rule 9.146 requiring the clerk, in 
dependency and termination of parental rights appeals, to issue mandate as soon as 
practicable. 
 
 
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recommendation that in order to expedite appointment of appellate counsel and 
obtaining the transcript on appeal, a parent’s indigent status be presumed to 
continue for purposes of appeal unless revoked by the trial court.  
CONCLUSION 
Accordingly, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, the Florida Rules 
of Juvenile Procedure, and the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure are hereby 
amended as set forth in the appendix to this opinion.  New language is 
underscored; deleted language is struck through.  Committee notes are offered for 
explanation only and are not adopted as an official part of the rules.  The 
amendments shall become effective immediately. 
We thank the Commission, the rules committees, and the interested parties 
filing comments in this case for their hard work and valuable input in this very 
important area. 
It is so ordered. 
QUINCE, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, CANADY, POLSTON, LABARGA, 
and PERRY, JJ., concur. 
PARIENTE, J., concurs with an opinion, in which CANADY, LABARGA, and 
PERRY, JJ., concur. 
 
 
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND 
IF FILED, DETERMINED. 
 
 
 
 
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PARIENTE, J., concurring. 
 
I wholeheartedly concur with the Court’s adoption of the recommendations 
of the Commission on District Court Performance and Accountability to address 
ongoing issues of unnecessary delay in dependency and termination of parental 
rights appeals.7  The Commission’s recommendations and this Court’s adoption of 
these amendments are based on the recognition that for every day of delay on 
appeal, which is added to the length of the prior ongoing court proceedings, the 
future of the child is in limbo to his or her potential detriment.  See, e.g., N.S.H. v. 
Fla. Dep’t of Children & Family Servs., 843 So. 2d 898, 903 (Fla. 2003) 
(recognizing that any delay in the disposition of a case concerning the termination 
of parental rights could result in potential detriment to the child).  As the 
Commission stated: 
While courts, Congress, and state legislatures have become 
more cognizant of the harmful effects of delay in dependency and 
parental termination trial proceedings on the welfare of children, 
recently that inspection has included the time delay on appeal.  
Children are affected by delay in court proceedings far more than are 
businesses or adults, because their sense of time is different than 
adults and the need for attachment to promote healthy children is 
great. 
                                          
 
7.  I also commend the hard work of everyone involved, including the 
Commission’s initial Chair, Judge Martha Warner, and its present Chair, Judge 
William Van Nortwick. 
 
 
 
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Report of the District Court of Appeal Performance & Accountability Commission 
on Delay in Child Dependency/Termination of Parental Rights Appeals at 1 
(footnote omitted).  Without sacrificing the goal of deciding cases correctly, and 
with due regard for the interests of the parents whose rights are being terminated, 
those of us on the appellate courts and the Supreme Court must also endeavor to 
decide these cases in ―child time.‖   
Although each district court and this Court have previously had their own 
procedures in place for expediting child cases, with the adoption of these 
amendments, we take significant steps in ensuring uniformity statewide and 
ensuring that cases involving children proceed as promptly as possible while on 
appeal.  However, these rules will work only as long as all concerned—the 
litigants, the court reporters, and the appellate courts—make a commitment to 
track these cases and truly embrace the notion that each day, each week, and each 
month of delay on appeal is time that the child’s future remains uncertain—that the 
child remains in limbo to his or her potential long-lasting detriment.8     
CANADY, LABARGA, and PERRY, JJ., concur. 
 
 
 
                                          
 
8.  For example, one recurring problem is that of delay in obtaining the 
transcript of the proceedings in the trial court, which clearly is unacceptable.  With 
the adoption of these rules, we take important steps toward solving this problem.   
 
 
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Original Proceeding – Appellate Court Rules Committee, Juvenile Court Rules 
Committee, and Rules of Judicial Administration Committee 
 
