Opinion

In Re: Amendments to the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms

40 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 163
173 So. 3d 19
2015 Fla. LEXIS 583
2015 WL 1343088

Court: Supreme Court of Florida
Filed: Mar 26, 2015
Status: Published
Cited by: 0 cases
Authority: More cited than 34.2%

The opinion

Supreme Court of Florida

____________

No. SC15-44

____________

IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORMS.

[March 26, 2015]

PER CURIAM.

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 has determined that amendments to the existing

forms are needed in light of the implementation of e-service and e-filing

procedures. Input on these issues was received from the Advisory Workgroup on

the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms, which provided valuable

assistance. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.

In general, the amendments to the forms add language explaining e-service

and e-filing to the instruction sections of the forms, add e-mail as method of

service to the certificate of service for forms not requiring personal service, and

add information about e-service and e-filing procedures to the General Instructions

for Self-Represented Litigants. Amendments are also made to several forms in

response to recent Court opinions or statutory changes. Other minor amendments

are made to update the “nonlawyer clause” and the certificate of service in a

number of forms.

The amended forms are hereby adopted as set forth in the appendix to this

opinion, fully engrossed. The amendments to the forms shall become effective

immediately and may be accessed and downloaded from the Florida State Court’s

website at www.flcourts.org/resources-and-services/court-improvement/problem-

solving-courts/family-courts/family-law-forms.stml. By adoption of the amended

forms, we express no opinion as to their correctness or applicability. We also

direct that the amended forms be published for comment. Interested persons shall

have sixty days from the date of this opinion to file comments with the Court.1

1. All comments must be filed with the Court on or before May 25, 2015, as

well as a separate request for oral argument if the person filing the comment

wishes to participate in oral argument, which may be scheduled in this case. If

filed by an attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar, the comment must be

electronically filed via the Portal in accordance with In re: Electronic Filing in the

Supreme Court of Florida via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, Fla. Admin. Order

No. AOSC13-7 (Feb 18, 2013). If filed by a non-lawyer or a lawyer not licensed

to practice in Florida, the comment must be electronically filed via e-mail in

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It is so ordered.

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

and PERRY, JJ., concur.

THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE

EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS.

Original Proceedings – Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms

accordance with In re Mandatory Submission of Electronic Copies of Documents,

Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC04-84 (Sept. 13, 2004). Electronically filed

documents must be submitted in Microsoft Word 97 or higher. Any person unable

to submit a comment electronically must mail or hand-deliver the originally signed

comment to the Florida Supreme Court, Office of the Clerk, 500 South Duval

Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1927; no additional copies are required or will

be accepted.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW

FORM 12.901(b)(1),

PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE WITH DEPENDENT OR

MINOR CHILD(REN) (03/15)

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. Because you are filing the petition in this

proceeding, you may also be referred to as the petitioner and your spouse as the respondent.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-FILING

The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that all petitions, pleadings, and documents be

filed electronically except in certain circumstances. Self-represented litigants may file petitions or other

pleadings or documents electronically; however, they are not required to do so. If you choose to file

your pleadings or other documents electronically, you must do so in accordance with Florida Rule of

Judicial Administration 2.525, and you must follow the procedures of the judicial circuit in which you file.

The rules and procedures should be carefully read and followed.

What should I do next?

For your case 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, which cannot include either spousal support (alimony) or child

support. For more information on constructive service, see Notice of Action for Family Cases with

Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.913(a)(2), 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) and Affidavit of Military Service, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form

12.912(b). 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.

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for

Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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If personal service is used, your spouse 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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-SERVICE ELECTION

After the initial service of process of the petition or supplemental petition by the Sheriff or certified

process server, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that all documents required or

permitted to be served on the other party must be served by electronic mail (e-mail) except in certain

circumstances. You must strictly comply with the format requirements set forth in the Rules of Judicial

Administration.

SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS MAY SERVE DOCUMENTS BY E-MAIL; HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT

REQUIRED TO DO SO. If a self-represented litigant elects to serve and receive documents by e-mail, the

procedures must always be followed once the initial election is made.

