In re Amendments to the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms (20 So. 3d 173, 2009)

Citations

20 So. 3d 173

Full opinion text

PER CURIAM.

During the 2008 legislative session, the Legislature amended numerous sections of chapter 61, Florida Statutes, redesignating it “Dissolution of Marriage; Support; Time-sharing,” and amended various sections of chapters 409, 414, 445, 741, 742, 753, and 827, Florida Statutes. See ch. 2008-61, Laws of Fla. (effective October 1, 2008). In general, this legislation removes references to the concepts of “custody,” “primary or secondary residential parent,” “visitation,” and the like, and instead incorporates the concepts of “time-sharing” and a “parenting plan.” The statutes now require the court to approve or establish a “parenting plan” which governs how divorced parents will share the responsibilities of childrearing and decision making with regard to the child and sets forth a “time-sharing” schedule. Ch. 2008-61, §§ 2, 8, Laws of Fla. (amending §§ 61.046 and 61.13, Fla. Stat. (2007)). This legislation affects the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms.

Pursuant to the procedures approved by this Court in Amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure & Family Law Forms, 810 So.2d 1, 14 (Fla.2000), this Court has internally reviewed the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms and determined that both new forms and amendments to existing forms are necessary as a result of the legislation. Input on this issue was received from the Advisory Workgroup on the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms, which provided valuable assistance.

The majority of the amendments to existing forms simply conform them to the change in terminology accomplished by chapter 2008-61 and incorporate the concepts of time-sharing and the parenting plan. Two of the new forms are parenting plan forms, form 12.995(a) (Parenting Plan (non-supervised)), and form 12.995(b) (Parenting Plan (supervised/safety focused)). The third new form is form 12.993(d) (Supplemental Temporary Judgment for Modification of Parenting Issues for Children of Military Parents) in accord with various amendments to section 61.13002, Florida Statutes. See ch. 2008-61, § 10, Laws of Fla.

The new and amended forms are adopted as set forth in the appendix to this opinion, fully engrossed, effective for immediate use. Due to the number of amendments and new forms, we direct that they be published for comment. A publication notice will appear in The Florida Bar News. The forms will be posted on this Court’s website at www.florida supremecourt.org/decisions/rules.shtml. Interested persons shall have sixty days from the date of this opinion to file comments with the Court. By adoption of these forms, we express no opinion as to their correctness or applicability, or on the substance of the new legislation. The forms discussed herein may also be accessed and downloaded from this Court’s website at www.flcourts.org/gen_public/ family/forms_rules/index.shtml.

It is so ordered.

QUINCE, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, CANADY, POLSTON, and LABARGA, JJ., concur.

PERRY, J., did not participate.

APPENDIX

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW

FORM 12.901(b)(1),

PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE WITH DEPENDENT OR MINOR CHILD(REN) (03/09)

When should this form be used?

This form should be used when a husband or wife is filing for a dissolution of marriage and you and your spouse have a dependent or minor child(ren) together or the wife is pregnant. You and/or your spouse must have lived in Florida for at least 6 months before filing for a dissolution in Florida. You must file this form if the following is true:

• You and your spouse have a dependent or minor child(ren) together or the wife is pregnant.

This form should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, you should sign the form before a notary public or deputy clerk. You should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you live and keep a copy for your records.

What should I do next?

For your ease to proceed, you must properly notify your spouse of the petition. If you know where he or she lives, you should use personal service. If you absolutely do not know where he or she lives, you may use constructive service. You may also be able to use constructive service if your spouse resides in another state or country. However, if constructive service is used, other than granting a divorce, the court may only grant limited relief. For more information on constructive service, see Notice of Action for Dissolution of Marriage, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.913(a), and Affidavit of Diligent Search and Inquiry, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.913(b). If your spouse is in the military service of the United States, additional steps for service may be required. See, for example, Memorandum for Certificate of Military Service, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(a). In sum, the law regarding constructive service and service on an individual in the military service is very complex and you may wish to consult an attorney regarding these issues.