John G. Crabtree, Chair, Appellate Court Rules Committee, Jacksonville, Florida, 
John S. Mills, Past Chair, Jacksonville, Florida, and David K. Miller of Broad and 
Cassel, Tallahassee, Florida;  Charles H. Davis, Chair, Juvenile Court Rules 
Committee, Jacksonville, Florida, and David Neal Silverstein, Past Chair, Tampa, 
Florida; Judge Lisa Davidson, Chair, Judicial Administration Committee, 
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Viera, Florida, Scott M. Dimond, Past Chair, Miami, 
Florida, and Katherine E. Giddings of Akerman Senterfitt, Tallahassee, Florida; 
John F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director, The Florida Bar, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
Anthony C. Musto, Special Counsel, Hallandale Beach, Florida and Jeffrey Dana 
Gillen, Statewide Appeals Director, West Palm Beach, Florida on behalf of Florida 
Department of Children and Families ; John Walsh and William W. Booth, Legal 
Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc., West Palm Beach, Florida; Thomas 
Wade Young, Winter Park, Florida, and Richard C. Komando, Jacksonville, 
Florida, on behalf of Guardian ad Litem Program; Judge William A. Van 
Nortwick, Chair, Commission on District Court of Appeal Performance and 
Accountability, First District Court of Appeal, Tallahassee, Florida;  
 
 
Responding with Comments 
 
 
 
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APPENDIX 
RULE 2.250. 
TIME STANDARDS FOR TRIAL AND APPELLATE 
COURTS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
 
 
(a) 
Time Standards.  The following time standards are hereby 
established as a presumptively reasonable time period for the completion of cases 
in the trial and appellate courts of this state.  It is recognized that there are cases 
that, because of their complexity, present problems that cause reasonable delays.  
However, most cases should be completed within the following time periods: 
 
 
 
(1) 
[No change] 
 
 
 
(2) 
Supreme Court and District Courts of Appeal Time 
Standards: Rendering a decision—within 180 days of either oral argument or the 
submission of the case to the court panel for a decision without oral argument, 
except in juvenile dependency or termination of parental rights cases, in which a 
decision should be rendered within 60 days of either oral argument or submission 
of the case to the court panel for a decision without oral argument. 
 
 
 
(3) 
[No change] 
 
 
 
(4) 
[No change] 
 
 
(b) 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 2.535. 
COURT REPORTING 
 
 
(a)–(i) 
[No change] 
 
 
(j) 
Juvenile Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights Cases.  
Transcription of hearings for appeals of orders in juvenile dependency and 
termination of parental rights cases shall be given priority, consistent with rule 
2.215(g), over transcription of all other proceedings, unless otherwise ordered by 
the court based upon a demonstrated exigency. 
 
Committee Note 
[No change] 
 
 
 
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RULE 8.276. 
APPEAL PROCEDURES 
 
 
Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.146 generally governs appeals in 
juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases. 
 
 
RULE 8.330.  
ADJUDICATORY HEARINGS  
 
 
(a)–(d) 
[No change] 
 
 
(e) 
Motion for Judgment of Dismissal.  In all proceedings, if at the 
close of the evidence for the petitioner the court is of the opinion that the evidence 
is insufficient to warrant a finding of dependency, it may, and on the motion of any 
party shall, enter an order dismissing the petition for insufficiency of the evidence 
or find that allegations in the petition have not been sustained. If the court finds 
that allegations in the petition have not been sustained but does not dismiss the 
petition, the parties, including all parents, shall continue to receive pleadings, 
notices, and documents and to have the right to be heard. 
 
 
(f) 
Dismissal.  If the court shall find that the allegations in the petition 
have not been sustained, it shall enter an order dismissing the case for insufficiency 
of the evidence or find that allegations in the petition have not been sustained. If 
the court finds that allegations in the petition have not been sustained but does not 
dismiss the petition, the parties, including all parents, shall continue to receive 
pleadings, notices, and documents and to have the right to be heard. 
 
 
(g) 
Findings and Orders. In all cases in which dependency is 
established: 
 
 
 
(1) 
The court shall enter a written order stating the legal basis for a 
finding of dependency, specifying the facts upon which the finding of dependency 
is based, and stating whether the court made the finding by a preponderance of the 
evidence or by clear and convincing evidence. 
 
 
 
(2) 
The court shall advise the parents that if the parents fail to 
substantially comply with the case plan, their parental rights may be terminated. 
 
 
 
(3) 
If the child is in out-of-home placement, the court shall inquire 
of the parents whether the parents have relatives who might be considered as 
 
 
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placement for the child. The parents shall provide to the court and all parties 
identification and location information for the relatives. 
 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 8.332. 
ORDER FINDING DEPENDENCY 
 
(a) 
Finding of Dependency.  In all cases in which dependency is 
established, the court shall enter a written order stating the legal basis for a finding 
of dependency, specifying the facts upon which the finding of dependency is 
based, and stating whether the court made the finding by a preponderance of the 
evidence or by clear and convincing evidence.  The court shall include the dates of 
the adjudicatory hearing, if any, in the order. 
 