To serve and receive documents by e-mail, you must designate your e-mail addresses by using the

Designation of Current Mailing and E-mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form

12.915, and you must provide your e-mail address on each form on which your signature appears.

Please CAREFULLY read the rules and instructions for: Certificate of Service (General), Florida Supreme

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for

Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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Court Approved Family Law Form 12.914; Designation of Current Mailing and E-mail Address, Florida

Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915; and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516.

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 you want to keep your address confidential because you are the victim of sexual battery, aggravated

child abuse, aggravated stalking, harassment, aggravated battery, or domestic violence, do not enter the

address, telephone, and fax information at the bottom of this form. Instead, file a 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 Form 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), (b), or (c). 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 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).

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for

Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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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 child(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 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 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 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 has an actual need for

it and also finds that the other spouse has the ability to pay. 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 permanent alimony,

bridge-the-gap alimony, durational 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. Nonmarital assets and nonmarital liabilities are those

assets and liabilities which the parties agree or the court determines belong to, or are the responsibility

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for

Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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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). 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 child(ren), a Parenting Plan shall be approved

or established by the court. If you and your spouse have reached an agreement, you should file one of

the following: Parenting Plan, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(a), Safety-

Focused Parenting Plan, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(b), or

Relocation/Long-Distance Parenting Plan, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(c),

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.

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for

Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No.:

Division:

In re: The Marriage of:

______________________________,

Husband,

and

_______________________________,

Wife.

PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE WITH

DEPENDENT OR MINOR CHILD(REN)

I, {full legal name} , the

{Choose only one}

_____ Husband _____ Wife, being sworn, certify that the following statements are true:

1. JURISDICTION/RESIDENCE

_____Husband _____ Wife _____ Both has (have) lived in Florida for at least 6 months before the filing

of this Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

2. The husband _____ is or _____ is not a member of the military service.

The wife _____ is or _____ is not a member of the military service.

3. MARRIAGE HISTORY

Date of marriage: {month, day, year} ___________________

Date of separation: {month, day, year}_________________ (____Please indicate if approximate)

Place of marriage: {county, state, country} __________________________________________

4. DEPENDENT OR MINOR CHILD(REN)

{Choose all that apply}

a. _____ The wife is pregnant. Baby is due on: {date} _______________________

b. _____ The minor (under 18) child(ren) common to both parties are:

Name Birth date

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of

Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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_____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________

c._____ The minor child(ren) born or conceived during the marriage who are not common to both

parties are:

Name Birth date

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

The birth father(s) of the above minor child(ren) is (are) {name and address} ________________

______________________________________________________________________________

d._____The child(ren) common to both parties who are 18 or older but who are dependent upon the

parties due to a mental or physical disability are:

Name Birth date

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

5. A completed Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form

12.902(b) or (c) {choose only one} _____ is filed with this petition or _____ will be timely filed.

6. A completed Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida

Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), is filed with this petition. (You must

complete and attach this form in a dissolution of marriage with minor child(ren)).

7. A completed Notice of Social Security Number, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law

Form 12.902(j), is filed with this petition.

8. This petition for dissolution of marriage should be granted because:

{Choose only one}

a. _____ The marriage is irretrievably broken.

b. _____ One of the parties has been adjudged mentally incapacitated for a period of 3 years

prior to the filing of this petition. A copy of the Judgment of Incapacity is attached.

SECTION I. MARITAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

1. _____ There are no marital assets or liabilities.

2. _____ There are marital assets or liabilities. All marital and nonmarital assets and liabilities are

(or will be) listed in the financial affidavits, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form

12.902(b) or (c), filed in this case.

{Indicate all that apply}

a._____ All marital assets and liabilities have been divided by a written agreement between the parties,

which is attached, to be incorporated into the final judgment of dissolution of marriage. (The parties

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of

Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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may use Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren),

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1).

b._____ The Court should determine how the assets and liabilities of this marriage are to be distributed,

under section 61.075, Florida Statutes.

c._____ Husband _____Wife should be awarded an interest in the other spouse’s property because:

______________________________________________________________________________

SECTION II. SPOUSAL SUPPORT (ALIMONY)

1. _____ Husband _____Wife forever gives up his/her right to spousal support (alimony) from

the other spouse.

