INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED
FAMILY LAW FORM 12.904(a)(1),
PETITION FOR SUPPORT UNCONNECTED WITH DISSOLUTION OF
MARRIAGE WITH DEPENDENT OR MINOR CHILD(REN)
(02/18)
When should this form be used?
This form may be used to ask the court to enter a support order if your
spouse has the ability to contribute to you and your minor child(ren), but has
failed to do so. You can only use this form if a dissolution of marriage has
not been fled and based upon the time-sharing schedule, you are entitled to
support. If a petition for dissolution of marriage has been fled, you should fle
a Motion for Temporary Support and Time-Sharing with Dependent
or Minor Child(ren) , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form
12.947(a), instead of using this petition . Also, if you are requesting that an
order be entered for you to pay support to your spouse, you should not fle
this form.
This petition cannot address the issues of property, debts, or parental
responsibility and time-sharing with child(ren). It only deals with alimony
and child support .
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. Because you are fling this
petition, you are also referred to as the petitioner and your spouse as the
respondent.
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?
For your case to proceed, you must properly notify your spouse of the
petition. Because this petition concerns child support and alimony, you
should use personal service . If your spouse is in the military service of the
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.904(a)(1),
Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or
Minor Child(ren) (02/18)
United States, additional steps for service may be required. See
Memorandum for Certificate of Military Service , Florida Supreme Court
Approved Family Law Form 12.912(a) and Affidavit of Military Service ,
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.912(b). Service on a
spouse who is in the military can be complicated; therefore, you may wish to
consult an attorney regarding this issue.
Your spouse has 20 days to answer after being served with your petition.
Your case will then generally proceed in one of the following three ways:
DEFAULT . If after 20 days, no answer has been fled, you may fle a Motion
for Default , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.922(a),
with the clerk of court. Then, if you have fled all of the required papers, you
may contact the clerk, family law intake staf , or judicial assistant to set
a final hearing . You must notify your spouse of the hearing by using a
Notice of Hearing (General) , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law
Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form.
UNCONTESTED . If your spouse fles an answer that agrees with everything
in your petition or an answer and waiver, and you have complied with
mandatory disclosure and fled all of the required papers, you may contact
the clerk, family law intake staf, or judicial assistant to set a fnal hearing.
You must notify your spouse of the hearing by using a Notice of Hearing
(General) , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or
other appropriate notice of hearing form.
CONTESTED . If your spouse fles an answer or an answer and
counterpetition , which disagrees with or denies anything in your petition,
and you are unable to settle the disputed issues, you should fle a Notice for
Trial , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.924, after you
have complied with mandatory disclosure and fled all of the required papers.
Some circuits may require the completion of mediation before a fnal
hearing may be set. Then you should contact the clerk, family law intake
staf, or judicial assistant for instructions on how to set your case for trial
(fnal hearing). If your spouse fles an answer and counterpetition, you should
answer the counterpetition within 20 days using an Answer to
Counterpetition , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form
12.903(d).
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. For
further information, see section 61.09, Florida Statutes.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-SERVICE ELECTION
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.904(a)(1),
Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or
Minor Child(ren) (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...
If you do not have the money to pay the fling fee, you may obtain an
Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status from the clerk, fll it out,
and the clerk will determine whether you are eligible to have fling fees
deferred.
With this form you must also fle the following:
Notice of Social Security Number , Florida Supreme Court Approved
Family Law Form 12.902(j).
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
Affidavit , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), if the
case involves minor or dependent child(ren).
Family Law Financial Affidavit , Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure
Form 12.902(b) or (c).
Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure , Florida Family
Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.932. (This must be fled within 45 days of
service of the petition on the respondent, if not fled at the time of the
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.904(a)(1),
Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or
Minor Child(ren) (02/18)
petition, unless you and the other party have agreed not to exchange these
documents.)
Child Support Guidelines Worksheet , Florida Family Law Rules of
Procedure Form 12.902(e), if you are asking that child support be ordered in
the fnal judgment. (If you do not know your spousess income, you may fle
this worksheet after your spousess fnancial afdavit has been served on
you.)
Alimony. Alimony may be awarded to a spouse if the judge fnds that one
spouse has an actual need for it and that the other spouse has the ability to
pay. If you want alimony, you must request it in writing in the
original petition. If you do not request alimony in writing before the
final hearing, it is waived (you may not request it later). You may
request permanent alimony, bridge-the-gap alimony, durational
alimony, lump sum alimony, and/or rehabilitative alimony.
Child Support. Both parents are required to provide financial support
for their minor or dependent children; 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 fnancial contributions of both parents and the number of
overnights the child(ren) spend with each parent. You must fle 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
fnancial afdavits, 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 support guidelines take several factors into consideration, change
over time, and vary from state to state, your child support obligation may be
more or less than that of other people in seemingly similar situations.
Temporary Relief. If you need temporary relief regarding child support or
temporary alimony, you may fle a Motion for Temporary Support and
Time-Sharing with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) , Florida Supreme
Court Approved Family Law Form 12.947(a). For more information, see the
instructions for that form.
Final Judgment Forms. These family law forms contain a Final Judgment
of Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with
Dependent or Minor Child(ren) , Florida Supreme Court Approved Family
Law Form 12.994(a), which the judge may use if your case is contested. You
should check with the clerk, family law intake staf, or judicial assistant to see
if you need to bring a fnal judgment with you to the hearing. If so, you
should type or print the heading, including the circuit, county, case number,
division, and the partiess names, and leave the rest blank for the judge to
complete at your hearing or trial.