 
(b) 
Adjudication of Dependency.  If the court finds that the child named 
in the petition is dependent, the court shall enter an order adjudicating the child 
dependent if the child is placed or will continue to be placed in an out-of-home 
placement.  The court may enter an order adjudicating the child dependent if the 
child remains in or is returned to the home.  The court shall conduct a disposition 
hearing. 
 
 
(c) 
Withhold of Adjudication of Dependency. 
 
 
 
(1) 
If the court finds that the child named in the petition is 
dependent, but finds that no action other than supervision in the child’s home is 
required, it may enter an order briefly stating the facts on which its finding is 
based, but withholding an order of adjudication and placing the child in the child’s 
home under the supervision of the department.  The department shall file a case 
plan and the court shall review the case plan pursuant to these rules. 
 
 
 
(2) 
If the court later finds that the parents of the child have not 
complied with the conditions of supervision imposed, including the case plan, the 
court may, after a hearing to establish the noncompliance, but without further 
evidence of the state of dependency, enter an order of adjudication and shall 
thereafter have full authority under this chapter to provide for the child as 
adjudicated.  If the child is to remain in an out-of-home placement by order of the 
court, the court must adjudicate the child dependent.  If the court adjudicates the 
child dependent, the court shall then conduct a disposition hearing. 
 
 
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(d) 
Failure to Substantially Comply.  The court shall advise the parents 
that if the parents fail to substantially comply with the case plan, their parental 
rights may be terminated. 
 
 
(e) 
Inquiry Regarding Relatives for Placement.  If the child is in out-
of-home placement, the court shall inquire of the parents whether the parents have 
relatives who might be considered as placement for the child.  The parents shall 
provide to the court and all parties identification and location information for the 
relatives. 
 
 
RULE 8.525.  
ADJUDICATORY HEARINGS  
 
 
(a)–(h)  [No change] 
 
(i) 
Final Judgment. 
 
 
(1) 
Terminating Parental Rights.  If the court finds after all of the 
evidence has been presented that the elements and one of the grounds for 
termination of parental rights have been established by clear and convincing 
evidence, the court shall enter a final judgment terminating parental rights and 
proceed with dispositional alternatives as provided by law.  The order must contain 
the findings of fact and conclusions of law on which the decision was based.  The 
court shall include the dates of the adjudicatory hearing in the order.  The parties 
may stipulate, or the court may order, that parents or relatives of the parent whose 
rights are terminated be allowed to maintain some contact with the child.  If the 
court orders continued contact, the nature and frequency of this contact must be 
stated in a written order.  The visitation order may be reviewed on motion of any 
party, including a prospective adoptive parent, and must be reviewed by the court 
at the time the child is placed for adoption. 
 
 
 
(2)–(3)  [No change] 
 
 
FORM 8.983. 
ADJUDICATION ORDER AND JUDGMENT OF 
         
 
INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF PARENTAL 
         
 
RIGHTS 
 
ORDER OF ADJUDICATION AND 
JUDGMENT OF INVOLUNTARY 
TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS 
 
 
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THIS CAUSE came before this court on .....(all dates of the adjudicatory hearing)..... for an 
adjudicatory hearing on the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights filed by .....(name)...... 
Present before the court were: 
 
.....(Name)..... , Petitioner 
.....(Name)..... , Attorney for the petitioner 
.....(Name)..... , Attorney for the department 
.....(Name)..... , Department caseworker 
.....(Name)..... , Child 
.....(Name)..... , Attorney for Child 
.....(Name)..... , Mother 
.....(Name)..... , Attorney for mother 
.....(Name)..... , Father of .....(child)..... 
.....(Name)..... , Attorney for father 
.....(Name)..... , Guardian ad litem 
.....(Name)..... , Attorney for guardian ad litem 
.....(Name)..... , Legal custodian 
.....(Name)..... , Attorney for legal custodian 
.....(Name)..... , Other ................... 
 
The court has carefully considered and weighed the testimony of all witnesses. The court has 
received and reviewed all exhibits. 
 
COMMENT: Add the following only if necessary. 
 
The petitioner has sought termination of the parental rights of .....(parent(s)) who is/are subject 
of petition)....... 
 
