§ 12-1. Legal aid incapacity/guardianship program.

(a)

Establishment of circuitwide fund. The proceeds of court filing fees designated for incapacity and guardianship proceedings concerning indigent wards shall be used for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a fund jointly with the other counties of the second judicial circuit. The fund shall be used to provide legal aid for the adjudication process of indigent, allegedly incapacitated persons whose court proceedings are venued in any of the several counties of the circuit without regard to the residency or domicile of such persons. The fund shall also be used to pay the legal fees under F.S. ch. 744. The fund shall be administered by Leon County, and the administering county shall be entitled to an administration fee of two percent of the gross proceeds paid into the fund. Disbursements shall be made upon written order of the court presiding in a particular case. If any county opts to refrain from participating in the circuitwide legal aid incapacity/guardianship program, that county shall not be eligible to receive the legal services described in this section.

(b)

The fund administrator, Leon County, may contract with a legal services firm for the services which are to be paid from the fund.

(Ord. No. 96-02, § 3(A))