Nonlawyer. Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a
nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fll out these forms, that person must
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.904(a)(1),
Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or
Minor Child(ren) (02/18)
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 12.904(a)(1),
Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or
Minor Child(ren) (02/18)
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE _____________________ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,
IN AND FOR ______________________________ COUNTY, FLORIDA
In re: the Marriage of: Case No:
________________________
Division:
________________________
_________________________________,
Petitioner,
and
_________________________________,
Respondent.
PETITION FOR SUPPORT UNCONNECTED WITH DISSOLUTION
OF MARRIAGE WITH DEPENDENT OR MINOR
CHILD(REN)
I, {full legal name} ________________________________________ , the Petitioner,
being sworn,
certify that the following statements are true:
1. JURISDICTION
_____ Petitioner ______ Respondent ____ Both live in Florida at the fling of this
Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage, which is fled
pursuant to section 61.09, Florida Statutes.
2. Petitioner _____ is or _____ is not a member of the military service.
Respondent _____ is or _____ is not a member of the military service.
3. MARRIAGE HISTORY
Date of marriage: {month, day, year} ______________________
Date of separation: {month, day, year} ________________ (____Indicate if
approximate).
Place of marriage: {county, state, country}
______________________________________.
4. MINOR CHILD(REN)
[Indicate all that apply]
a. ____Petitioner is pregnant. The baby is due on: {date} ______________
_____
b. ____ Respondent is pregnant. The baby is due on:
{date}______________________________
c. ____The minor (under 18) child(ren) common to both parties, conceived or
born during the marriage, are:
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.904(a)(1), Petition for Support
Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)
Name Birth date
_____________
______________
______________
______________
______________________________________________________________________________
d. _____The child(ren) common to both parties who are 18 or older but who
are dependent upon the parties due to a mental or physical incapacity are:
Name Birth date
____________
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
5. A completed Notice of Social Security Number, Florida Supreme Court
Approved Family Law Form 12.902(j), is fled with this petition.
6. A completed Family Law Financial Afdavit, Florida Family Law Rules of
Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c) _____ is fled with this petition or _____ will be
timely fled.
7. A completed Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules
of Procedure Form 12.902(e), _____ is fled with this petition, or _____ will be
timely fled.
8. A completed Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
(UCCJEA) Afdavit, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form
12.902(d), is fled with this petition.
SECTION I. SPOUSAL SUPPORT (ALIMONY)
1. _____ Petitioner does not request spousal support (alimony) from the
other spouse at this time .
OR
2. _____Respondent has the ability to contribute to the support of the other
spouse and has failed to do so. Petitioner requests that the Court order the
other spouse to pay the following spousal support (alimony) and claims that
he or she has a need for the support that he or she is requesting. Spousal
support (alimony) is requested in the amount of $____________ every _____
week _____ other week _____ month, beginning {date} __________________, and
continuing until {date or event}
____________________________________________________.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.904(a)(1), Petition for Support
Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)
Explain why the Court should order Respondent to pay and any specifc
request(s) for type of alimony (temporary, permanent, rehabilitative, bridge-
the-gap, durational, and/or lump sum):
_____________________________________________________________________________
.
3. _____Other provisions relating to alimony including any tax treatment and
consequences:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________.
4. Petitioner requests life insurance on the other spousess life, provided by that
spouse, to secure such support.
SECTION II. CHILD SUPPORT
1. Respondent has the ability to contribute to the support of his or her minor
child(ren) and has failed to do so.
[Indicate all that apply]
2.______ Petitioner requests that the Court award child support as determined by
Floridass child support guidelines, section 61.30, Florida Statutes.
3. _____Petitioner requests that the Court award child support to be paid beyond
the age of 18 years by Respondent because:
a._____ the following child(ren), {name(s)} ,
is (are) dependent because of a mental or physical incapacity which
began prior to the age of 18 {explain}:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________;
b._____ the following child(ren), {name(s)} ,
is (are) dependent in fact, is (are) in high school and is (are) between
the ages of 18 and 19; said child(ren) is (are) performing in good faith
with a reasonable expectation of graduation before the age of 19.
4._____ Petitioner requests that medical/dental insurance for the minor child(ren)
be provided by: [ Choose only one ]
a. ____ Petitioner
b. ____ Respondent
5._____ Petitioner requests that uninsured medical/dental expenses for the
child(ren) be paid: [ Choose only one ]
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.904(a)(1), Petition for Support
Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)
a. ____ by Petitioner
b. ____ by Respondent
c. ____ equally (each spouse pays one-half)
d. __ according to the percentages in the Child Support Guidelines
Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e).
e. _ Other {explain} : ___________________________________________________.
6. _____Petitioner requests that life insurance to secure child support be
provided by Respondent.
SECTION III. OTHER RELIEF
.
SECTION IV. REQUEST
(This section summarizes what you are asking the Court to include in the order for
support.)
Petitioner requests that the Court enter an order establishing support and :
[Indicate all that apply]
1.____ awarding spousal support (alimony) as requested in Section I of this
petition;
2.____ establishing child support for the minor child(ren) as requested in Section
II of this petition;
3.____ awarding other relief as requested in Section III of this petition; and any
other items the Court deems necessary.
I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the
truthfulness of the claims made in this petition and that the punishment
for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or
imprisonment.
Dated:
Signature of Petitioner
Printed Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Telephone Number:
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.904(a)(1), Petition for Support
Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)
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 deputy 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
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 12.904(a)(1), Petition for Support
Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)