Title: In Re: Amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC12-1205 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULES OF 
PROCEDURE. 
 
[November 14, 2013] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
This matter is before the Court for consideration of proposed amendments to 
the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 
2(a), Fla. Const. 
Previously in this case, on petition by the Family Law Rules Committee 
(Committee), the Court adopted amendments to rules 12.010 (Scope, Purpose, and 
Title); 12.070 (Process); 12.080 (Service of Pleadings and Filing of Documents); 
12.200 (Case Management and Pretrial Conferences); 12.285 (Mandatory 
Disclosure); 12.490 (General Magistrates); 12.492 (Special Magistrates); 12.610 
(Injunctions for Protection Against Domestic, Repeat, Dating, and Sexual 
Violence, and Stalking); and 12.750 (Family Self-Help Programs).  See In re 
Amendments to the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, 95 So. 3d 126 (Fla. 
 
- 2 - 
2012).  The amendments were in response to chapter 2012-153, section 3, Laws of 
Florida, which took effect October 1, 2012.  Chapter 2012-153, section 3, created 
section 784.0485, Florida Statutes, which established “a cause of action for an 
injunction for protection against stalking.” § 784.0485(1), Fla. Stat. (2012).  The 
amendments added references to injunctions for protection against stalking 
throughout the Family Law Rules of Procedure related to injunctions for protection 
against domestic, repeat, dating, and sexual violence.  Id. at 127.   
After adoption of the amendments, interested persons were permitted a 
comment period.  Id.  One comment was filed addressing only the amendments to 
rule 12.610 (Injunctions for Protection Against Domestic, Repeat, Dating, and 
Sexual Violence, and Stalking), and the Committee filed a response.  The 
Committee also filed a supplemental petition seeking to amend Florida Family 
Law Rules of Procedure Forms 12.900(h) (Notice of Related Cases) and 12.928 
(Family Law Coversheet).   
Upon consideration of the comment, the Committee’s response, and the 
Committee’s Supplemental Petition, we hereby amend rule 12.610 and forms 
12.900(h) and 12.928 as reflected in the appendix to this opinion.  Language added 
to rule 12.610 is underlined; deleted language is stricken through.  The forms are 
fully engrossed and ready for use.  The forms also may be accessed and 
downloaded from the Florida State Courts’ website at 
 
- 3 - 
www.flcourts.org/gen_public/family/forms_rules/index.shtml.  By adoption of the 
amended forms, we express no opinion as to their correctness or applicability.  The 
amendments to rule 12.610 and the amendments to forms 12.900(h) and 12.928 
shall become effective immediately upon release of this opinion.     
It is so ordered.  
 
POLSTON, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, LABARGA and 
PERRY, concur. 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS.  
 
Original Proceedings – The Florida Family Law Rules Committee  
 
Mary Louise Miller Wagstaff of Wagstaff Law Office PA, Chair, Family Law 
Rules Committee, Largo, Florida; Ashley J. McCorvey Myers, Past Chair, Family 
Law Rules Committee, Jacksonville, Florida; Matthew B. Capstraw, Past Chair, 
Family Law Rules Committee, Longwood, Florida; John F. Harkness, Jr., 
Executive Director, and Ellen H. Sloyer, Staff Liaison, The Florida Bar, 
Tallahassee, Florida,  
 
for Petitioner 
 
Robin J. Scher, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Amy L. Cosentino, Greenacres, 
Florida, 
 
 
Responding with comments 
 
 
 
- 4 - 
APPENDIX 
 
RULE 12.610.  
INJUNCTIONS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST 
DOMESTIC, REPEAT, DATING, AND SEXUAL 
VIOLENCE, AND STALKING 
  
(a) 
[No change] 
 
(b) 
Petitions.  
 
(1) – (2) [No change] 
 
 
(3) 
Consideration by Court.  
 
