Is a notary required?

If the form or an attached affidavit requires notarization, sign in front of a commissioned notary. Florida often requires notarization and two witnesses for certain family law documents; verify the specific form instruction and local rule.

Can I e-sign the form?

Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, but confirm the court’s local e-filing and signature rules before using an e-signature for Form 12981.

What happens if fields are inconsistent?

Inconsistent names, dates, or case numbers can cause the clerk to return the filing. Review all filings for consistency to avoid delays and potential hearing continuance.

How should attachments be labeled?

Label attachments as Exhibit A, Exhibit B, etc., and reference them in the Statement of Facts. Organized exhibits make review by the court and opposing counsel more efficient.

Does the form require witnesses?

Some family law filings in Florida require two witnesses for certain signatures; check the specific section of the form and Florida statutory or local rule guidance before execution.

Where do I file the form?

File at the clerk’s office for the county handling the case, or file electronically if the court accepts e-filings. Confirm format, filing fees, and service requirements with the local clerk.

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Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981

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

PETITION FOR WAIVER OF PARENTAL CONSENT FOR AN ABORTION

Approved, SCAO

STATE OF MICHIGAN

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION

COUNTY

FILE NO.

In the matter of the petition of , a minor, for waiver of parental consent for an abortion

1. I am the minor. next friend of the minor.

2. The minor resides or is found in this county.

3. The minor is pregnant, wants an abortion, and desires to give her own consent to the abortion.

4. The minor requests an order waiving parental consent for the abortion because the minor's parent or legal guardian is not

available or refuses to give his or her consent, or the minor has elected not to seek consent of her parent or legal guardian.

5. As next friend, I certify that I am an adult and none of the following:

a. a physician who performs abortions.

b. a person who is employed by, or receives financial consideration from, a physician who performs abortions or an

organization that provides abortions or abortion counseling and referral services.

c. a person who serves as a board member or volunteer to an organization that provides abortions or abortion counseling

and referral services.

I declare that this petition has been examined by me and that its contents are true to the best of my information, knowledge, and belief.

Attorney signature

Name (type or print)

Address

City, state, zip Bar no.

Telephone no.

Date

Initials of minor/Signature of next friend

Name of next friend (type or print)

Address of next friend

City, state, zip Telephone no.

Do not write below this line - For court use only

PC 119 (9/10) PETITION FOR WAIVER OF PARENTAL CONSENT FOR AN ABORTION MCL 722.904, MCR 3.615

What the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981 Is

The Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981 is a state-prescribed family law form used in Florida courts to collect standardized information required in specified family law matters. It is a court-approved template intended to ensure consistent presentation of facts, parties, and relevant case data so clerks, judges, and opposing parties can quickly locate essential items. The form may be required by local rules or a judge’s orders when filing motions, declarations, or certain financial or procedural disclosures in family court proceedings.

Why this form matters in Florida family court

Using the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981 ensures you meet court formatting expectations, helps avoid procedural rejection for incorrect form use, and creates a clear record for judicial review and opposing counsel.

Who commonly completes Form 12981 and why

Attorneys, self-represented litigants, court clerks, and mediators complete Form 12981 when a judge or local rule requires the standardized submission of family law information.

Family law attorneys preparing pleadings and disclosures for hearings or trial use the form to meet local practice standards.
Self-represented litigants who must comply with court orders or mandatory disclosure rules complete the form to avoid procedural returns.
Court staff and mediators rely on the form for consistent intake, docketing, and presentation at custody or financial hearings.

Proper completion helps case processing and reduces the chance of clerical return or scheduling delay by the court.

Core sections and components of Form 12981

Form 12981 is arranged to capture party identification, case references, factual statements, and signature blocks so courts receive uniform, searchable submissions. Knowing each section helps you prepare supporting exhibits and attachments correctly.

Case Caption

Contains court name, case number, and party names. Accurate captioning ensures the form is associated with the correct court file and prevents misfiling.

Party Information

Lists full legal names, addresses, and contact details. Use names as they appear on other court filings to avoid inconsistencies that can create confusion in the docket.

Statement of Facts

A concise factual summary relevant to the filing. Keep statements factual, dated where appropriate, and reference exhibits or documents by label.

Relief Requested

States the relief or action the filer asks the court to take. Be specific to assist the judge and clerk in calendaring or granting appropriate orders.

Attachments

Itemizes connected documents (affidavits, financial affidavits, parenting plans). Attachments should be tabbed and referenced in the Statement of Facts.

Signature Block

Includes signature, printed name, date, and attorney information if applicable; required for verification and to establish who is responsible for the contents.

Step-by-step: How to prepare and file Form 12981

Follow these sequential steps to assemble, verify, and submit the form so the court accepts your filing without procedural delay.

