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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) (02/18)

When should this form be used?

This form should be used when you are filing for a dissolution of marriage, and you and your spouse have a dependent or minor child(ren) together, or a spouse is pregnant. You 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 a spouse 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 your spouse lives, you should use personal service. If you absolutely do not know where your spouse 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(c). 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) (02/18)

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 contact 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 contact 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. If you elect to participate in electronic service, which means serving or receiving pleadings by electronic mail (e-mail), or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, you must review Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516. You may find this rule at www.flcourts.org through the link to the Rules of Judicial Administration provided under either Family Law Forms: Getting Started, or Rules of Court in the A-Z Topical Index.

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.

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)

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 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 your spouse’s 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

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)

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).

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. Both parents are required to provide financial support for their minor or dependent child(ren); however, the court may order one parent to pay child support 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 child(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 one spouse 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. 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, , and/or rehabilitative alimony. If alimony is awarded, the judge may order periodic payments, payments in lump sum, or both.

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

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)

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). 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) (02/18)

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

d. ___The minor child(ren) born or conceived during the marriage who are not common to both parties are:

NameBirth date

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

e.___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:

NameBirth 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.

OR

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.

OR

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)

4._____ Petitioner 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 _____ Petitioner _____ Respondent _____ 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 parents;

b.____ awarded solely to _____ Petitioner _____ Respondent . 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). For purposes of a Parenting Plan, the Petitioner will be referred to as {name or designation}____________________, and the Respondent will be referred to as {name or designation}_________________________________. 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. _____Each child will have time-sharing with both parents as follows: __________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

(_____ Indicate if a separate sheet is attached.)

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

{Insert name or designation of the appropriate parent in the space provided}

____ No time-sharing for Parent _____________

____ Limited time-sharing with Parent __________

____ Supervised Time-Sharing for Parent ___________Parent___________;

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

____ Explain:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.901(b)(1), Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)