Fill and Sign the Counterpetition Form

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.983(d), ANSWER TO COUNTERPETITION (11/15) When should this form be used? This form may be used by a petitioner to respond to the respondent’s counterpetition in a paternity case. You may use this form to admit or deny the allegations contained in the respondent’s 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 then 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. 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. Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.983(d), Answer to Counterpetition (11/15) What should I do next? A copy of this form must be mailed, e-mailed, or hand-delivered to the other party in your case. If the respondent has denied that the person named in the petition is the father of the child(ren) and requested a scientific paternity test , you must now wait until the test is complete. You should then proceed according to the instructions in Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.983(a). 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 742, Florida Statutes. 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 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 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 12.983(d), Answer to Counterpetition (11/15) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE _______________________ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ________________________ COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: _____________________________ Division:_______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________ _ __________, Petitioner/Counterrespondent, and _______________________ _ __________, Respondent/Counterpetitioner. ANSWER TO COUNTERPETITION I, {full legal name} _____________________________________________________________________ , Petitioner/Counterrespondent, being sworn, certify that the following information is true: l. I agree with Petitioner as to the allegations raised in the following numbered paragraphs in the Petition and, therefore, admit those allegations: {indicate section and paragraph number} ______________________________________________________________________ ____ . 2. I disagree with Petitioner as to the allegations raised in the following numbered paragraphs in the Petition and, therefore, deny those issues: {indicate section and paragraph number} ______________________________________________________________________ ____ . 3. I currently am 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 or his/her attorney: Name: _____________________________________ Address: ___________________________________ City, State, Zip: ______________________________ Fax Number: _______________________________ Designated E-mail Address(es): ________________ ___________________________________________ Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.983(d), Answer to Counterpetition (11/15) I understand that I am swearing or affirming 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 Party Printed Name: ___________________________ Address: _______________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________ Telephone Number: ______________________ Fax Number: ____________________________ Designated E-mail Address(es): _____________ ___________________________________ ____ STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF _________________ Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on __________ by __________________________________ . _________________________________________ ____ NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK _________________________________________ ____ {Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of notary or clerk.} _____ Personally known _____ Produced identification Type of identification produced _________________________ Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.983(d), Answer to Counterpetition (11/15) IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [fill in all blanks] This form was prepared for the: {choose only one} ( ) Petitioner ( ) 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 12.983(d), Answer to Counterpetition (11/15)