If personal service is used, the respondent has 20 days to answer after being served with your petition. Your case will then generally proceed in one of the following three ways:

DEFAULT. If after 20 days, your spouse has not filed an answer, you may file a Motion for Default, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.922(a), with the clerk of court. Then, if you have filed all of the required papers, you may call the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set a final hearing. You must notify your spouse of the hearing by using a Notice of Hearing (General), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form.

UNCONTESTED. If your spouse files an answer that agrees with everything in your petition or an answer and waiver, and you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers, you may call the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set a final hearing. You must notify your spouse of the hearing by using a Notice of Hearing (General), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form.

CONTESTED. If your spouse files an answer or an answer and counterpetition, which disagrees with or denies anything in your petition, and you are unable to settle the disputed issues, you should file a Notice for Trial, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.924, after you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers. Some circuits may require the completion of mediation before a final hearing may be set. You should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant for instructions on how to set your case for trial (final hearing). If your spouse files an answer and counterpetition, you should answer the counterpetition within 20 days using an Answer to Counterpetition, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(d).

Where can I look for more information?

Before proceeding, you should read “General Information for Self-Represented Litigants” found at the beginning of these forms. The words that are in “bold underline” in these instructions are defined there. For further information, see chapter 61, Florida Statutes.

Special notes...

If you do not have the money to pay the filing fee, you may obtain an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status from the clerk, fill it out, and the clerk will determine whether you are eligible to have filing fees deferred.

If this is a domestic violence case and you want to keep your address confidential for safety reasons, do not enter the address, telephone, and fax information at the bottom of this form. Instead, file Petitioner’s Request for Confidential Filing of Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.980(h).

With this form, you must also file the following:

• Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d).

• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), if you are asking that child support be ordered in the final judgment. (If you do not know your spouse’s income, you may file this worksheet after his or her financial affidavit has been served on you.)

• Affidavit of Corroborating Witness, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(i) OR photocopy of current Florida driver’s license, Florida identification card, or voter’s registration card (issue date of copied document must be at least six months before date case is actually filed with the clerk of the circuit court).

• Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Foi’m 12.902(f)(1), if you and your spouse have reached an agreement on any or all of the issues.

• Notice of Social Security Number, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(j).

• Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c). (This must be filed with the petition if the petitioner seeks to establish child support. Otherwise, it must be filed within 45 days of service of the petition on the respondent.)

• Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.932. (This must be filed within 45 days of service of the petition on the respondent, if not filed at the time of the petition, unless you and your spouse have agreed not to exchange these documents.)

• Parenting Plan, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(a)or Supervised/Safety Focused Parenting Plan, Form 12.995(b) If the parents have reached an agreement, a signed and notarized Parenting Plan should be attached. If the parents have not reached an agreement, a proposed Parenting Plan may be filed.

Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing. If you and your spouse are unable to agree on parenting arrangements and a time-sharing schedule, a judge will decide for you as part of establishing a Parenting Plan. The judge will decide the parenting arrangements and time-sharing based on the ehild(ren)’s best interests. Regardless of whether there is an agreement, the court reserves jurisdiction to modify issues relating to the minor child(ren).

A parenting course must be completed prior to entry of the final judgment. You should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant about requirements for parenting courses where you live.

Listed below are some terms with which you should become familiar before completing your petition. If you do not fully understand any of the terms below or their implications, you should speak with an attorney before going any further.

• Shared Parental Responsibility

• Sole Parental Responsibility

• Supervised Time-Sharing

• No contact

• Parenting Plan

• Parenting Plan Recommendation

• Time-Sharing Schedule

Child Support. The court may order one parent to pay child support to assist the other parent in meeting the child(ren)’s material needs. Both parents are required to provide financial support, but one parent may be ordered to pay a portion of his or her support for the ehild(ren) to the other parent. Florida has adopted guidelines for determining the amount of child support to be paid. These guidelines are based on the combined income of both parents and take into account the financial contributions of both parents. You must file a Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c), and your spouse will be required to do the same. From your financial affidavits, you should be able to calculate the amount of child support that should be paid using the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e). Because the child support guidelines take several factors into consideration, change over time, and vary from state to state, your child support obligation may be more or less than that of other people in seemingly similar situations.