The court finds that the parent(s), .....(name(s))....., has/have .....(list grounds proved)....., under 
chapter 39, Florida Statutes. The grounds were proved by clear and convincing evidence. Further, 
the court finds that termination of parental rights of the parent(s), .....name(s)....., is clearly in the 
manifest best interests of the child(ren). The findings of fact and conclusions of law supporting this 
decision are as follows: 
 
1. At all stages of these proceedings the parent(s) was/were advised of his/her/their right to 
legal counsel, or was/were in fact represented by counsel. 
 
2. On or about .....(date(s))....., the following occurred: .....(acts which were basis for 
dependency or TPR, if filed directly)...... 
 
3. The mother has .....(grounds for TPR)..... the minor child(ren) within the meaning and intent 
of section 39.806, Florida Statutes, in that: .....(findings that form the statutory basis for 
grounds)...... 
 
4. The father has .....(grounds for TPR)..... the minor child(ren) within the meaning and intent 
of section 39.806, Florida Statutes, in that: .....(findings that form the statutory basis for 
grounds)...... 
 
5. The minor child(ren) to whom ..…(parent’s(s’) name(s))….. parental rights are being 
terminated are at substantial risk of significant harm.  Termination of parental rights is the least 
restrictive means to protect the child(ren) from harm. 
 
 
 
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6. Under the provisions of sections 39.810(1)–(11), Florida Statutes, it is in the manifest best 
interests of the child(ren) for parental rights of .....(name(s))..... to be terminated for the reasons 
below. The court has considered all relevant factors and finds as follows: 
 
(a) Regarding any suitable permanent custody arrangement with a relative of the child, the 
court finds ..................... 
 
(b) Regarding the ability and disposition of the parent or parents to provide the child with food, 
clothing, medical care, or other remedial care recognized and permitted under state law instead 
of medical care, and other material needs of the child, the court finds .................... 
 
(c) Regarding the capacity of the parent or parents to care for the child to the extent that the 
child’s safety, well-being, and physical, mental, and emotional health will not be endangered 
upon the child’s return home, the court finds .................... 
 
(d) Regarding the present mental and physical health needs of the child and such future needs 
of the child to the extent that such future needs can be ascertained based on the present condition 
of the child, the court finds ..................... 
 
(e) Regarding the love, affection, and other emotional ties existing between the child and the 
child’s parent or parents, siblings, and other relatives, and the degree of harm to the child that 
would arise from the termination of parental rights and duties, the court finds .................... 
 
(f) Regarding the likelihood of an older child remaining in long-term foster care upon 
termination of parental rights, due to emotional or behavioral problems or any special needs of 
the child, the court finds ..................... 
 
(g) Regarding the child’s ability to form a significant relationship with a parental substitute and 
the likelihood that the child will enter into a more stable and permanent family relationship as a 
result of permanent termination of parental rights and duties, the court finds ..................... 
 
(h) Regarding the length of time that the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment 
and the desirability of maintaining continuity, the court finds ..................... 
 
(i) Regarding the depth of the relationship existing between the child and present custodian, 
the court finds ..................... 
 
(j) Regarding the reasonable preferences and wishes of the child, if the court deems the child to 
be of sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a preference, the court 
finds .................... 
 
(k) Regarding the recommendations for the child provided by the child’s guardian ad litem or 
the legal representative, the court finds ..................... 
 
(l) Regarding other relevant factors including ...................., the court finds .................... 
 
COMMENT: Add items 7, 8, and 9 as applicable. 
 
 
7. Under section 39.811(6)(…..), Florida Statutes, the court terminates the parental rights of 
only .....(parent whose rights are being terminated)..... as to the minor child(ren), .....(child(ren)’s 
name(s))......  Specifically, the court finds that ……(specific findings of fact under section 
39.811(6), Florida Statutes)...... 
 
 
 
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8. Under sections 39.509(5) and 39.811(7)(a), Florida Statutes, the court finds that continued 
grandparental visitation is not in the best interests of the child(ren) or that such visitation would 
interfere with the permanency goals for the child(ren) for the following reasons ..................... 
 
9. Under section 39.811(7)(b), Florida Statutes, the court finds that although parental rights 
are being terminated, the best interests of .....(names of child(ren) to which this provision 
applies)..... support continued communication or contact by .....(names of parents, siblings, or 
relatives of the parent whose rights are terminated and to which this provision applies)..... except 
as provided above.  The nature and frequency of the communication or contact shall be as 
follows ..................... It may be reviewed on motion of any party or an identified prospective 
adoptive parent. 
 
