Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(a), Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (02/18) INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.903(a) ANSWER, WAIVER, AND REQUEST FOR COPY OF FINAL JUDGMENT OF DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (02/18) When should this form be used? This form should be used when you have been served with a petition for dissolution of marriage and you do not wish to contest it or appear at a hearing. If you file this form, you are admitting all of the allegations in the petition, saying that you do not need to be notified of or appear at the final hearing, and that you would like a copy of the final judgment mailed to you. This form should be typed or printed in black ink, and your signature should be witnessed by a notary public or deputy clerk. After completing this form, you should sign the form before a notary public. You should 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. The person filing the petition in a dissolution of marriage proceeding is also referred to as the petitioner and his or her spouse as the respondent. 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? You have 20 days to answer after being served with petition. A copy of this form, along with all of the other forms required with this answer and waiver, must be mailed, e-mailed, or hand delivered to your spouse. 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 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(a), Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (02/18) 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 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. The words that are in bold underline in these instructions are defined there. For further information, see chapter 61, Florida Statutes. Special notes... With this form, you may also file the following: Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), if the case involves a dependent or minor child(ren). Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), if the case involves a dependent or minor child(ren). (If you do not know your income, you may file this worksheet after financial affidavit has been served on you). Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1), or Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with No Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(2), if you have reached an agreement on any or all of the issues. Notice of Social Security Number, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(a), Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (02/18) 12.902(j). Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c). (This must be filed within 45 days of service of the petition on you, if not filed at the time you file this answer.) Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.932. (This must be filed within 45 days of service of the petition on you, if not filed at the time you file this answer, unless you and the other party have agreed not to exchange these documents.) Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing. By filing this answer and waiver, you are agreeing to any parenting plan and time-sharing requests in the petition. The judge may request a parenting plan recommendation or appoint a guardian ad litem in your case. This means that a neutral person will review your situation and report to the judge concerning parenting issues. The purpose of such intervention is to be sure that the best interests of the child(ren) is (are) being served. For more information, you may consult section 61.13, Florida Statutes. A parenting course must be completed prior to entry of a final judgment. You should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant about requirements for parenting courses where you live. Listed below are some terms with which you should become familiar before completing your answer to the petition. If you do not fully understand any of the terms below or their implications, you should speak with an attorney before going any further. Shared Parental Responsibility Sole Parental Responsibility Supervised Time-Sharing No contact Parenting Plan Parenting Plan Recommendation Time-Sharing Schedule Child Support. By filing this answer and waiver, you are agreeing to any requests for child support in the petition. Both parents are required to provide financial support for their minor or dependent child(ren); however, the court may order one parent to pay child support to the other parent. Florida has adopted guidelines for determining the amount of child support to be paid. These guidelines are based on the combined income of both parents and take into account the financial contributions of both parents and the number of overnights the child(ren) spend with each parent. You must file a Family Law Financial Affidavit, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c), and your spouse will be required to do the same. From your financial affidavits, you should be able to calculate the amount of child support that should be paid using the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e). Because the child