Alimony. Alimony may be awarded to a spouse if the judge finds that he or she needs it and that the other spouse has the ability to pay it. If you want alimony, you must request it in writing in the original petition or counterpetition. If you do not request alimony in writing before the final hearing, it is waived (you may not request it later). You may request either permanent alimony, lump sum alimony, or rehabilitative alimony. Marital/Nonmarital Assets and Liabilities. Florida law requires an equitable distribution of marital assets and marital liabilities. “Equitable” does not necessarily mean “equal.” Many factors, including child support, time-sharing, and alimony awards, may lead the court to make an unequal (but still equitable) distribution of assets and liabilities. Nonmar-ital assets and nonmarital liabilities are those assets and liabilities which the parties agree or the court determines belong to, or are the responsibility of, only one of the parties. If the parties agree or the court finds an asset or liability to be non-marital, the judge will not consider it when distributing marital assets and liabilities. Temporary Relief. If you need temporary relief regarding temporary use of assets, temporary responsibility for liabilities, parental responsibility and time-sharing with child(ren), temporary child support, or temporary alimony, you may file a Motion for Temporary Support and Time-Sharing with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.947(a). For more information, see the instructions for that form.

Marital Settlement Agreement. If you and your spouse are able to reach an agreement on any or all of the issues, you should file a Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1). Both of you must sign this agreement before a notary public or deputy clerk. Any issues on which you are unable to agree will be considered contested and settled by the judge at the final hearing.

Parenting Plan. In all cases involving minor or dependent children), a Parenting Plan shall be approved or established by the court. If you and your spouse have reached an agreement, you should file a Parenting Plan, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(a), or a Supervised/Safety Focused Parenting Plan, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(b) which addresses the time-sharing schedule for the child(ren). If you have not reached an agreement, a proposed Parenting Plan may be filed. If the parties are unable to agree, a Parenting Plan will be established by the court.

Final Judgment Form. These family law forms contain a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(c)(1), which the judge may use if your case is contested. If you and your spouse reach an agreement on all of the issues, the judge may use a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (Uncontested), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(b)(1). You should check with the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to see if you need to bring a final judgment with you to the hearing. If so, you should type or print the heading, including the circuit, county, case number, division, and the parties’ names, and leave the rest blank for the judge to complete at your hearing or trial.

Nonlawyer. Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these forms, that person must give you a copy of a Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(a), before he or she helps you. A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also must put his or her name, address, and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every form he or she helps you complete.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Children) (03/09)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.902(d), UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT (UCCJEA) AFFIDAVIT (03/09)

When should this form be used?

This form should be used in any case involving custody of, visitation with, or time-sharing with any minor ehild(ren). This affidavit is required even if the custody of, visitation, or time-sharing with the minor ehild(ren) are not in dispute.

This form should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, you should sign the form before a notary public or deputy clerk. You should then file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the petition was filed and keep a copy for your records.

What should I do next?

A copy of this form must be mailed or hand delivered to the other party in your case, if it is not served on him or her with your initial papers.

Where can I look for more information?

Before proceeding, you should read General Information for Self-Represented Litigants found at the beginning of these forms. The words that are in bold underline in these instructions are defined there. For further information, see sections 61.501-61.542, Florida Statutes.

Special notes...

If you are the petitioner in an injunction for protection against domestic violence case and you have filed Petitioner’s Request for Confidential Filing of Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.980(i), you should write confidential in any space on this form that would require you to write the address where you are currently living.

Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these forms, that person must give you a copy of a Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(a), before he or she helps you. A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also must put his or her name, address, and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every form he or she helps you complete.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit (03/09)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.902(f)(1), MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE WITH DEPENDENT OR MINOR CHILD(REN) (03/09)

When should this form be used?

This form should be used when a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), has been filed and the parties have reached an agreement on some or all of the issues at hand.

This form should be typed or printed in black ink. Both parties must sign the agreement and have their signatures witnessed by a notary public or deputy clerk. After completing this form, you should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the petition was filed and keep a copy for your records. You should then refer to the instructions for your petition, answer, or answer and counterpetition concerning the procedures for setting a hearing or trial (final hearing).

