INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.944(a), MOTION FOR TESTIMONY AND ATTENDANCE OF MINOR CHILD(REN) (11/15) When should this form be used? Rule 12.407, Florida Family Law Rules, provides that minor children may not be deposed (have their deposition taken), brought to court to appear as a witness or to attend a hearing, or subpoenaed to appear at a hearing without prior order of the court. This rule applies in all cases except when there is an emergency or the case is an uncontested adoption. You should use this form to request that the court enter an order authorizing a minor child(ren) to appear at a court proceeding. 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 any other party(ies) in your case, including the guardian ad litem, if one has been appointed. It is possible that there will be a hearing on your motion. The judge may want to hear the reasons you feel this motion should be granted, or the other party may object to your motion. If a hearing is required, check with the clerk of court, judicial assistant, or family law intake staff 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 any other party. 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 12.407, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure. 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 Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.944(a), Motion for Testimony and Attendance of Minor Child(ren) (11/15) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com 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. 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 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 12.944(a), Motion for Testimony and Attendance of Minor Child(ren) (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 TESTIMONY AND ATTENDANCE OF MINOR CHILD(REN) Petitioner Respondent requests that the Court enter an order authorizing one or more of the actions listed below related to the following minor child(ren): Name Birth date Age [Indicate all that apply] 1. _____ Minor child(ren), {name(s)} __________________________________________________, be subpoenaed to appear at hearing now scheduled for {date} ___________________________. 2. _____ Minor child(ren), {name(s)} __________________________________________________, attend deposition of {name(s)} now scheduled for{date} ________________________________, at {location} ____________________________________________________________________. 3. _____ Minor child(ren)'s, {name(s)} _________________________________________________, deposition be taken on {date} ______________________________________________________ at {location} ____________________________________________________________________. 4. _____ Minor child(ren), {name(s)} __________________________________