Case Title: Amendments to the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms

Citation: 

Docket Number: SC02-2320

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2002-12-19T00:00:00Z

Document:
1  Specifically, chapter 2002-65 created sections 61.501 through 61.542,
Florida Statutes (2002), and repealed sections 61.1302 through 61.1348, Florida
Statutes (2001).
Supreme Court of Florida
____________
No. SC02-2320
____________
AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED 
FAMILY LAW FORMS--UCCJA FORMS.
[December 19, 2002]
PER CURIAM.
The 2002 Florida Legislature enacted chapter 2002-65, Laws of Florida,
effective October 1, 2002, which created the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction
and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) and repealed the Uniform Child Custody
Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA).  See Ch. 2002-65, §§ 5, 7, Laws of Fla.1  In light of
these statutory amendments, this Court has internally reviewed the Florida Supreme
Court Approved Family Law Forms pursuant to the procedures established in
Amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure and Family Law
2
Forms, 810 So. 2d 1, 12-14 (Fla. 2000).  We have determined that it is necessary to
substitute references to the UCCJEA for references to the UCCJA.  We have
jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
Accordingly, we retitle Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form
12.902(d) from "Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA) Affidavit" to
"Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit." 
In the instructions for form 12.902(d), we replace the reference to sections
"61.1302-61.1354" with a reference to newly enacted sections "61.501-61.542." 
Amended form 12.902(d) is attached as an appendix to this opinion.
Finally, we amend all Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms
that refer to form 12.902(d) by substituting "Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction
and Enforcement Act" and "UCCJEA" for "Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction
Act" and  "UCCJA."  There are no other changes to the substance of these forms
and thus we do not include these forms in the appendix.  The amended forms are
as follows: 
12.901(b)(1)
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor
Child(ren)
12.903(a)
Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of
Dissolution of Marriage
12.903(b)
Answer to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
12.903(c)(1)
Answer to Petition and Counterpetition for 
Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren)
3
12.903(e)
Answer to Supplemental Petition
12.904(a)
Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage
with Dependent or Minor Child(ren)
12.905(a)
Supplemental Petition to Modify Custody or Visitation and
Other Relief
12.940(d)
Motion to Modify or Dissolve Temporary Injunction
12.941(a)
Verified Motion for Temporary Injunction to 
Prevent Removal of Minor Child(ren)
12.941(d)
Emergency Verified Motion for Child Pick-Up Order
12.941(e)
Order to Pick-Up Minor Child(ren)
12.947(a)
Motion for Temporary Support with Dependent or Minor
Child(ren)
12.980(b)
Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence
12.980(d)(1)
Temporary Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence
with Minor Child(ren)
12.980(e)(1)
Final Judgment of Injunction for Protection Against Domestic
Violence with Minor Child(ren)
12.980(k)
Motion for Modification of Injunction for Protection
12.981(a)(1)
Petition to Terminate Parental Rights Pending Stepparent
Adoption 
12.981(b)(1)
Joint Petition for Adoption by Stepparent
12.983(a)
Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief
12.983(b)
Answer to Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief
12.983(c)
Answer to Petition and Counterpetition to Determine Paternity
and for Related Relief
The amendments discussed herein are effective immediately.  We express no
opinion as to the correctness or applicability of the forms or on the substance of
the amendments.  This opinion and the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family
Law Forms may be accessed and downloaded from this Court’s website at
www.flcourts.org. 
It is so ordered.
4
ANSTEAD, C.J., and SHAW, WELLS, PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, and
CANTERO, JJ., concur.
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS.
Original Proceeding - Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement
Act (UCCJEA) Aff
idavit (12/02)  
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM
12.902(d),
UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT (UCCJEA)
AFFIDAVIT
When should this form be used?
This form should be used in any case involving custody of or visitation with any minor child(ren).  This
affidavit is required even if the custody and visitation of the minor child(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, O 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, O 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 (12/02)
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE                                                       JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,
IN AND FOR                                                       COUNTY, FLORIDA
Case No.: 
Division: 
                                                                      ,
              Petitioner,
and
                                                                       ,
            Respondent.
UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT (UCCJEA)
AFFIDAVIT
I, {full legal name} 
, being sworn, certify that the following
statements are true:
1.
The number of minor child(ren) subject to this proceeding is 
.  The name, place of
birth, birth date, and sex of each child; the present address, periods of residence, and places where each
child has lived within the past five (5) years; and the name, present address, and relationship to the
child of each person with whom the child has lived during that time are:
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT CHILD #     1   :
Child’s Full Legal Name: 
  