(A) 
Domestic Violence and Stalking Injunctions. Upon the 
filing of a petition, the court shall set a hearing to be held at the earliest possible 
time. A denial of a petition for an ex parte injunction shall be by written order 
noting the legal grounds for denial. When the only ground for denial is no 
appearance of an immediate and present danger of domestic, repeat, dating, or 
sexual violence,
 
 or stalking, the court shall set a full hearing on the petition for 
injunction with notice at the earliest possible time. Nothing herein affects a 
petitioner’s right to promptly amend any petition, or otherwise be heard in person 
on any petition consistent with these rules.  
 
(B) 
Repeat, Dating, or Sexual Violence Injunctions.  Upon 
the filing of a petition, the court shall set a hearing to be held at the earliest 
possible time. Nothing herein affects a petitioner’s right to promptly amend any 
petition or otherwise be heard in person on any petition consistent with these rules. 
(4) 
[No change]  
 
(c) 
Orders of Injunction.  
 
(1) 
Consideration by Court.  
 
(A) 
Temporary Injunction.  
 
 
(i) 
Domestic, Repeat, Dating, or Sexual Violence. 
For the injunction for protection to be issued ex parte, it must appear to the court 
that an immediate and present danger of domestic, repeat, dating, or sexual 
 
- 5 - 
violence or stalking exists. In an ex parte hearing for the purpose of obtaining an 
ex parte temporary injunction, the court may limit the evidence to the verified 
pleadings or affidavits for a determination of whether there is an imminent danger 
that the petitioner will become a victim of domestic, repeat, dating, or sexual 
violence or stalking
 
. If the respondent appears at the hearing or has received 
reasonable notice of the hearing, the court may hold a hearing on the petition. If a 
verified petition and affidavit are amended, the court shall consider the 
amendments as if originally filed.  
 
 
(ii) 
Stalking. For the injunction for protection to be 
issued ex parte, it must appear to the court that stalking exists. In an ex parte 
hearing for the purpose of obtaining an ex parte temporary injunction, the court 
may limit the evidence to the verified pleadings or affidavits for a determination of 
whether stalking exists. If the respondent appears at the hearing or has received 
reasonable notice of the hearing, the court may hold the hearing on the petition. If a 
verified petition and affidavit are amended, the court shall consider the 
amendments as if originally filed. 
(B) – (C) [No change] 
 
  
(2) – (3) [No change] 
 
  
Commentary 
[No change] 
  
 
Committee Note 
[No change] 
 
Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(h), Notice of Related Cases (11/13) 
-6 - 
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE 
FORM 12.900(h), NOTICE OF RELATED CASES (11/13) 
 
When should this form be used? 
 
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.545(d) requires the petitioner in a family law case to file 
with the court a notice of related cases, if any. Your circuit may also require this form to be filed 
even if there are no related cases. A case is considered related if  
 
• 
it involves the same parties, children, or issues and is pending when the family law 
case is filed; or 
• 
it affects the court’s jurisdiction to proceed; or 
• 
an order in the related case may conflict with an order on the same issues in the 
new case; or 
• 
an order in the new case may conflict with an order in the earlier case. 
 
This form is used to provide the required notice to the court.  
 
This form should be typed or printed in black ink. It must be filed with the clerk of the circuit 
court with the initial pleading in the family law case.  
 
What should I do next? 
 
A copy of the form must be served on the presiding judges,  either the chief judge or the family 
law administrative judge, and all parties in the related cases. You should also keep a copy for 
your records. Service must be in accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516. 
 
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 Florida Rule of Judicial 
Administration 2.545(d). 
Special notes . . . 
 
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 
Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(h), Notice of Related Cases (11/13) 
-7 - 
 
Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(a), before he or she helps you. A nonlawyer helping 
you fill out these forms must also 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 Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(h), Notice of Related Cases (11/13) 
- 8 - 
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE                                                       JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, 
IN AND FOR                                                       COUNTY, FLORIDA 
 
Case No.:  
 
 
 
 
Division:   
 
 
 
 
 
_____________________________, 
Petitioner, 
and 
 
_____________________________, 
Respondent. 
 
NOTICE OF RELATED CASES 
 
1. 
Petitioner submits this Notice of Related Cases as required by Florida Rule of Judicial 
Administration 2.545(d). A related case may be an open or closed civil, criminal, guardianship, 
domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, or domestic relations case. A case is 
“related” to this family law case if it involves any of the same parties, children, or issues and it is 
pending at the time the party files a family case; if it affects the court’s jurisdiction to proceed; if an 
order in the related case may conflict with an order on the same issues in the new case; or if an 
order in the new case may conflict with an order in the earlier litigation. 
 