THEREFORE, after weighing the credibility of the witnesses, weighing all statutory factors, and 
based on the findings of fact and conclusions of law above, the court hereby ORDERS AND 
ADJUDGES THAT: 
 
1. The petition filed by .....(name)..... is granted as to the parent(s), .....(name(s))...... 
 
2. The parental rights of the father, .....(name)....., and of the mother, .....(name)....., to the 
child, .....(name)....., are hereby terminated under section 39.806(.....), Florida Statutes. 
 
COMMENT: Repeat the above for each child and parent, as necessary. 
 
3. Under sections 39.811(2) and (5), Florida Statutes, the child(ren), .....(name(s))....., are 
placed in the custody of .....(agency)..... for the purpose of subsequent adoption. 
 
4. The 30-day permanency plan required by section 39.811(8), Florida Statutes, shall be filed 
and heard at .....(time)..... on .....(date)..... in .....(location)...... 
 
DONE AND ORDERED on .....(date)....., in .....(city and county)....., Florida. 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Circuit Judge 
 
 
NOTICE 
 
Under section 39.815, Florida Statutes, any child, any parent, guardian ad litem, or legal 
custodian of any child, any other party to the proceeding who is affected by an order of the 
court, or the department may appeal to the appropriate District Court of Appeal within the 
time and in the manner prescribed by the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, which is 
30 days from the date this order is rendered (filed). 
 
Copies to:     
 
 
 
 
FORM 8.984.  
JUDGMENT OF VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF 
 
 
 
PARENTAL RIGHTS 
 
ADJUDICATORY ORDER AND FINAL JUDGMENT OF 
TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AND GUARDIANSHIP 
 
 
- 21 - 
 
 
THIS CAUSE came before this court on .....(all dates of the adjudicatory hearing)..... for 
an adjudicatory hearing on the petition for termination of parental rights filed by .....(name)..... 
Present before the court were: ..................................   
..... (Name) ..... , Petitioner 
..... (Name) ..... , Attorney for the petitioner 
..... (Name) ..... , Attorney for the department 
..... (Name) ..... , Department/agency caseworker 
..... (Name) ..... , Child 
..... (Name) ..... , Attorney/Attorney ad litem for Child 
..... (Name) ..... , Mother 
..... (Name) ..... , Attorney for mother 
..... (Name) ..... , Father of ..... (child) ..... 
..... (Name) ..... , Attorney for father 
..... (Name) ..... , Guardian ad litem 
..... (Name) ..... , Attorney for guardian ad litem 
..... (Name) ..... , Legal custodian 
..... (Name) ..... , Attorney for legal custodian 
..... (Name) ..... , Other ................... 
 
The mother, .....(name)....., and the father(s), .....(name(s))....., executed voluntary 
surrenders of their parental rights for the minor child(ren), .....(name(s))....., which are accepted 
by 
the 
court 
without 
objection. 
___ 
The mother, .....(name)....., executed a voluntary surrender of her parental rights for the 
minor child(ren), .....(name(s))....., which is accepted by the court without objection. 
COMMENT:  Repeat the following as necessary. 
___ 
The father, .....(name)....., executed a voluntary surrender of his parental rights for the 
minor child(ren), .....(name(s))....., which is accepted by the court without objection. 
 
The court has carefully considered the testimony of witnesses, reviewed the exhibits, 
reviewed the file, heard argument of counsel, and considered recommendations and arguments of 
all parties. The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parents, .....(names)....., 
have surrendered their parental rights to the minor child(ren) under section 39.806(1)(a), Florida 
Statutes, and that termination of parental rights is in the manifest best interest of the child(ren). 
The specific facts and findings supporting this decision are as follows: 
 
1. That the mother, .....(name)....., ...... was ..... was not personally served with the 
summons and the petition. 
 
COMMENT: Service is not required if surrender was signed before filing of petition. 
 
 
2. That the father, .....(name)....., ..... was ..... was not personally served with the summons 
and the petition. 
 
 
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COMMENT: Service is not required if surrender was signed before filing of petition. 
 
 
3. That the parents were advised of their right to counsel in all prior dependency court 
proceedings which they attended. The mother has been represented by legal counsel, 
.....(name)....., starting on or about .....(date)...... The father has been represented by legal counsel, 
.....(name)....., starting on or about .....(date)..... 
 