Place of Birth: 
  Date of Birth: 
  Sex: 
Child’s Residence for the past 5 years:
Dates
(From/To)
Address (including city and
state) where child lived
Name and present address of
person child lived with
Relationship
to child
         
/present*
           /           
           /           
           /           
           /           
(Make as many copies of page 2 as necessary.)
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
Affidavit (12/02)
           /           
*  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, O 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 enter the address
where you are currently living.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT CHILD #         :
Child’s Full Legal Name: 
  
Place of Birth: 
  Date of Birth: 
  Sex: 
Child’s Residence for the past 5 years:
Dates
(From/To)
Address (including city and
state) where child lived
Name and present address of
person child lived with
Relationship
to child
          /present
           /           
           /           
           /           
           /           
           /           
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TRUE ABOUT CHILD #         :
Child’s Full Legal Name: 
  
Place of Birth: 
  Date of Birth: 
  Sex: 
Child’s Residence for the past 5 years:
Dates
(From/To)
Address (including city and
state) where child lived
Name and present address of
person child lived with
Relationship
to child
          /present
           /           
           /           
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
Affidavit (12/02)
           /           
           /           
           /           
2.
Participation in custody proceeding(s):
[ / one only]
       
I HAVE NOT participated as a party, witness, or in any capacity in any other litigation or custody
proceeding in this or any other state, concerning custody of a child subject to this proceeding.
       
I HAVE participated as a party, witness, or in any capacity in any other litigation or custody
proceeding in this or another state, concerning custody of a child subject to this proceeding. 
Explain:
a.  Name of each child: 
b.  Type of proceeding: 
c.  Court and state: 
d.  Date of court order or judgment (if any): 
3.
Information about custody proceeding(s):
[ / one only]
       
I HAVE NO INFORMATION of any custody proceeding pending in a court of this or any other
state concerning a child subject to this proceeding.
       
I HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION concerning a custody proceeding pending in a
court of this or another state concerning a child subject to this proceeding, other than set out in
item 2.  Explain:
a.  Name of each child: 
b.  Type of proceeding: 
c.  Court and state: 
d.  Date of court order or judgment (if any): 
4.
Persons not a party to this proceeding:
[ / one only]
       
I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY PERSON not a party to this proceeding who has physical custody
or claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to any child subject to this proceeding.
       
I KNOW THAT THE FOLLOWING NAMED PERSON(S) not a party to this proceeding has
(have) physical custody or claim(s) to have custody or visitation rights with respect to any child
subject to this proceeding:
a.  Name and address of person: 
(    ) has physical custody (    ) claims custody rights (    ) claims visitation rights.
Name of each child: 
b.  Name and address of person: 
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
Affidavit (12/02)
(    ) has physical custody (    ) claims custody rights (    ) claims visitation rights.
Name of each child: 
c.  Name and address of person: 
(    ) has physical custody (    ) claims custody rights (    ) claims visitation rights.
Name of each child: 
5.
Knowledge of prior child support proceedings:
[ / one only]
       
The child(ren) described in this affidavit are NOT subject to existing child support order(s) in this
or any state or territory.
       
The child(ren) described in this affidavit are subject to the following existing child support
order(s):
a.  Name of each child: 
b.  Type of proceeding: 
c.  Court and address: 
d.  Date of court order/judgment (if any): 
e.  Amount of child support paid and by whom: 
6.
I acknowledge that I have a continuing duty to advise this Court of any custody,
visitation, child support, or guardianship proceeding (including dissolution of marriage,
separate maintenance, child neglect, or dependency) concerning the child(ren) in this
state or any other state about which information is obtained during this proceeding.
I certify that a copy of this document was [ / one only] (    ) mailed (    ) faxed and mailed (    )
hand delivered to the person(s) listed below on {date} 
.
Other party or his/her attorney:
Name: 
Address: 
City, State, Zip: 
Fax Number: 
I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims
made in this affidavit and that the punishment for k nowingly making a false statement includes
fines and/or imprisonment.
Dated:                                                   
Signature of Party
Printed Name: 
Address: 
City, State, Zip: 
Telephone Number: 
Fax Number: 
STATE OF FLORIDA
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
Affidavit (12/02)
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 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: [ N fill in all blanks]
I, {full legal name and trade name of nonlawyer} 
,
a nonlawyer, located at {street} 
, {city} 
,
{state} 
, {phone} 
, helped {name} 
,
who is the [ / one only]       petitioner or       respondent, fill out this form.