Taylor Duke was born and raised in the heart of St. Augustine. She’s local through and through. Today, she plays a vital role in helping local families navigate the stressful responsibility of child support.
As a Clerk in the Family Division, Taylor works behind the scenes to help parents enforce court orders or stay on track with payments. It’s a role that blends attention to detail, compassion, and a whole lot of teamwork.
But before joining the Clerk’s Office, Taylor spent years in another helping profession — pediatrics. “I was kind of like the bad guy giving all the kids their shots,” she laughs. Despite the tears and tiny tantrums, she enjoyed it. But she was ready for something more. “I wanted growth. More opportunities.”
A New Chapter
That drive for something new brought her to the Clerk’s Office. Taylor’s first role was in juvenile dependency and delinquency. The transition was challenging.
“When they called me about the job, I was so excited. I didn’t really know what I was getting into,” she admits. “Once I got my hands on the files, I realized how much happens in those cases.”
Dependency work meant reading through intense stories — some involving abuse or neglect. It was a far cry from giving kids vaccinations, but her background in pediatrics gave her perspective.
“I got to see cases from start all the way to adoption,” she says. “That was really special, but there’s some brutal stuff that a lot of people don’t know about.”
A Shift in Focus
In May, Taylor transitioned into her current role as a child support clerk. It’s a detailed, fast-paced job. Twice a month, she heads to court with her teammate Levi, tracking payments, handling legal orders, and updating accounts.
“We deal with a lot of the problems,” she explained. “People aren’t always doing what they’re supposed to. We’re dealing with missed payments, court motions, people coming in upset.”
She also works closely with the Department of Revenue. Once the court makes a ruling, that’s the agency that steps in to enforce it — through wage garnishments, license suspensions, and sometimes even arrest warrants.
Teamwork Makes the Difference
Taylor lights up when talking about the Family Division. “I love Family,” she says. “Everyone is just great.”
She credits much of her growth to her coworkers and mentors. Missy, a former director, trained her early on. “She was awesome. She knew exactly what I needed to learn the job.”
When Missy moved on, Cathy stepped into the role. “She was amazing,” Taylor says. Carla and Levi have also been huge support systems, especially as she learned the ropes of child support.
The Family Division runs on teamwork. “If someone’s out, we all pitch in. Whether it’s a Court Clerk or Juvenile Clerk, we step in where needed. We all work together.”
More Than Just a Job
Taylor says working at the Clerk’s Office has been a great experience. “There’s a lot of change, but it’s all good change,” she says. “I love my job. I love that there are opportunities to grow and try different things.”
She’s already certified in juvenile and injunctions and plans to complete her child support and family certifications soon.
Outside the Office
When she’s off the clock, Taylor stays active. She goes to boot camp workout classes with other courthouse colleagues and enjoys spending time outdoors. “I like to hunt with my husband — mostly deer. His family has property in Bainbridge, Georgia, so we go up there.”
And then there are her dogs — three goldendoodles — who keep her life full of joy. “We love taking them on rides. I haven’t brought them to the beach yet, but I want to.”
Taylor’s story is one of challenges, growth, and heart. Whether she’s navigating complex court cases, or assisting residents with child support, one thing is clear — she’s all in.