 
4. The mother, .....(name)....., freely, knowingly, voluntarily, and ..... with ..... without 
advice of legal counsel executed an affidavit and acknowledgment of surrender, consent, and 
waiver of notice on .....(date)....., for termination of her parental rights to the minor child(ren), 
under section 39.806(1)(a), Florida Statutes. 
 
 
5. The father, .....(name)....., freely, knowingly, voluntarily, and ..... with ..... without 
advice of legal counsel executed an affidavit and acknowledgment of surrender, consent, and 
waiver of notice on .....(date)....., for termination of herhis parental rights to the minor child(ren), 
under section 39.806(1)(a), Florida Statutes. 
 
 
6. That at all times relevant to this action the interests of this/these child(ren) has/have 
been represented by a guardian ad litem. The guardian ad litem, .....(name)....., ..... agrees ..... 
does not agree that it is in the best interest of the child(ren) for parental rights to be terminated in 
this cause. 
COMMENT: 
Guardian 
ad 
litem 
not 
required 
in 
voluntary 
surrender. 
 
 
7. Under the provisions of sections 39.810(1)–(11), Florida Statutes, it is in the manifest 
best interest of the child(ren) for parental rights to be terminated for the following reasons: 
.....(findings as to each statutory factor) ...... 
 
(a) Regarding any suitable permanency custody arrangement with a relative of the child, 
the court finds ................... 
 
 
(b) Regarding the ability and disposition of the parent or parents to provide the child with 
food, clothing, medical care or other remedial care recognized and permitted under state law 
instead of medical care, and other materials needs of the child, the court finds ..................... 
 
 
(c) Regarding the capacity of the parent or parents to care for the child to the extent that 
the child’s safety, well-being, and physical, mental, and emotional health will not be endangered 
upon the child’s return home, the court finds ..................... 
 
 
(d) Regarding the present mental and physical health needs of the child and such future 
needs of the child to the extent that such future needs can be ascertained based on the present 
condition of the child, the court finds ..................... 
 
 
(e) Regarding the love, affection, and other emotional ties existing between the child and 
the child’s parent or parents, siblings, and other relatives, and the degree of harm to the child that 
would arise from the termination of parental rights and duties, the court finds ..................... 
 
 
- 23 - 
 
 
(f) Regarding the likelihood of an older child remaining in long-term foster care upon 
termination of parental rights, due to emotional or behavioral problems or any special needs of 
the child, the court finds ..................... 
 
 
(g) Regarding the child’s ability to form a significant relationship with a parental 
substitute and the likelihood that the child will enter into a more stable and permanent family 
relationship as a result of permanent termination of parental rights and duties, the court finds 
..................... 
 
 
(h) Regarding the length of time that the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory 
environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity, the court finds ..................... 
 
 
(i) Regarding the depth of the relationship existing between the child and present 
custodian, the court finds ..................... 
 
 
(j) Regarding the reasonable preferences and wishes of the child, if the court deems the 
child to be of sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a preference, the 
court finds ..................... 
 
 
(k) Regarding the recommendations for the child provided by the child’s guardian ad 
litem or the legal representative, the court finds ..................... 
 
 
(l)  Regarding other relevant factors including .................... , the court finds ..................... 
 
 
THEREFORE, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that: 
 
1. The petition for termination of parental rights is GRANTED. 
 
2. The parental rights of the parents, .....(name(s)) ....., to the child, .....(name) ....., are 
terminated.The parental rights of the father, .....(name)....., and of the mother, .....(name)....., to 
the child, .....(name)....., are hereby terminated under section 39.806(.....), Florida Statutes. 
COMMENT: 
Repeat 
the 
above 
for 
each 
child 
and 
parent 
on 
petition. 
 
 
3. The child(ren), .....(name(s)) ....., is/are hereby placed in the permanent care and 
custody of .....(agency name) ..... for subsequent adoption. 
 
 
4. A hearing for the department to provide a plan for permanency for the child(ren) shall 
be held on .....(date)....., within 30 days of rendering of order, at .....(time)...... 
 