[check one only] 
___ There are no related cases. 
___ The following are the related cases (add additional pages if necessary): 
 
Related Case No. 1 
Case Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________ 
 Petitioner ________________________________________________________________________                                
Respondent 
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Case No.: _________________________________ Division:  ________________________________ 
 
 
Type of Proceeding:  [check all that apply]  
____ Dissolution of Marriage   
 
____ Paternity   
____ Custody   
 
 
 
____ Adoption   
____ Child Support  
 
 
____ Modification/Enforcement/Contempt Proceedings 
____ Juvenile Dependency  
 
____ Juvenile Delinquency   
____ Termination of Parental Rights  
____ Criminal   
____ Domestic/Sexual/Dating/Repeat  
____ Mental Health 
 
 
 
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(h), Notice of Related Cases (11/13) 
- 9 - 
           Violence or Stalking Injunctions            ____ Other {specify}___________________________ 
 
 
 
State where case was decided or is pending: ____ Florida ____ Other: {specify} _________________ 
 
Name of Court where case was decided or is pending (for example, Fifth Circuit Court, Marion 
County, Florida): __________________________________________________________________ 
Title of last Court Order/Judgment (if any): ______________________________________________ 
Date of Court Order/Judgment (if any): _________________________________________________  
 
Relationship of cases [check all that apply]: 
____ pending case involves same parties, children, or issues;  
____ may affect court’s jurisdiction;  
____ order in related case may conflict with an order in this case;  
____ order in this case may conflict with previous order in related case. 
Statement as to the relationship of the cases:  ____________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
Related Case No. 2 
Case Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________ 
 Petitioner ________________________________________________________________________                                
Respondent 
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Case No.: _________________________________ Division:  ________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
Type of Proceeding:  [check all that apply]  
____ Dissolution of Marriage   
 
____ Paternity   
____ Custody   
 
 
 
____ Adoption   
____ Child Support  
 
 
____ Modification/Enforcement/Contempt Proceedings 
____ Juvenile Dependency  
 
____ Juvenile Delinquency   
____ Termination of Parental Rights  
____ Criminal   
____ Domestic/Sexual/Dating/Repeat  
____ Mental Health 
           Violence or Stalking Injunctions 
____Other {specify}__________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
State where case was decided or is pending: ____ Florida ____ Other: {specify} _________________ 
 
Name of Court where case was decided or is pending (for example, Fifth Circuit Court, Marion 
County, Florida): __________________________________________________________________ 
Title of last Court Order/Judgment (if any): ______________________________________________ 
Date of Court Order/Judgment (if any): _________________________________________________  
 
 
 
 
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(h), Notice of Related Cases (11/13) 
- 10 - 
Relationship of cases [check all that apply]: 
____ pending case involves same parties, children, or issues;  
____ may affect court’s jurisdiction;  
____ order in related case may conflict with an order in this case;  
____ order in this case may conflict with previous order in related case. 
 
Statement as to the relationship of the cases:  ____________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
Related Case No. 3 
Case Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________ 
 Petitioner ________________________________________________________________________                                
Respondent 
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Case No.: _________________________________ Division:  ________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
Type of Proceeding:  [check all that apply]  
____ Dissolution of Marriage   
 
____ Paternity   
____ Custody   
 
 
 
____ Adoption   
____ Child Support  
 
 
____ Modification/Enforcement/Contempt Proceedings 
____ Juvenile Dependency  
 
____ Juvenile Delinquency   
____ Termination of Parental Rights  
____ Criminal   
____ Domestic/Sexual/Dating/Repeat  
____ Mental Health 
 