Where can I look for more information?

Special notes...

With this form you must also file a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), if not already filed.

This form does not act to transfer title to the property. Such transfer must be done by deed or supplemental final judgment.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1), Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/09)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.903(a), ANSWER, WAIVER, AND REQUEST FOR COPY OF FINAL JUDGMENT OF DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (03/09)

When should this form be used?

This form should be used when you have been served with a petition for dissolution of marriage and you do not wish to contest it or appear at a hearing. If you file this form, you are admitting all of the allegations in the petition, saying that you do not need to be notified of or appear at the final hearing, and that you would like a copy of the final judgment mailed to you.

This form should be typed or printed in black ink, and your signature should be witnessed by a notary public or deputy clerk. After completing this form, you should sign the form before a notary public. You should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the petition was filed and keep a copy for your records.

What should I do next?

You have 20 days to answer after being served with the other party’s petition. A copy of this form, along with all of the other forms required with this answer and waiver, must be mailed or hand delivered to the other party in your case.

Where can I look for more information?

Special notes...

With this form, you must also file the following:

• Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), if the case involves a dependent or minor child(ren).

• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), if the case involves a dependent or minor ehild(ren). (If you do not know the other party’s income, you may file this worksheet after his or her financial affidavit has been served on you).

• Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1), or Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(2), if you have reached an agreement on any or all of the issues.

• Notice of Social Security Number, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(j).

• Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c). (This must be filed within 45 days of service of the petition on you, if not filed at the time you file this answer.)

• Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.932. (This must be filed within 45 days of service of the petition on you, if not filed at the time you file this answer, unless you and the other party have agreed not to exchange these documents.)

Parenting and Time-Sharing... By filing this answer and waiver, you are agreeing to any parenting and time-sharing requests in the petition. The judge may request a parenting plan recommendation or appoint a guardian ad litem in your case. This means that a neutral person will review your situation and report to the judge concerning parenting issues. The purpose of such intervention is to be sure that the best interests of the ehild(ren) is (are) being served. For more information, you may consult section 61.13, Florida Statutes.

A parenting course must be completed prior to entry of a final judgment. You should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant about requirements for parenting courses where you live.

Listed below are some terms with which you should become familiar before completing your answer to the petition. If you do not fully understand any of the terms below or their implications, you should speak with an attorney before going any further.

• Shared Parental Responsibility

• Sole Parental Responsibility

• Supervised Time-Sharing

• No contact

• Parenting Plan

• Parenting Plan Recommendation

• Time-Sharing Schedule

Child Support... By filing this answer and waiver, you are agreeing to any child support requests in the petition. The court may order one parent to pay child support to assist the other parent in meeting the child(ren)’s material needs. Both parents are required to provide financial support, but one parent may be ordered to pay a portion of his or her support for the children) to the other parent. Florida has adopted guidelines for determining the amount of child support to be paid. These guidelines are based on the combined income of both parents and take into account the financial contributions of both parents. You must file a Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c), and your spouse will be required to do the same. From your financial affidavits, you should be able to calculate the amount of child support that should be paid using the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e). Because the child support guidelines take several factors into consideration, change over time, and vary from state to state, your child support obligation may be more or less than that of other people in seemingly similar situations.

Alimony... By filing this answer and waiver, you are agreeing to any alimony requests in the petition. Alimony may be awarded to a spouse if the judge finds that he or she needs it and that the other spouse has the ability to pay it. If you want alimony, you must request it in writing in a counterpetition and should not use this form. If you do not request alimony in writing before the final hearing, it is waived (you may not request it later). You may request either permanent alimony, lump sum alimony, or rehabilitative alimony.

Marital/Nonmarital Assets and Liabilities ... Florida law requires an equitable distribution of marital assets and marital liabilities. “Equitable” does not necessarily mean “equal.” Many factors, including child support, time-sharing and alimony awards, may lead the court to make an unequal (but still equitable) distribution of assets and liabilities. Non-marital assets and nonmarital liabilities are those assets and liabilities which the parties agree or the court determines belong to, or are the responsibility of, only one of the parties. By filing this answer and waiver, you are agreeing to any requests in the petition regarding division of assets and liabilities.