DONE AND ORDERED on .....(date) ....., in .......... County, Florida. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
_____________________  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Circuit Judge 
 
 
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Copies furnished to: .................... 
NOTICE 
 
Under section 39.815, Florida Statutes, any child, any parent, guardian ad litem, or legal 
custodian of any child, any other party to the proceeding who is affected by an order of the 
court, or the department may appeal to the appropriate District Court of Appeal within the 
time and in the manner prescribed by the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, which is 
30 
days 
from 
the 
date 
this 
order 
is 
rendered 
(filed). 
 
 
RULE 9.146. 
APPEAL PROCEEDINGS IN JUVENILE DEPENDENCY 
AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CASES 
AND CASES INVOLVING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN 
IN NEED OF SERVICES 
 
 
(a) 
Applicability.  Appeals proceedings in juvenile dependency and 
termination of parental rights cases and cases involving families and children in 
need of services shall be as in civil cases except as modified byto the extent those 
rules are modified by this rule.  
 
 
(b) 
Who May Appeal.  Any child, any parent, guardian ad litem, or legal 
custodian of any child, any other party to the proceeding affected by an order of 
the lower tribunal, or the appropriate state agency as provided by law may appeal 
to the appropriate court within the time and in the manner prescribed by these 
rules. 
 
(c)–(f)   [No change] 
 
 
(g) 
Special Procedures and Time Limitations Applicable to Appeals 
of Final Orders in Dependency or Termination of Parental Rights 
Proceedings. 
 
 
 
(1) 
Applicability.  This subdivision applies only to appeals of final 
orders to the district courts of appeal. 
 
 
 
(2) 
The Record. 
 
 
 
(A) 
Contents.  The record shall be prepared in accordance 
with rule 9.200, except as modified by this subdivision. 
 
 
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(B) 
Transcripts of Proceedings.  The appellant shall file a 
designation to the court reporter, including the name(s) of the individual court 
reporter(s), if applicable, with the notice of appeal.  The designation shall be 
served on the court reporter on the date of filing and shall state that appeal is from 
a final order of termination of parental rights or of dependency, and that the court 
reporter shall provide the transcript(s) designated within 20 days of the date of 
service.  Within 20 days of the date of service of the designation, the court reporter 
shall transcribe and file with the clerk of the lower tribunal the original transcripts 
and sufficient copies for the Department of Children and Family Services, the 
guardian ad litem, and all indigent parties.  If extraordinary reasons prevent the 
reporter from preparing the transcript(s) within the 20 days, the reporter shall 
request an extension of time, shall state the number of additional days requested, 
and shall state the extraordinary reasons that would justify the extension.  
 
 
 
(C) 
Directions to the Clerk, Duties of the Clerk, 
Preparation and Transmittal of the Record.  The appellant shall file directions 
to the clerk with the notice of appeal.  The clerk shall transmit the record to the 
court within 5 days of the date the court reporter files the transcript(s) or, if a 
designation to the court reporter has not been filed, within 5 days of the filing of 
the notice of appeal.  When the record is transmitted to the court, the clerk shall 
simultaneously serve copies of the record to the Department of Children and 
Family Services, the guardian ad litem, the indigent parties or counsel appointed to 
represent indigent parties, and shall simultaneously serve copies of the index to all 
non-indigent parties, and, upon their request, copies of the record or portions 
thereof at the cost prescribed by law. 
 
 
 
(3) 
Briefs. 
 
 
 
 
(A) 
In General.  Briefs shall be prepared and filed in 
accordance with rule 9.210(a)–(e), (g), and (h). 
 
 
 
 
(B) 
Times for Service.  The initial brief shall be served 
within 20 days of service of the record on appeal or the index to the record on 
appeal.  The answer brief shall be served within 20 days of service of the initial 
brief.  The reply brief, if any, shall be served within 10 days of the service of the 
answer brief. 
 
 
(4) 
Motions. 
 
 
 
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(A) 
Motions for Appointment of Appellate Counsel; 
Authorization of Payment of Transcription Costs.  A motion for the 
appointment of appellate counsel, when authorized by general law, and a motion 
for authorization of payment of transcription costs, when appropriate, shall be filed 
with the notice of appeal.  The motion and a copy of the notice of appeal shall be 
served on the presiding judge in the lower tribunal.  The presiding judge shall 
promptly enter an order on the motion. 
 
