INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.942(a) MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM (11/15) When should this form be used? This form may be used by either party in a family law case involving parenting, time­sharing, or paternity of a minor child(ren) to request that the judge appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of the minor child(ren). You should use this form if you feel that your child(ren) needs someone other than you to ensure that both the judicial system and the other party(ies) act(s) in the best interests of the child(ren). A guardian ad litem may be a volunteer who has been trained and certified by the State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program or an attorney who is a member in good standing with The Florida Bar. This form should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, you should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where your case is 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. What should I do next? A copy of this form must be mailed, e-mailed, or hand delivered to the other party in your case. It is possible that there will be a hearing on your motion. The judge may want to hear the reasons you feel an appointment of a guardian ad litem is necessary, or, the other party may object to your motion. If a hearing is required, check with the clerk of court, family law court staff, or judicial assistant for information on the local procedure for scheduling a hearing. When you know the date and time of your hearing, you should file Notice of Hearing (General), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form, and provide a copy to the other party. 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 Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.942(a), Motion for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem (11/15) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com 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. 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. You may also want to contact the Guardian ad Litem Program office in your area or see sections 61.401-405, Florida Statutes. Special notes Order. These family law forms contain an Order Appointing a Guardian ad Litem, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.942(b), which the judge may use. You should check with the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to see if you need to bring a blank order form 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. 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. Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.942(a), Motion for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem (11/15) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE _______________________ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ________________________ COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: ___________________________ __ Division: __________________________________________________________________________________ _____ ___________________________________, Petitioner, and ____________________________________, Respondent, MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM _____ Petitioner _____ Respondent requests that the Court enter an order appointing a guardian ad litem with all powers, privileges, and responsibilities authorized in section 61.403, Florida Statutes, and states: 1. The following minor child(ren) is (are) subject to this proceeding: Name Birth date Age Sex Location/Address __________________________________