    Violence or Stalking Injunctions 
____Other {specify} __________________________ 
 
State where case was decided or is pending: ____ Florida ____ Other: {specify} _________________ 
 
Name of Court where case was decided or is pending (for example, Fifth Circuit Court, Marion 
County, Florida): __________________________________________________________________ 
Title of last Court Order/Judgment (if any): ______________________________________________ 
Date of Court Order/Judgment (if any): _________________________________________________  
 
Relationship of cases [check all that apply]: 
____ Pending case involves same parties, children, or issues;  
____ may affect court’s jurisdiction;  
____ Order in related case may conflict with an order in this case;  
____ order in this case may conflict with previous order in related case. 
Statement as to the relationship of the cases:  ____________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(h), Notice of Related Cases (11/13) 
- 11 - 
2. 
 [check one only] 
____  I do not request coordination of litigation in any of the cases listed above. 
____ I do request coordination of the following cases: _____________________________________
 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
3. 
[check all that apply] 
____ Assignment to one judge   
____ Coordination of existing cases  
 
will conserve judicial resources and promote an efficient determination of these cases 
 
because:_______________________________________________________________________. 
 
4. 
The Petitioner acknowledges a continuing duty to inform the court of any cases in this or any 
other state that could affect the current proceeding. 
 
Dated: _________________ 
                             ________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
Petitioner’s Signature 
Printed Name: ______________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Address: ________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
City, State, Zip: ___________________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
Telephone Number: _______________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
Fax Number:  ____________________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
E-mail Address(es):________________________ 
 
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 
I CERTIFY that I delivered a copy of this Notice of Related Cases to the _____________________ County 
Sheriff’s Department or a certified process server for service on the Respondent, and [check all used]      
(     ) e-mailed (     ) mailed (    ) hand delivered, a copy to {name}________________________, who is the 
[check all that apply] (     ) judge assigned to new case, (     ) chief judge or family law administrative 
judge, (      ) {name}__________________________________  a party to the related case, (      ) {name} 
____________________________, a party to the related case on {date} _________________________. 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
____________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
Signature of Petitioner/Attorney for Petitioner 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
Printed Name:________________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
Address:____________________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
City, State, Zip:________________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
Telephone Number:____________________ 
 
 
 
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(h), Notice of Related Cases (11/13) 
- 12 - 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
Fax Number:__________________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
E-mail Address(es):______________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
Florida Bar Number:_____________________ 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
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}: (     ) Petitioner (     ) Respondent. 
This form was completed with the assistance of: 
{name of individual} ______________________________________________________________, 
{name 
of 
business}_______________________________________________________________, 
{address}______________________________________________________________________, 
{city} _______________________{state} __________, {telephone number} ___________________. 
 
 
Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.928, Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases  
(11/13) 
- 13 - 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE 
FORM 12.928, COVER SHEET FOR FAMILY COURT CASES (11/13) 
 
When should this form be used? 
 
The Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases and the information contained in it neither replace nor 
supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other documents as required by law. This form 
shall be filed by the petitioner/party opening or reopening a case for the use of the clerk of the 
circuit court for the purpose of reporting judicial workload data pursuant to Florida Statutes 
section 25.075.  
 
This form should be typed or printed in black ink. The petitioner must file this cover sheet with 
the first pleading or motion filed to open or reopen a case in all domestic and juvenile cases.  
 
What should I do next? 
 
Follow these instructions for completing the form: 
 
I. 
Case Style. Enter the name of the court, the appropriate case number assigned at the 
time of filing of the original petition, the name of the judge assigned (if applicable), and the 
name (last, first, middle initial) of the petitioner(s) and respondent(s).  
 
II. 
Type of Action /Proceeding. Place a check beside the proceeding you are initiating. If 
you are simultaneously filing more than one type of proceeding against the same opposing 
party, such as a modification and an enforcement proceeding, complete a separate cover 
sheet for each action being filed.  
 