Final Judgment... You should receive a copy of the Final Judgment in the mail. If, for some reason you do not, you should call the clerks office to request a copy. It is important for you to review a copy of the Final Judgment in your case to see what happened and to know what you must do and what you are entitled to receive.

Nonlawyer... Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these forms, that person must give you a copy of a Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(a), before he or she helps you. A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also must put his or her name, address, and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every form he or she helps you complete.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(a), Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (03/09)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.903(b), ANSWER TO PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (03/09)

When should this form be used?

This form should be used when you are responding to a petition for dissolution of marriage and you wish to admit or deny all of the allegations in the petition but you do not plan to file a counterpetition seeking relief. You can use this form to answer any petition for dissolution of marriage, whether or not there are minor child(ren).

What should I do next?

A copy of this form, along with all of the other forms required with this answer, must be mailed or hand delivered to the other party in your case. You have 20 days to answer after being served with the other party’s petition. After you file your answer, the case will generally proceed in one of the following two ways:

UNCONTESTED... If you file an answer that agrees with everything in the other party’s petition and you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers, either party may call the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set a final hearing. If you request the final hearing, you must notify the other party of the hearing by using a Notice of Hearing (General), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form.

CONTESTED... If you file an answer which disagrees with or denies anything in the petition, and you are unable to settle the disputed issues, either party may file a Notice for Trial, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.924, after you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers. Some circuits may require the completion of mediation before a final hearing may be set. You should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant for instructions on how to set your case for trial (final hearing).

Where can I look for more information?

Before proceeding, you should read “General Information for Self-Represented Litigants” found at the beginning of these forms. The words that are in “bold underline” in these instructions are defined there. See chapter 61, Florida Statutes, for more information.

Special notes...

With this form, you must also file the following:

• Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), if the case involves a dependent or minor child(ren).

• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), if the case involves a dependent or minor child(ren). (If you do not know the other party’s income, you may file this worksheet after his or her financial affidavit has been served on you).

• Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1), or Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Property but No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(2), if you have reached an agreement on any or all of the issues.

• Notice of Social Security Number, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(j).

Parenting and Time-sharing... If you and your spouse are unable to agree on parenting arrangements and a time-sharing schedule, a judge will decide for you as part of establishing a Parenting Plan. The judge will decide the parenting arrangements and time-sharing schedule based on the child(ren)’s best interests. Regardless of whether there is an agreement, the court reserves jurisdiction to modify issues relating to the minor child(ren).

A parenting course must be completed prior to the entry of a final judgment. You should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant about requirements for parenting courses where you live.

• Shared Parental Responsibility

• Sole Parental Responsibility

• Supervised Time-Sharing

• No contact

• Parenting Plan

• Parenting Plan Recommendation

• Time-Sharing Schedule

Child Support... The court may order one parent to pay child support to assist the other parent in meeting the child(ren)’s material needs. Both parents are required to provide financial support, but one parent may be ordered to pay a portion of his or her support for the child(ren) to the other parent. Florida has adopted guidelines for determining the amount of child support to be paid. These guidelines are based on the combined income of both parents and take into account the financial contributions of both parents and the number of overnights the ehild(ren) spend with each parent. You must file a Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c), and your spouse will be required to do the same. From your financial affidavits, you should be able to calculate the amount of child support that should be paid using the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e). Because the child support guidelines take several factors into consideration, change over time, and vary from state to state, your child support obligation may be more or less than that of other people in seemingly similar situations.

Alimony... Alimony may be awarded to a spouse if the judge finds that he or she needs it and that the other spouse has the ability to pay it. If you want alimony, you must request it in writing in a coun-terpetition. Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(c)(1) (with dependent or minor child(ren)), or Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(c)(2) (no dependent or minor child(ren)). If you do not request alimony in writing before the final hearing, it is waived (you may not request it later).