 
 
 
(B) 
Motions to Withdraw as Counsel.  If appellate counsel 
seeks leave to withdraw from representation of an indigent parent, the motion to 
withdraw shall be served on the parent and shall contain a certification that, after a 
conscientious review of the record, the attorney has determined in good faith that 
there are no meritorious grounds on which to base an appeal.  The parent shall be 
permitted to file a brief pro se, or through subsequently retained counsel, within 20 
days of the issuance of an order granting the motion to withdraw. 
 
 
 
 
(C) 
Motions for Extensions of Time.  An extension of time 
will be granted only for extraordinary circumstances in which the extension is 
necessary to preserve the constitutional rights of a party, or in which substantial 
evidence exists to demonstrate that without the extension the child’s best interests 
will be harmed.  The extension will be limited to the number of days necessary to 
preserve the rights of the party or the best interests of the child.  The motion shall 
state that the appeal is from a final order of termination of parental rights or of 
dependency, and shall set out the extraordinary circumstances that necessitate an 
extension, the amount of time requested, and the effect an extension will have on 
the progress of the case. 
 
 
 
(5) 
Oral Argument.  A request for oral argument shall be in a 
separate document served by a party not later than the time when the first brief of 
that party is due. 
 
 
 
(6) 
Rehearing;  Rehearing En Banc; Clarification; 
Certification.  Motions for rehearing, rehearing en banc, clarification, and 
certification shall be in accordance with rules 9.330 and 9.331, except that no 
response to these motions is permitted unless ordered by the court. 
 
 
 
(7) 
The Mandate.  The clerk shall issue such mandate or process 
as may be directed by the court as soon as practicable. 
 
 
(g
gh
h) Expedited Review.  The court shall give priority to appeals under this 
 
 
- 27 - 
rule. 
 
Committee Notes 
 
 
1996 Adoption.  The reference in subdivision (a) to cases involving families 
and children in need of services encompasses only those cases in which an order 
has been entered adjudicating a child or family in need of services under chapter 
39, Florida Statutes. 
 
 
Subdivision (c) requires the parties to use initials in all references to the 
child and parents in all briefs and other papers filed in the court in furtherance of 
the appeal. It does not require the deletion of the names of the child and parents 
from pleadings and other papers transmitted to the court from the lower tribunal. 
 
 
2006 Amendment.  The title to subdivision (b) was changed from ―Appeals 
Permitted‖ to clarify that this rule addresses who may take an appeal in matters 
covered by this rule.  The amendment is intended to approve the holding in D.K.B. 
v. Department of Children & Families, 890 So. 2d 1288 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005), that 
non-final orders in these matters may be appealed only if listed in rule 9.130. 
 
 
2009 Amendment.  The rule was substantially amended following the 
release of the Study of Delay in Dependency/Parental Termination Appeals 
Supplemental Report and Recommendations (June 2007) by the Commission on 
District Court of Appeal Performance and Accountability.  The amendments are 
generally intended to facilitate expedited filing and resolution of appellate cases 
arising from dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings in the 
lower tribunal.  Subdivision (g)(4)(A) authorizes motions requesting appointment 
of appellate counsel only when a substantive provision of general law provides for 
appointment of appellate counsel. Section 27.5304(6), Florida Statutes (2008), 
limits appointment of appellate counsel for indigent parents to appeals from final 
orders adjudicating or denying dependency or termination of parental rights.  In all 
other instances, section 27.5304(6), Florida Statutes, requires appointed trial 
counsel to prosecute or defend appellate cases arising from a dependency or 
parental termination proceeding in the lower tribunal. 
 
 
RULE 9.340. 
MANDATE 
 
 
(a) 
[No change] 
 
 
 
- 28 - 
 
(b) 
Extension of Time for Issuance of Mandate.  Unless otherwise 
provided by these rules, iIf a timely motion for rehearing, clarification, or 
certification has been filed, the time for issuance of the mandate or other process 
shall be extended until 15 days after rendition of the order denying the motion, or, 
if granted, until 15 days after the cause has been fully determined. 
 
 
(c) 
[No change] 
 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.430. 
PROCEEDINGS BY INDIGENTS. 
 
 
(a) – (c) 
[No change] 
 
 
(d) 
Parties in Juvenile Dependency and Termination of Parental 
Rights Cases; Presumption.  In cases involving dependency or termination of 
parental rights, an appellate court may, in its discretion, presume that any party 
who has been declared indigent for purposes of proceedings by the lower tribunal 
remains indigent, in the absence of evidence to the contrary. 
 
Committee Notes 
[No change]