(A) Initial Action/Petition  
(B) Reopening Case. If you check “Reopening Case,” indicate whether you are filing a 
modification or supplemental petition or an action for enforcement by placing a check 
beside the appropriate action/petition.  
1. Modification/Supplemental Petition  
2. Motion for Civil Contempt/ Enforcement 
3. Other – All reopening actions not involving modification/supplemental petitions or 
petition enforcement.  
 
III. 
Type of Case. Place a check beside the appropriate case. If the case fits more than one 
category, select the most definitive. Definitions of the categories are provided below.  
(A) Simplified Dissolution of Marriage‐ petitions for the termination of marriage pursuant to 
Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.105.  
(B) Dissolution of Marriage ‐ petitions for the termination of marriage pursuant to Chapter 
61, Florida Statutes, other than simplified dissolution.  
(C) Domestic Violence ‐ all matters relating to injunctions for protection against domestic 
 
 
Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.928, Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases  
(11/13) 
- 14 - 
violence pursuant to section 741.30, Florida Statutes.  
(D) Dating Violence ‐ all matters relating to injunctions for protection against dating 
violence pursuant to section 784.046, Florida Statutes.  
(E) Repeat Violence ‐ all matters relating to injunctions for protection against repeat 
violence pursuant to section 784.046, Florida Statutes. 
(F) Sexual Violence ‐ all matters relating to injunctions for protection against sexual 
violence pursuant to section 784.046, Florida Statutes. 
(G) Stalking-all matters relating to injunctions for protection against stalking pursuant to 
section 784.0485, Florida Statutes 
(H) Support ‐ IV‐D ‐ all matters relating to child or spousal support in which an application 
for assistance has been filed with the Department of Revenue, Child Support 
Enforcement under Title IV‐D, Social Security Act, except for such matters relating to 
dissolution of marriage petitions (sections 409.2564, 409.2571, and 409.2597, Florida 
Statutes), paternity, or UIFSA.  
(I) Support‐Non IV‐D ‐ all matters relating to child or spousal support in which an 
application for assistance has not been filed under Title IV‐D, Social Security Act.  
(J) UIFSA‐ IV‐D ‐ all matters relating to Chapter 88, Florida Statutes, in which an application 
for assistance has been filed under Title IV‐D, Social Security Act.  
(K) UIFSA ‐ Non IV‐D ‐ all matters relating to Chapter 88, Florida Statutes, in which an 
application for assistance has not been filed under Title IV‐D, Social Security Act.  
(L) Other  Family Court ‐ all matters involving time-sharing and/or parenting plans relating 
to minor child(ren), support unconnected with dissolution of marriage, annulment, 
delayed birth certificates pursuant to Florida Statutes section 382.0195, expedited 
affirmation of parental status pursuant to Florida Statutes section 742.16, termination 
of parental rights proceedings pursuant to Florida Statutes section 63.087, declaratory 
judgment actions related to premarital, marital, post-marital agreements, or other 
matters not included in the categories above. 
(M) Adoption Arising Out Of Chapter 63 ‐ all matters relating to adoption pursuant to 
Chapter 63, Florida Statutes, excluding any matters arising out of Chapter 39, Florida 
Statutes.  
(N)  Name Change ‐ all matters relating to name change, pursuant to section 68.07, Florida 
Statutes. 
(O) Paternity/Disestablishment of Paternity – all matters relating to paternity pursuant to 
Chapter 742, Florida Statutes. 
(P) Juvenile Delinquency ‐ all matters relating to juvenile delinquency pursuant to Chapter 
985, Florida Statutes.  
(Q) Petition for Dependency ‐ all matters relating to petitions for dependency.  
(R) Shelter Petition – all matters relating to shelter petitions pursuant to Chapter 39, Florida 
Statutes. 
(S) Termination of Parental Rights Arising Out Of Chapter 39 – all matters relating to 
termination of parental rights pursuant to Chapter 39, Florida Statutes. 
(T) Adoption Arising Out Of Chapter 39 – all matters relating to adoption pursuant to 
Chapter 39, Florida Statutes. 
(U) CINS/FINS – all matters relating to children in need of services (and families in need of 
services) pursuant to Chapter 984, Florida Statutes. 
 