01

Assemble: Gather all required documents and exhibits before starting the form.
02

Complete: Enter all fields carefully using the fillable-fields guidance above.
03

Review: Check names, dates, and attachments for consistency with other court filings.
04

File: Submit the form to the clerk per local filing rules, either electronically or in paper form.

Configure an electronic workflow for Form 12981

If you file electronically, configure authentication, notifications, and storage to meet court and privacy needs.

Field	Configuration
Authentication Level	Email plus SMS code for guest signers; use stronger methods for sensitive filings.
Document Naming	Include CaseNumber_PartyName_Form12981 for consistent recordkeeping.
Notification Settings	Enable confirmation emails to sender and recipients after finalization.
Retention Location	Store completed PDFs in a secure folder with restricted access and audit logging.

Technical considerations for e-filing and e-signatures

Confirm the court accepts electronic filing and the e-signature method you plan to use before submitting Form 12981.

File Formats: PDF and PDF/A are widely accepted.
Authentication: Use email+SMS or PKI where required.
Storage: AES-256 encrypted storage recommended.

Maintain an audit trail and a printable, tamper-evident PDF for court records and future reference.

Typical electronic submission flow for the form

A standard e-submission follows upload, field placement, signer authentication, signing, and delivery with an audit trail.

Upload: Sender uploads blank Form 12981 and attachments.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and text fields where required.
Sign: Signer authenticates and completes signature steps.
Deliver: System delivers signed PDF and audit certificate.

Timing and common scheduling considerations

Deadlines tied to Form 12981 depend on the court order or local rule that requires the form; confirm timing before filing.

Filing Deadline:

Submit the form by the date specified in the court order or notice.

Service Deadline:

Serve other parties within the timeframes required by the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

Response Time:

Allow time for opposing parties to respond as ordered by the court.

Hearing Schedule:

File early enough for clerk to include the form in the court file before hearings.

Retention for Calendar:

Keep copies until final disposition plus applicable retention period.

Potential consequences of incorrect or incomplete Form 12981

Rejection: Clerk may return the filing for correction

Delay: Hearing dates can be postponed

Sanctions: Court may impose sanctions for noncompliance

Contempt Risk: Failure to comply can lead to contempt proceedings

Evidentiary Gaps: Missing attachments undermine claims or defenses

Service Issues: Improper service can void further proceedings

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Adopt these practical habits to reduce rework and align submissions with court expectations.

Use consistent names

Always use party names exactly as they appear on the case caption and other filings to avoid confusion and clerical returns.

Reference exhibits

Label and staple or bind exhibits and reference them precisely in the Statement of Facts to streamline judicial review.

Proofread dates

Double-check all dates in MM/DD/YYYY format; incorrect dates can create jurisdictional or chronology issues in hearings.

Keep an audit trail

If you file electronically, retain the signed PDF and audit certificate showing timestamps, signer emails, and IP addresses.

Real-world scenarios where Form 12981 is used

These concise case snapshots illustrate typical contexts for the form in family law practice.

Family Law Hearing

A custody hearing requires a standardized summary of facts and proposed orders

Judge requests a single-page statement for the file
The court accepted the unified format, which expedited the hearing and focused issues for the parties and the judge.

Financial Disclosure

A family law financial dispute needed uniform presentation of income facts

Both parties filed Form 12981 with attachments
Standardized submission reduced discovery disputes and clarified the issues for settlement negotiations.

eSignature vendors: pricing and feature snapshot relevant to Form 12981

Compare basic pricing and essential capabilities for common eSignature providers used with court forms; signNow is listed first per comparison guidelines.

	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	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about completing and submitting Form 12981

Answers to common questions about formatting, signatures, notarization, and electronic submission when using Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981.

Need help? Contact support

Is a notary required?
If the form or an attached affidavit requires notarization, sign in front of a commissioned notary. Florida often requires notarization and two witnesses for certain family law documents; verify the specific form instruction and local rule.
Can I e-sign the form?
Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, but confirm the court’s local e-filing and signature rules before using an e-signature for Form 12981.
What happens if fields are inconsistent?
Inconsistent names, dates, or case numbers can cause the clerk to return the filing. Review all filings for consistency to avoid delays and potential hearing continuance.
How should attachments be labeled?
Label attachments as Exhibit A, Exhibit B, etc., and reference them in the Statement of Facts. Organized exhibits make review by the court and opposing counsel more efficient.
Does the form require witnesses?
Some family law filings in Florida require two witnesses for certain signatures; check the specific section of the form and Florida statutory or local rule guidance before execution.
Where do I file the form?
File at the clerk’s office for the county handling the case, or file electronically if the court accepts e-filings. Confirm format, filing fees, and service requirements with the local clerk.

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