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FL Courts Introduce Mobile App To Help With Family Law

The Florida Supreme Court.
Nick Evans
/
WFSU News

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga’s civil justice commission is unveiling a new mobile app to help people access the courts.  It’s called Florida Courts Help.

The new app gives users access to nearly 200 forms used in family law as well as plain language instructions on how to proceed.  Former Florida Bar president and Commission on Access to Civil Justice member Greg Coleman says improved mobile access will help people who can’t afford attorneys.

“Almost I think the number is something like 75 percent plus of folks that are indigent do have smart devices,” Coleman explains. “But they’re not going to have a laptop.  They’re not going to have a desktop.  They may not be able to use their desktop at the office for personal matters in many cases.”

Users will be able to electronically file some documents within the app, and it will include information on how to access free and low-cost legal services.

Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.