Fill and Sign the Answer Counterpetition Form

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.903(d) ANSWER TO COUNTERPETITION (02/18) When should this form be used? This form should be used by a petitioner to respond to the respondent ’s counterpetition . You should use this form to admit or deny the allegations contained in the counterpetition. 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 the case is fled 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 fled 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 fle 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 fle. 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 the other party’s counterpetition. A copy of this form must be mailed, e-mailed, or hand delivered to the other party. To proceed with your case, you should refer to the instructions to your petition regarding setting a case for trial under UNCONTESTED and CONTESTED . 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 defned there. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-SERVICE ELECTION Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(d), Answer to Counterpetition (02/18) After the initial service of process of the petition or supplemental petition by the Sherif or certifed 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 fnd 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 fll 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 fll 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 12.903(d), Answer to Counterpetition (02/18) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: Division: In re: The Marriage of: _________________________________ , Petitioner/Counter-Respondent, and _________________________________, Respondent/Counter-Petitioner. ANSWER TO COUNTERPETITION I, {full legal name} , Petitioner/Counter- Respondent, being sworn, certify that the following information is true: 1. I agree with Respondent as to the allegations raised in the following numbered paragraphs in the Counterpetition and, therefore, admit those allegations: {indicate section and paragraph number} . 2. I disagree with Respondent as to the allegations raised in the following numbered paragraphs in the Counterpetition and, therefore, deny those allegations: {indicate section and paragraph number} . 3. I am currently unable to admit or deny the following paragraphs due to lack of information: {indicate section and paragraph number} _____________________ . I certify that a copy of this document was _____ mailed _____ faxed and mailed _____ e-mailed _____hand-delivered to the person(s) listed below on {date} ____________________________ . Respondent/Counter-Petitioner or his/her attorney: Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Fax Number: Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(d), Answer to Counterpetition (02/18) Designated E-mail Address(es):______________________ _______________________________________________ I understand that I am swearing or afrming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims made in this answer and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or imprisonment. Dated:_______________ _____________________________________________ Signature of Petitioner/Counter- Respondent Printed Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone Number: Fax Number: Designated E-mail Address(es): ___________________ _____________________________________________ STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF _______ Sworn to or afrmed and signed before me on by . NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK [Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of notary or clerk.] _ Personally known _ Produced identifcation Type of identifcation produced IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [fll in all blanks] This form was prepared for the Petitioner/Counter-Respondent This form was completed with the assistance of: {name of individual} __________________________________________________________________, {name of business} ___________________________________________________________________, {address} __________ _______________________________________, {city} ____________ , {state} ___ , {zip code}_____________, {telephone number}________________. Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(d), Answer to Counterpetition (02/18)