Marital/Nonmarital Assets and Liabilities ... Florida law requires an equitable distribution of marital assets and marital liabilities. “Equitable” does not necessarily mean “equal.” Many factors, including child support, any parenting plan and time-sharing schedule, and alimony awards, may lead the court to make an unequal (but still equitable) distribution of assets and liabilities. Nonmarital assets and nonmarital liabilities are those assets and liabilities which the parties agree or the court determines belong to, or are the responsibility of, only one of the parties. If the parties agree or the court finds an asset or liability to be nonmarital, the judge will not consider it when distributing marital assets and liabilities.

Temporary Relief... If you need temporary relief regarding temporary use of assets, temporary responsibility for liabilities, parental responsibility and time-sharing with child(ren), temporary child support, or temporary alimony, you may file a Motion for Temporary Support and Time-Sharing with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.947(a), or, if there are no dependent or minor child(ren), Motion for Temporary Support with No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.947(c). For more information, see the instructions for these forms.

Marital Settlement Agreement... If you and your spouse are able to reach an agreement on any or all of the issues, you should file a Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1), or Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(2). Both parties must sign this agreement before a notary public or deputy clerk. Any issues on which you are unable to agree will be considered contested and settled by the judge at the final hearing.

Final Judgment Form... These family law forms contain a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(c)(1), and Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Property but No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(c)(2), which the judge may use if your case is contested. If you and your spouse reach an agreement on all of the issues, the judge may use Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (Uncontested), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(b)(1), Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Property but No Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (Uncontested), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(b)(2), or Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with No Property and No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(b)(3). You should check with the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to see if you need to bring a final judgment with you to the hearing. If so, you should type or print the heading, including the circuit, county, case number, division, and the parties names, and leave the rest blank for the judge to complete at your hearing or trial.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(b), Answer to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (03/09)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.903(c)(1), ANSWER TO PETITION AND COUNTERPETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE WITH DEPENDENT OR MINOR CHILD(REN) (03/09)

When should this form be used?

This form should be used when you are responding to a petition for dissolution of marriage with dependent or minor ehild(ren) and you are asking the court for something not contained in the petition. The answer portion of this form is used to admit or deny the allegations contained in the petition, and the counterpetition portion of this form is used to ask for whatever you want the court to do for you.

What should I do next?

You have 20 days to answer after being served with the other party’s petition. A copy of this form must be mailed or hand delivered to the other party. After you file an answer and counterpetition your case will then generally proceed as follows:

The other party is required to answer your counterpetition within 20 days using an Answer to Counterpetition, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(d).

UNCONTESTED... Your dissolution is uncontested if you and your spouse agree on all issues raised in the petition and the counterpetition. If this is the case, and you and the other party have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers, either party may call the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set a final hearing. If you request the hearing, you must notify the other party of the hearing by using a Notice of Hearing (General), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form.

CONTESTED... Your dissolution is contested if you and your spouse disagree on any issues raised in the petition or coun-terpetition. If you are unable to settle the disputed issues, either party may file a Notice for Trial, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.924, after you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers. Some circuits may require the completion of mediation before a final hearing may be set. You should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant for instructions on how to set your case for trial (final hearing).

Where can I look for more information?

Special notes...

With this form, you must also file the following:

• Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d)

• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e). (If you do not know the other party’s income, you may file this worksheet after his or her financial affidavit has been served on you.)

• Affidavit of Corroborating Witness, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(i) OR photocopy of current Florida drivers license, Florida identification card, or voters registration card (issue date of copied document must be at least six months before date case is actually filed with the clerk of the circuit court).

• Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1), if you have reached an agreement on any or all of the issues.

• Parenting Plan, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(a) or Supervised/Safety Focused Parenting Plan, Form 12.995(b). If the parents have reached an agreement, a signed and notarized Parenting Plan should be attached. If the parents have not reached an agreement, a proposed Parenting Plan may be filed.

• Notice of Social Security Number, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(j).

Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing... If you and your spouse are unable to agree on parenting arrangements and a time-sharing schedule, a judge will decide for you as part of establishing a Parenting Plan. The judge will decide the parenting arrangements and time-sharing schedule based on the child(ren)’s best interests. Regardless of whether there is an agreement, the court reserves jurisdiction to modify issues relating to the minor children).

