Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12928

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

COVER SHEET FOR FAMILY COURT CASES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA

Petitioner

Case No.:

Judge:

and

Respondent

I. Type of Action/Proceeding. Place a check beside the proceeding you are initiating. If you are simultaneously filing more than one type of proceeding against the same opposing party, such as a modification and an enforcement proceeding, complete a separate cover sheet for each action being filed. If you are reopening a case, choose one of the three options below it.

(A) Initial Action/Petition

(B) Reopening Case

1. Modification/Supplemental Petition

2. Motion for Civil Contempt/Enforcement

3. Other

II. Type of Case. If the case fits more than one type of case, select the most definitive.

(A) Simplified Dissolution of Marriage

(B) Dissolution of Marriage

(C) Domestic Violence

(D) Dating Violence

(E) Repeat Violence

(F) Sexual Violence

(G) Support IV-D (Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement)

(H) Support Non-IV-D (not Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement)

(I) UIFSA IV-D (Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement)

(J) UIFSA Non-IV-D (not Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement)

(K) Other Family Court

(L) Adoption Arising Out Of Chapter 63

(M) Name Change

(N) Paternity/Disestablishment of Paternity

(O) Juvenile Delinquency

(P) Petition for Dependency

(Q) Shelter Petition

(R) Termination of Parental Rights Arising Out Of Chapter 39

(S) Adoption Arising Out Of Chapter 39

(T) CINS/FINS

III. Rule of Judicial Administration 2.545(d) requires that a Notice of Related Cases Form, Family Law Form 12.900(h), be filed with the initial pleading/petition by the filing attorney or self-represented litigant in order to notify the court of related cases. Is Form 12.900(h) being filed with this Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases and initial pleading/petition?

No, to the best of my knowledge, no related cases exist.

Yes, all related cases are listed on Family Law Form 12.900(h).

ATTORNEY OR PARTY SIGNATURE

I CERTIFY that the information I have provided in this cover sheet is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature

FL Bar No.: (Bar number, if attorney)

(Type or print name)

Date

IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [fill in all blanks]

I, a nonlawyer, whose address is

helped who is the [ petitioner or respondent, fill out this form.

Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.928, Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases (01/10)

Enter text

What Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12928 Is and when it applies

Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12928 is a state court form used in Florida family law matters to record specific case-related information required by the circuit court. It serves as a formal filing used by parties or their counsel when submitting standardized procedural information to the court, enabling consistent case management and recordkeeping. The form is governed by the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure and local court practices; parties should confirm the exact use with the clerk or local rules before filing. This guide explains typical fields, completion steps, and eSignature considerations.

Why accurate completion of Form 12928 matters

Correctly completing Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12928 reduces processing delays, helps the clerk and judge understand the case posture, and supports accurate docketing for hearings and service.

Why accurate completion of Form 12928 matters

Who typically completes and files this family law form

Family law attorneys, self-represented litigants, and court clerks commonly complete Form 12928 depending on the proceeding and local practice.

  • Family law attorneys preparing filings and ensuring compliance with local rules and case management orders.
  • Self-represented litigants who must provide accurate procedural information to the court without counsel.
  • Court clerks and judicial staff who review submissions for completeness and docketing.

Step-by-step: completing and filing Form 12928

Follow this sequence to prepare the form, confirm attachments, and file with the clerk either in person, by mail, or via the court's e-filing portal.

  • 01
    Gather case details: Confirm case number, party names, and judge assignment before starting.
  • 02
    Complete every required field: Use MM/DD/YYYY dates and avoid abbreviations for names or counties.
  • 03
    Attach supporting documents: Include required exhibits, cover sheets, or service forms as indicated.
  • 04
    File with the clerk: Submit via e-file or deliver to the clerk per local rules and obtain a stamped copy.

How submissions move through the Florida family court system

Understanding the typical routing helps you predict processing steps and where to check for status updates.

  • Initial submission: Filer submits completed Form 12928 to the clerk by e-file or physical delivery.
  • Clerk review: Clerk checks for completeness, assigns docket entry, and returns deficiencies if any.
  • Judicial processing: Document is routed to the assigned judge or hearing calendar as appropriate.
  • Service and notices: Parties receive copies, and hearings are scheduled if required.

Recommended e-filing and eSignature workflow settings

If you use an electronic signing platform, configure these settings to align with Florida court expectations and evidentiary needs.

Field Configuration
Authentication level Email + SMS code or account login for signer verification.
Signature type Use a visible signature with an audit trail for court filings.
Retention policy Retain execution records for the required statutory period.
Notification routing Send completed copies to all parties and counsel automatically.

Technical considerations for digital completion and eSubmission

Confirm platform capabilities before e-signing or e-filing to preserve admissibility and chain-of-custody evidence.

  • Document formats: PDF or PDF/A preferred for court filings.
  • Audit trails: Capture IP, timestamp, and signer actions.
  • Authentication: Support email, SMS, or stronger MFA as needed.

Keep native signed copies and audit records; courts may request originals or certified copies depending on local practice.

Security and compliance considerations for electronic records

In-transit encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 transport encryption
At-rest encryption: AES-256 storage encryption
Regulatory compliance: ESIGN and UETA adherence
HIPAA support: BAA available when required
Audit capability: Comprehensive signing audit trail
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Key risks and consequences of incorrect or incomplete filings

Court rejection: Missing or incorrect data
Hearing delays: Scheduling or continuance required
Sanctions risk: Possible monetary or procedural sanctions
Service issues: Incomplete service can void filings
Evidence challenges: Inadequate signature proof
Confidentiality breach: Improper document handling

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing Form 12928

  • Omitting the court-assigned case number or using an incorrect number causes clerks to misfile or return the submission.
  • Entering inconsistent party names between Form 12928 and attachments can trigger identity verification requests or require re-filing.
  • Failing to include required exhibits, cover sheets, or proof of service commonly leads to docketing delays and additional court orders.
  • Using inconsistent date formats or failing to date signatures can create disputes over the effective filing or execution date.

Key components present on a professionally prepared Form 12928

A complete Form 12928 typically includes identification, filing specifics, signature blocks, and any attachments required by local practice.

Caption

Court name, division, case number, and judge designation for correct filing.

Party identification

Full legal names and roles (petitioner/respondent) to avoid ambiguity.

Filing description

Clear description of the document type and relief or action requested.

Attachment list

Enumerated exhibits and supporting filings referenced on the form.

Signature block

Signer name, capacity, signature, and date for authentication.

Service information

Proof of service or certificate of service details as required.

Practical tips for accurate, efficient completion

Follow these practices to reduce rejections and streamline court processing when submitting Form 12928.

Use the court caption
Copy the case caption exactly from court files and notices to ensure matching records.
Standardize date entries
Use MM/DD/YYYY consistently; courts rely on clear dates for deadlines and service verification.
Keep attachments organized
Label exhibits clearly and reference them on Form 12928 to avoid clerk confusion.
Maintain an execution record
Preserve signed originals or certified copies and any eSignature audit logs for the record.

Typical eSignature vendor pricing and feature snapshot for court document workflows

Cost and core capability comparisons can help choose a platform that supports secure signing, audit trails, and necessary compliance for legal filings.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes (premium tier) Yes Yes Yes Varies by plan
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about completing and submitting Form 12928

Answers to common questions about form completion, electronic signatures, filing preferences, and what to expect from the clerk.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users