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Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12983C Answer

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MOTION FOR SCIENTIFIC PATERNITY TESTING

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE

IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No.:

Division:

Petitioner,

and

Respondent,

MOTION FOR SCIENTIFIC PATERNITY TESTING

certifies that the following information is true:

1. At this time, other than testimony, very little or no substantial proof of paternity or nonpaternity is available in this action.

2. I request, under section 742.12, Florida Statutes, that the Court enter an order for appropriate scientific testing of the biological samples of Petitioner and Respondent and the minor child(ren) listed below, so that a determination of paternity of the minor child(ren) can be made to a reasonable degree of medical certainty:

Name Birth Date
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

3. I request that the costs of the scientific testing initially be borne by

I certify that a copy of this document was

Petitioner or his/her attorney:

Respondent or his/her attorney:

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Fax Number:

Designated E-mail Address(es):

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.}

Type of identification produced

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}

This form was completed with the assistance of:

{name of individual}

{name of business}

{address}

{city} , {state} , {zip code} , {telephone number}

Enter text

What the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12983C Answer Is

The Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12983C Answer is a standardized court pleading used to respond to a petition in certain family law matters in Florida. It provides the respondent an organized way to admit or deny specific allegations, state affirmative defenses or counterclaims, and assert jurisdictional or procedural objections. Completing Form 12983C properly frames issues for the court, ensures procedural compliance with Florida rules, and preserves factual and legal positions for hearings and later stages of the case.

Why a Proper Form 12983C Answer Matters

A correct Answer secures your procedural rights, narrows disputed facts for the court, and prevents default judgment risk by timely responding to the petition.

Why a Proper Form 12983C Answer Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Files This Answer

The Answer is prepared by respondents in Florida family law proceedings, often with attorney assistance where legal or custody issues exist.

  • Self-represented litigants preparing a basic response to admissions or denials without extensive legal argument.
  • Family law attorneys drafting answers that include affirmative defenses, jurisdictional objections, or counter-petitions.
  • Court clerks and legal aid staff assisting low-income filers with procedural completion and e-filing instructions.

Step-by-Step: Filling Out and Filing the Answer

Follow these core steps to complete Form 12983C accurately and avoid common filing issues.

  • 01
    Review Petition: Read the petition and number each allegation you will admit or deny.
  • 02
    Complete Form: Enter case caption, respond to numbered paragraphs, add defenses, sign, and date.
  • 03
    Attach Documents: Add exhibits or supporting affidavits and label them clearly for the clerk and opposing party.
  • 04
    File and Serve: E-file or file in person, then serve the petitioner per Florida service rules.

How the Answer Moves Through Court Processing

Understanding routing helps you anticipate clerk actions, opposing party response, and scheduling orders.

  • Filing: Clerk accepts the Answer, assigns a date stamp, and updates the docket.
  • Service: You must serve the petitioner and file proof of service with the clerk.
  • Response: Petitioner may reply or file motions challenging the Answer or raising discovery.
  • Scheduling: Court may issue a case management or temporary hearing schedule after pleadings close.

Typical eFiling and eSubmission Settings for Form 12983C Answer

Set up e-filing fields and attachments before upload to avoid rejection and speed processing.

Document Answer PDF (searchable) | single file preferred
Attachments Exhibits and affidavits | PDF labeled and bookmarked
Case Number Exact format from petition | required
Service Method E-service or mail per Fla. R. Gen. Pract. & Jud. Admin
Signature Type Scanned wet signature or compliant e-signature | include certificate

Delivery Options and Technical Requirements

Courts accept filings through their approved e-filing portals; formats and file size limits vary by county.

  • File Format: PDF/A preferred; avoid locked or password-protected files
  • File Size: Split large exhibits; many portals limit single-file size
  • Authentication: Use account credentials required by the e-filing service

Key Deadlines and Timing to Keep in Mind

Timely filing and service are essential; missing an Answer deadline can lead to default or additional relief for the petitioner.

Answer Deadline:

Typically 20 days after service for general civil pleadings (Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.140)

Proof of Service:

File immediately after serving the petitioner to confirm compliance

Emergency Motions:

File at once for temporary relief; hearing schedules vary by county

Case Management:

Court may set scheduling orders within weeks after pleadings close

Amendments:

Motions to amend pleadings should be timely and in good faith

Typical Case Milestones from Answer Through Early Case Events

A representative milestone flow shows the common next steps after submitting an Answer to a family law petition.

01

Filing Accepted

Clerk-stamped receipt and docket entry created

02

Proof of Service Filed

Confirms petitioner received the Answer

03

Pretrial/Scheduling Conference

Court sets deadlines for discovery and hearings

04

Temporary Relief Hearing

If requested, court may decide temporary custody, support, or injunctions

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Preparing Form 12983C Answer

  • Missing the correct case caption or case number can result in clerical rejection or misfiling by the clerk.
  • Failing to respond to each numbered paragraph of the petition creates ambiguity and may invite default admissions.
  • Attaching unsigned or unverified exhibits undermines admissibility and can delay hearings or require refiling.
  • Not serving the petitioner properly or failing to file proof of service can lead to motions to strike the Answer.

Essential Document and Privacy Considerations

Personal Data: Include only necessary PII; redact unrelated sensitive data
Health Information: Comply with HIPAA when attachments contain medical records
Child Information: Follow court rules for sealing or redacting minor data
Confidential Exhibits: Request protective orders before public filing when needed
eFiling Security: Use secure portal credentials and encrypted uploads
Retention: Keep originals and electronic copies per legal retention rules

Consequences of an Incorrect or Untimely Answer

Default Judgment: Court may enter default for failure to timely respond
Evidence Exclusion: Improperly notarized or unsigned exhibits can be excluded
Sanctions: Frivolous or dilatory pleadings risk court sanctions
Delay: Errors lead to continuances, increasing costs and time
Relief Denied: Failure to assert defenses timely can forfeit relief options
Fee Exposure: Possible attorney fee awards or cost shifting

Representative eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

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Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Plan-dependent Plan-dependent Plan-dependent Plan-dependent
Bulk Send Yes (available) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA available) Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About Form 12983C Answer

Answers to common procedural and technical questions help avoid refile or rejection issues when submitting Form 12983C.


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