Administrative Order Viewer

In the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit
in and for DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties, Florida

Administrative Order No. 2025–19.12

(amends and supersedes 2023–15.12)

On April 12, 2019, the Supreme Court of Florida issued Administrative Order No. AOSC19-19, In re: Cases Involving the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the Convention) is a mechanism for parents seeking the return of children who have been wrongfully removed or retained from their country of habitual residence.

In accordance with the Convention, a person whose custody rights have been breached by the wrongful removal or retention of a child under the age of sixteen (16) may petition to the appropriate court where the child is located. Once an application for return has been filed, the court is required to act expeditiously in the proceedings for the return of the child.

It is the intent of the Florida State Courts System to better protect children from the effects of their wrongful removal through the establishment of a network of Florida judges who develop expertise in this important area of law.

This court entered Administrative Orders 2019-9.12 and 2023-15.12, designating judges with primary responsibility for handling Convention cases filed in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.

Pursuant to the power vested in the chief judge under article V, section 2(d), Florida Constitution and Rule 2.215, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, and in accordance with Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order No. AOSC 19-19, it is

• To increase efficiency and eliminate the need to regularly amend this administrative order, all future designations of judges with primary responsibility for handling Hague Convention Cases will be included in the yearly Judicial Assignments Administrative Order.
• Administrative Order 2023-15.12 is hereby amended and superseded by this order.
• This Administrative Order is effective upon signing.

Done and ordered in chambers in Manatee County, Florida, this 8 day of December 2025.

Diana L. Moreland,
Chief Judge