• Shared Parental Responsibility

• Sole Parental Responsibility

• Supervised Time-Sharing

• No contact

• Parenting Plan

• Parenting Plan Recommendation

• Time-Sharing Schedule

Child Support... The court may order one parent to pay child support to assist the other parent in meeting the child(ren)’s material needs. Both parents are required to provide financial support, but one parent may be ordered to pay a portion of his or her support for the children) to the other parent. Florida has adopted guidelines for determining the amount of child support to be paid. These guidelines are based on the combined income of both parents and take into account the financial contributions of both parents. You must file a Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c), and your spouse will be required to do the same. From your financial affidavits, you should be able to calculate the amount of child support that should be paid using the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e). Because the child support guidelines take several factors into consideration, change over time, and vary from state to state, your child support obligation may be more or less than that of other people in seemingly similar situations.

Alimony... Alimony may be awarded to a spouse if the judge finds that he or she needs it and that the other spouse has the ability to pay it. If you want alimony, you must request it in writing in your counterpetition. If you do not request alimony in writing before the final hearing, it is waived (you may not request it later). You may request either permanent alimony, lump sum alimony, or rehabilitative alimony.

Marital/Nonmarital Assets and Liabilities ... Florida law requires an equitable distribution of marital assets and marital liabilities. Equitable does not necessarily mean equal. Many factors, including child support, time-sharing and alimony awards, may lead the court to make an unequal (but still equitable) distribution of assets and liabilities. Non-marital assets and nonmarital liabilities are those assets and liabilities which the parties agree or the court determines belong to, or are the responsibility of, only one of the parties. If the parties agree or the court finds an asset or liability to be nonmarital, the judge will not consider it when distributing marital assets and liabilities.

Parenting Plan... In all cases involving minor or dependent children), a Parenting Plan shall be approved or established by the court. If you and your spouse have reached an agreement, you should file a Parenting Plan, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(a), or a Supervised/Safety Focused Parenting Plan, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(b) which addresses the time-sharing schedule for the child(ren). If you have not reached an agreement, a proposed Parenting Plan may be filed. A Parenting Plan will be established by the court.

Temporary Relief... If you need temporary relief regarding temporaiy use of assets, temporary responsibility for liabilities, parental responsibility and time-sharing with children), temporary child support, or temporary alimony, you may file a Motion for Temporary Support and Time-Sharing with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.947(a). For more information, see the instructions for that form.

Marital Settlement Agreement... If you and your spouse are able to reach an agreement on any or all of the issues, you should file a Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1). Both parties must sign this agreement before a notary public or deputy clerk. Any issues on which you are unable to agree will be considered contested and settled by the judge at the final hearing.

Final Judgment Form... These family law forms contain a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(c)(1), which the judge may use if your case is contested. If you and your spouse reach an agreement on all of the issues, the judge may use a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (Uncontested), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(b)(1). You should check with the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to see if you need to bring a final judgment with you to the hearing. If so, you should type or print the heading, including the circuit, county, case number, division, and the parties names, and leave the rest blank for the judge to complete at your hearing or trial.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(c)(1), Answer to Petition and Counterpetition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/09)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.903(e), ANSWER TO SUPPLEMENTAL PETITION (03/09)

When should this form be used?

This form should be used when you are responding to a supplemental petition for modification of Parenting Plan, time-sharing schedule, child support, or alimony. This form is used to admit or deny all of the allegations in the supplemental petition if you do not plan to file a counterpetition. There is no form for a counterpetition to a supplemental petition in these Family Law Forms. If you want to file a counterpetition to a supplemental petition you will need to either seek legal assistance or create a form yourself. You may construct an answer and counterpetition using the pertinent sections contained in the Answer to Petition and Counterpetition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(c)(1), or Answer to Petition and Counterpetition for Dissolution of Marriage with Property but No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(c)(2).

What should I do next?

