Answer To Supplemental Petition w-Instructions {12.903(e)}

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(e), Answer to Supplemental Petition (02/18) INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.903(e), ANSWER TO SUPPLEMENTAL PETITION (02/18) 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). 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 the case was filed and keep a copy for your records. This must be done within 20 days of receiving the supplemental petition. 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? 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. Regardless of whether you file a counterpetition, you have 20 days to answer after being served with the other party petition. After you file your answer, the case will generally proceed in one of the following two ways: UNCONTESTED. petition and you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers, either American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(e), Answer to Supplemental Petition (02/18) party may contact 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 -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. 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 Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915; and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516. American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(e), Answer to Supplemental Petition (02/18) Special notes... With this form, you may also need to 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 the other party 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(renjurisdiction 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 si