Answer To Petition To Determine Paternity And For Related Relief w-Instructions {12.983(b)}

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.983(b) ANSWER TO PETITION TO DETERMINE PATERNITY AND FOR RELATED RELIEF (11/15) When should this form be used? This form should be used when you are responding to a petition to determine paternity. You may use this form to admit or deny the allegations contained in the petition. However, if you wish to ask the court for things not included in the petition, such as, parental responsibility and time-sharing or child support, you should file an Answer to Petition and Counterpetition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.983(c). This form should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, you should sign this 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. 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. 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. 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 Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.983(b), Answer to Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief (11/15) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915; and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516. What should I do next? If you deny that the person named in the petition is the child(ren)'s father, a Motion for Scientific Paternity Testing, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.983(e), should be filed. This is used to ask the court to order a scientific test to determine who is the child(ren)'s father. You have 20 days to file an answer to the other party's petition. A copy of this form, along with all of the other forms required with this answer, must be mailed, e-mailed, or hand delivered to the other party in your case. After you file your answer, the case will generally proceed in one of the following two ways: UNCONTESTED... This case is uncontested if you and the petitioner agree on all issues raised in the petition. 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... This case is contested if you and the other party disagree on any issues raised in the petition. 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? 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 742, Florida Statutes. Special notes... With this answer, you must file the following and provide a copy to the other party: Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d). 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 the 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 the 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.) Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Fa