Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.970(b), Petition for Concurrent Custody By Extended Family (02/18) INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.970(b) PETITION FOR CONCURRENT CUSTODY BY EXTENDED FAMILY (02/18) When should this form be used? This form should be used by an extended family member to obtain concurrent custody of a child or children pursuant to Chapter 751, Florida Statutes. This form should not be used if you are a parent seeking to establish parental responsibility or time-sharing with a child or children. means that an eligible extended family member is awarded custodial rights to care for a child or children An Extended Family Member is: A relative of a minor child within the third degree by blood or marriage to the parent; OR The stepparent of a minor child if the stepparent is currently married to the parent of the child and is not a party in a pending dissolution, separate maintenance, domestic violence, or other civil or criminal proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction involving one or both of the child(ren)adverse party. You may file a Petition for Concurrent Custody if: You have the signed, notarized consents of the child(ren) OR You are an extended family member who is caring full time for the child(ren) in the role of a substitute parent and with whom the child(ren) is (are) presently living. In addition, you must currently have physical custody of the child(ren) and have had physical custody of the child(ren) for at least 10 days in any 30-day period within the last 12 months; and not have signed, written documentation from a parent which is sufficient to enable you to do all the things necessary to care for the child(ren). If you do not meet the qualifications above, you should talk to an attorney about other options. You may also report any suspected abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the appropriate authorities. This form should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, you should sign the form before a notary public or deputy clerk. You should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you live and keep a copy for your records. American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.970(b), Petition for Concurrent Custody By Extended Family (02/18) 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. 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. What should I do next? IF YOU HAVE SIGNED AND NOTARIZED WAIVERS OF SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS from the parents , you may contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant, to set a final hearing. Notice of Hearing (General), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form. If one of the parents is deceased, you must file a certified copy of the proof of death. may not grant the petition even if the other parent consents, in writing, to the entry of the order. If a American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.970(b), Petition for Concurrent Custody By Extended Family (02/18) parent objects, you have the option of converting the Petition to a Petition for Temporary Custody by Extended Family, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.970(a). If the Petition is not converted into a Petition for Temporary Custody by Extended Family, it shall be dismissed without prejudice. At any time, the Petitioner or either or both of the child(renthe order granting concurrent custody. The court shall terminate the order upon a finding that either or s to the order. The fact that the order for concurrent custody has been terminated does not preclude any person who is otherwise eligible to petition for temporary custody from filing such petition. 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 751 and Chapter 39, Florida Statutes. Special Notes. . . If you do not have the money to pay the filing fee, you may obtain an application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status, fill it out, and the clerk will determine whether you are eligible to have filing fees deferred. With this petition, you must file the following and provide a copy to the other party: Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d). Notice of Related Cases, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(h). Family Court Cover Sheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.928. Non-Military Affidavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(b). (Required only for obtaining a default on petitions that have been personally or constructively served. Not required if both parents have signed a waiver and consent.) 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 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. American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.970(b), Petition for Concurrent Custody By Extended Family (02/18) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No: Division: IN THE INTEREST OF: , Child(ren) , Petitioner, and , Respondent/, , Respondent/ . PETITION FOR CONCURRENT CUSTODY BY EXTENDED FAMILY Pet