2. _____ Husband _____Wife requests that the Court order the other spouse to pay the following

spousal support (alimony) and claims that he or she has an actual need for the support that he

or she is requesting and that the other spouse has the ability to pay that support. Spousal

support (alimony) is requested in the amount of $________ every _____ week _____ other

week _____ month, beginning {date} ___________________ and continuing until {date or

event} _____________________________________________________________________.

{Explain why the Court should order ____Husband ____Wife to pay, and any specific request(s) for type

of alimony (temporary, permanent, bridge-the-gap, durational, rehabilitative, and/or lump sum}:

3. _____Other provisions relating to alimony, including any tax treatment and consequences:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________.

4. _____ Husband _____ Wife requests life insurance on the other spouse’s life, provided by that

spouse, to secure such support.

SECTION III. PARENTING PLAN ESTABLISHING PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND TIME-SHARING

1. The minor child(ren) currently reside(s) with _____ Mother _____ Father _____ Other: {explain}

2. Parental Responsibility. It is in the child(ren)’s best interests that parental responsibility be:

{Choose only one}

a. ____ shared by both Father and Mother.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of

Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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b. ____ awarded solely to _____ Father _____ Mother. Shared parental responsibility would

be detrimental to the child(ren) because:_________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________.

3. Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing.

It is in the best interests of the child(ren) that the family be ordered to comply with a Parenting

Plan that _____ includes _____ does not include parental time-sharing with the child(ren). The

Petitioner states that it is in the best interests of the child(ren) that:

{Choose only one}

a.____ The attached proposed Parenting Plan should be adopted by the court. The parties

{Choose only one} _____ have _____ have not agreed to the Parenting Plan.

b.____ The court should establish a Parenting Plan with the following provisions:

____ No time-sharing for the _____ Father____ Mother.

____ Limited time-sharing with the ____Father____Mother.

____ Supervised Time-Sharing for the _____ Father_____ Mother.

____ Supervised or third-party exchange of the child(ren).

____ Time-Sharing Schedule as follows:

______________________________________________________________________________

4. Explain why this request is in the best interests of the child(ren):

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________.

SECTION IV. CHILD SUPPORT

{Choose all that apply}

1. ____ Husband ____Wife requests that the Court award child support as determined by Florida’s

child support guidelines, section 61.30, Florida Statutes. A completed Child Support Guidelines

Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), _____ is, or _____ will be

filed. Such support should be ordered retroactive to:

a. ____ the date of separation {date} _________________________ .

b. ____ the date of the filing of this petition.

c. ____ other {date} ____________ {explain} ___________________________________.

2. ____ Husband ____Wife requests that the Court award child support to be paid beyond the age

of 18 years because:

a.____ the following child(ren) {name(s)}

is (are) dependent because of a mental or physical incapacity which began before the age of 18.

{explain}

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of

Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

- 12 -

b.____ the following child(ren) {name(s)}________________________is (are) dependent in fact, is (are)

in high school, and are between the ages of 18 and 19; said child(ren) is (are) performing in good faith

with reasonable expectation of graduation before the age of 19.

3. _____Husband _____ Wife requests that the Court award a child support amount that is more

than or less than Florida’s child support guidelines and understands that a Motion to Deviate

from Child Support Guidelines, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.943, must

be filed before the Court will consider this request.

4. _____Husband _____Wife requests that medical/dental insurance for the minor child(ren) be

provided by:

{Choose only one}

a. ____ Husband.

b. ____ Wife.

5. ____Husband ____ Wife requests that uninsured medical/dental expenses for the child(ren) be

paid:

{Choose only one}

a. ____by Husband.

b. ____by Wife.

c. ____by Husband and Wife equally [each pay one-half].

d. ____according to the percentages in the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family

Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e).

e. ____Other {explain}: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

6. _____Husband ____Wife requests that life insurance to secure child support be provided by the

other spouse.

