INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.981(c)(1) PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF ADULT BY STEPPARENT (11/15) When should this form be used? This form should be used when a stepparent is adopting his or her spouse's adult child. You must obtain the written consent of the adult child to be adopted, as well as the written consent of his or her spouse (if married). This form should be typed or printed in black ink. The name to be given to the adoptee after the adoption should be used in the heading of the petition. The stepparent is the petitioner, because he or she is the one who is asking the court for legal action. You must have your signature witnessed by a notary public or deputy clerk. After completing this form, you should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where either you or the adoptee live and keep a copy for your records. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-FILING The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that petitions, pleadings, and documents be filed electronically except in certain circumstances. Self-represented litigants may file a petition or other pleadings electronically; however, they are not required to do so. If you choose to file your petition, or other pleading or document 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? For your case to proceed, you must have the written consent of the adoptee, and his or her spouse if married. Consent of the birth parent is not required, but written notice of the final hearing on the adoption must be provided to the parents, if any, or proof of service of process must be filed showing notice has been served on the parents. If you know where they live, you must use personal service. If you absolutely do not know where they live, you may use constructive service. For more information about personal and constructive service, you should refer the General Instructions for Self-Represented Litigants found at the beginning of these forms and the instructions to Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Forms 12.910(a) and 12.913(b) and Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.913(a). However, the law regarding constructive service is very complex and you may wish to consult an attorney regarding that issue. When you have filed all of the required forms and met the requirements for consent as outlined above, you are ready to set a hearing on your petition. You should check with the clerk of court, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set a final hearing, and notify the other party(ies) using a Notice of Hearing (General), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form. Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(1), Petition for Adoption of Adult by Stepparent (11/15) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com 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. 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. See Chapter 63, Florida Statutes, and Florida Family Law Rule 12.200(a)(2) for further information. Special notes... With this petition you must file the following forms: Stepparent Adoption: Consent of Adoptee, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(a)(2) Stepparent Adoption: Consent of Adult Adoptee's Spouse, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(2), if the adoptee is married THIS ADOPTION MAY AFFECT THE ADOPTEE'S INHERITANCE. 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 Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900 (a), before he or she helps you. A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(1), Petition for Adoption of Adult by Stepparent (11/15) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com 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 12.981(c)(1), Petition for Adoption of Adult by Stepparent (11/15) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE __________________ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR __________________ COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: _______________________ Division: _______________________ IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF _______________