 
 
Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.928, Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases  
(11/13) 
- 15 - 
ATTORNEY OR PARTY SIGNATURE. Sign the Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases. Print legibly the 
name of the person signing the Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases. Attorneys must include a 
Florida Bar number. Insert the date the Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases is signed. Signature is 
a certification that filer has provided accurate information on the Cover Sheet for Family Court 
Cases.  
 
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 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.  
 
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. For further information, see Rule 12.100, Florida Family 
Law Rules of Procedure.  
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.928, Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases  
(11/13) 
 
- 16 - 
 
 
 
 
COVER SHEET FOR FAMILY COURT CASES 
 
 
I. 
Case Style  
 
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE ______ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, 
IN AND FOR __________________ COUNTY, FLORIDA 
 
 
Case No.: ________________ 
 
Judge: __________________ 
_____________________________ 
 
Petitioner 
 
 
and  
 
_____________________________ 
 
Respondent 
 
II. 
Type of Action/Proceeding. Place a check beside the proceeding you are initiating. If you are 
simultaneously filing more than one type of proceeding against the same opposing party, such as a 
modification and an enforcement proceeding, complete a separate cover sheet for each action 
being filed. If you are reopening a case, choose one of the three options below it.  
 
(A) ____ Initial Action/Petition  
(B) ____ Reopening Case  
1. ____ Modification/Supplemental Petition  
2. ____ Motion for Civil Contempt/Enforcement 
3. ____ Other 
  
III. 
Type of Case. If the case fits more than one type of case, select the most definitive.  
 
(A) ____ Simplified Dissolution of Marriage  
(B) ____ Dissolution of Marriage  
(C) ____ Domestic Violence 
(D) ____ Dating Violence  
(E) ____ Repeat Violence  
(F) ____ Sexual Violence  
(G) ____ Stalking 
(H) ____ Support IV‐D (Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement) 
(I) ____ Support Non‐IV‐D (not Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement) 
(J) ____ UIFSA IV‐D (Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement) 
(K) ____ UIFSA Non‐IV‐D (not Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement) 
(L) ____ Other Family Court 
(M) ____ Adoption Arising Out Of Chapter 63  
 
 
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.928, Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases  
(11/13) 
 - 17 -  
(N) ____ Name Change 
(O) ____ Paternity/Disestablishment of Paternity 
(P) ____ Juvenile Delinquency  
(Q) ____ Petition for Dependency  
(R) ____ Shelter Petition 
(S) ____ Termination of Parental Rights Arising Out Of Chapter 39 
(T) ____ Adoption Arising Out Of Chapter 39 
(U) ____ CINS/FINS 
 
IV. 
Rule of Judicial Administration 2.545(d) requires that a Notice of Related Cases Form, Family 
Law Form 12.900(h), be filed with the initial pleading/petition by the filing attorney or self-
represented litigant in order to notify the court of related cases.  Is Form 12.900(h) being filed with 
this Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases and initial pleading/petition? 
____ No, to the best of my knowledge, no related cases exist. 
____ Yes, all related cases are listed on Family Law Form 12.900(h).  
 
ATTORNEY OR PARTY SIGNATURE  
 
I CERTIFY that the information I have provided in this cover sheet is accurate to the best of my 
knowledge and belief.  
 
 
Signature________________________________________ FL Bar No.: _____________________  
 
Attorney or party  
(Bar number, if attorney)  
 
 
________________________________________ 
__________________________ 
 
(Type or print name)                                                                          (E-mail Address(es)) 
 
            ____________________________ 
 
 
  Date 
 
 
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}  (      ) Petitioner  (      ) Respondent 
This form was completed with the assistance of: 
 {name of individual}____________________________________________________________, 
{name of business} ______________________________________________________________, 
 {address}______________________________________________________________________,  
{city}_________________________, {state}______ , {telephone number }__________________.