A copy of this form, along with all of the other forms required with this answer, must be mailed or hand delivered to the other party in your case. Regardless of whether you file a counterpetition, you have 20 days to answer after being served with the other party’s supplemental petition. After you file your answer, the case will generally proceed in one of the following two ways:

UNCONTESTED... If you file an answer that agrees with everything in the other party’s supplemental petition and you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers, either party may call the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set a final hearing. If you request the hearing, you must notify the other party of the hearing by using a Notice of Hearing (General), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form.

CONTESTED... If you file an answer which disagrees with or denies anything in the supplemental petition, and you are unable to settle the disputed issues, either party may file a Notice for Trial, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.924, after you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers. Some circuits may require the completion of mediation before a final hearing may be set. If you request the hearing, you should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant for instructions on how to set your case for trial (final hearing).

Where can I look for more information?

Before proceeding, you should read “General Information for Self-Represented Litigants” found at the beginning of these forms. The words that are in “bold underline” in these instructions are defined there. See chapter 61, Florida Statutes, for more information.

Special notes...

With this form, you must also file the following:

• Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), if the case involves child(ren).

• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), if child support is an issue. (If you do not know the other party’s income, you may file this worksheet after his or her financial affidavit has been served on you.)

• Settlement Agreement, if you have reached an agreement on any or all of the issues. Although there is no form for this in these Florida Family Law Forms, you may construct a settlement agreement using the pertinent sections contained in Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1), or Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with [Property but] No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(2).

• Notice of Social Security Number, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(j), if not previously filed.

• Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c). (This must be filed within 45 days of service of the supplemental petition on you, if not filed at the time you file your answer.)

• Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.932. (This must be filed within 45 days of service of the supplemental petition on you, if not filed at the time of you file your answer, unless you and the other party have agreed not to exchange these documents.)

Parenting and Time-Sharing... If you and your spouse are unable to agree about a Parenting Plan a judge will decide for you as part of establishing a parenting plan. The judge will decide the parenting and time-sharing arrangements based on the child(ren)’s best interests. Regardless of whether there is an agreement, the court reserves jurisdiction to modify issues relating to the minor child(ren).

The judge may request a parenting plan recommendation or appoint a guardian ad litem in your case. This means that a neutral person will review your situation and report to the judge concerning parenting issues. The purpose of such intervention is to be sure that the best interests of the children) is (are) being served. For more information, you may consult section 61.13, Florida Statutes. A parenting course must be completed prior to entry of a final judgment. You should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant about requirements for parenting courses or mediation where you live.

Listed below are some terms with which you should become familiar before completing your supplemental petition. If you do not fully understand any of the terms below or their implications, you should speak with an attorney before going any further.

Shared Parental Responsibility

Sole Parental Responsibility

Supervised Time-Sharing

No contact

Parenting Plan

Parenting Plan Recommendation

Time-Sharing Schedule

Child Support... If this case involves child support issues, the court may order one parent to pay child support to assist the other parent in meeting the child(ren)’s material needs. Both parents are required to provide financial support, but one parent may be ordered to pay a portion of his or her support for the child(ren) to the other parent. Florida has adopted guidelines for determining the amount of child support to be paid. These guidelines are based on the combined income of both parents and take into account the financial contributions of both parents. You must file a Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c), and the other parent will be required to do the same. From your financial affidavits, you should be able to calculate the amount of child support that should be paid using the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e). Because the child support guidelines take several factors into consideration, change over time, and vary from state to state, your child support obligation may be more or less than that of other people in seemingly similar situations.

Temporary Relief... If you need temporary relief regarding parental responsibility and time-sharing with ehild(ren), child support or alimony, you may file a Motion for Temporary Support with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.947(a) or, if you need temporary relief regarding alimony and there are no dependent or minor child(ren), you may file a Motion for Temporary Support with No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.947(c). For more information, see the instructions for these forms.

Settlement Agreement... If you and the other party are able to reach an agreement on any or all of the issues, you should file a Settlement Agreement. Although there is no form for this in these Florida Family Law Forms, you may construct a settlement agreement using the pertinent sections contained in Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1), or Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(2). Both parties must sign this agreement before a