SECTION V. OTHER

1. ____ Wife requests to be known by her former name, which was {full legal name}:

_____________________________________________________________________ .

2. Other relief {specify}:

______________________________________________________________________________

SECTION VI. REQUEST (This section summarizes what you are asking the Court to include in the final

judgment of dissolution of marriage.)

____Husband ___Wife requests that the Court enter an order dissolving the marriage and:

{Indicate all that apply}

1. ____distributing marital assets and liabilities as requested in Section I of this petition;

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of

Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

- 13 -

2. ____awarding spousal support (alimony) as requested in Section II of this petition;

3. ____ adopting or establishing a Parenting Plan containing provisions for parental responsibility

and time-sharing for the dependent or minor child(ren) common to both parties, as requested in

Section III of this petition;

4. ____establishing child support for the dependent or minor child(ren) common to both parties,

as requested in Section IV of this petition;

5. ____restoring Wife’s former name as requested in Section V of this petition;

6. ____awarding other relief as requested in Section V of this petition; and any other terms the

Court deems necessary.

I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims made in this

petition and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or

imprisonment.

Dated_________________________ _____________________________________________

Signature of _____ HUSBAND _____WIFE

Printed Name:

Address: ______________________________________

City, State, Zip: _________________________________

Telephone Number: _____________________________

Fax Number: __________________________________________

Designated E-mail Address(es): ____________________

_____________________________________________

STATE OF FLORIDA

COUNTY OF ____________________

Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on __________ by _________________________________.

_____________________________________________

NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK

_____________________________________________

{Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of notary or deputy clerk.}

____ Personally known

____ Produced identification

Type of identification produced ________________________________

IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW:

[fill in all blanks] This form was prepared for the: {choose only one} ( ) Husband ( ) Wife

This form was completed with the assistance of:

{name of individual}_______________________________________________________________,

{name of business} ________________________________________________________________,

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of

Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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{address} ________________________________________________________________________,

{city}________________{state}_____, {zip code}________, {telephone number} _______________.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of

Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW

FORM 12.901(b)(2)

PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE WITH PROPERTY BUT NO

DEPENDENT OR MINOR CHILD(REN) (03/15)

When should this form be used?

This form may be used when a husband or wife is filing for a dissolution of marriage, and the husband

and wife have marital assets and/or marital liabilities but they do not have any dependent children nor

is the wife pregnant. You and/or your spouse must have lived in Florida for at least 6 months before

filing for a dissolution in Florida. If you and your spouse agree on all issues and both can attend the

hearing, you may want to file a Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, Florida Family Law Rules

of Procedure Form 12.901(a). However, you cannot file for a simplified dissolution of marriage if any of

the following are true:

 You disagree about property, debts, or other matters and wish to have a judge settle them for you.

 Either you or your spouse is seeking support (alimony).

 You would like to ask questions and get documents concerning your spouse’s income, expenses,

assets, debts, or other matters before having a trial or settlement.

 You would like to reserve your rights to have any matters reconsidered or appeal the judge’s

decision.

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. Because you are filing the petition in this

proceeding, you may also be referred to as the petitioner and your spouse as the respondent.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-FILING

The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that all petitions, pleadings, and documents be

filed electronically except in certain circumstances. Self-represented litigants may file petitions or other

pleadings or documents electronically; however, they are not required to do so. If you choose to file

your pleadings or other documents electronically, you must do so in accordance with Florida Rule of

Judicial Administration 2.525, and you must follow the procedures of the judicial circuit in which you file.

The rules and procedures should be carefully read and followed.

What should I do next?

For your case 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 which cannot include spousal support (alimony). For more

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(2), Petition for

Dissolution of Marriage with Property but No Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (03/15)

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information on constructive service, see Notice of Action for Dissolution of Marriage (No Child or

Financial Support), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.913(a)(1), and Affidavit of