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Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981A

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW
FORM 12.981(d)(1),
PETITION FOR ADOPTION INFORMATION
(03/15)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

Case No.:

IN AND FOR COUNTY, FLORIDA

Division:

IN RE: THE ADOPTION OF Adoptee(s).

PETITION FOR ADOPTION INFORMATION

1. I, am interested in this matter as:

{choose one only}

adult adoptee (over 18).

adoptive parent.

adult birth sibling.

other:{specify}

2. The adoptee(s), was (were) born on

3. I request nonidentifying information as to family medical history and social history of the adoptee(s) as follows:

{indicate all that apply}

If available, to be furnished to adoptive parents before finalization of the adoption.

If available, to be furnished to adoptee upon request after adoptee reaches majority.

4. The reason I am requesting disclosure of this information is:

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:

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 deputy clerk.}

Personally known

Produced identification

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} adult adoptee adoptive parent adult birth sibling other {specify}

This form was completed with the assistance of:

{name of individual} of {name of business}

{address}

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

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What the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981A Is

The Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981A is an official, standardized form used in Florida family court proceedings to collect structured case-related information from parties. Courts and clerks distribute the form to ensure consistent disclosure of facts and to support case management, hearings, or settlements. The form’s standardized layout reduces variability between filings and helps clerks and judges locate required data quickly. It is intended to be completed accurately and filed with the appropriate county clerk or submitted electronically when permitted by local court rules.

Why accurate completion matters

Using Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981A ensures consistent disclosures, reduces clerical errors, and creates a uniform court record that supports efficient case scheduling and judicial review across Florida county courts.

Why accurate completion matters

Who commonly completes this form

Typical users include parties to family law cases, attorneys, and clerks who process filings.

  • Self-represented litigants who must disclose financial and custodial information to the court.
  • Family law attorneys preparing standardized filings, ensuring compliance with procedural and evidentiary requirements.
  • County clerks and judges who rely on consistent formatting to review cases efficiently.

Representative signer profiles

Petitioner — Self-Represented

A petitioner who files without counsel uses the form to disclose income, expenses, assets, debts, and childcare arrangements. Accurate entries reduce delays and help the court evaluate support, custody, and equitable distribution issues during hearings or settlement negotiations.

Attorney — Family Law

An attorney completing the form must verify client-supplied data, attach required exhibits, and ensure filings meet local court format and service rules. Attorneys should double-check calculations and include explanatory notes where values require clarification for judicial review.

Essential fields and required entries

Party Names: Full legal names of both parties.
Case Number: Clerk-assigned docket number from court.
Income Details: Monthly gross and net amounts.
Assets and Debts: List account types and balances.
Child Custody Info: Primary residence and parenting schedule.
Signature and Date: Signer name, signature, and date.

Step-by-step: complete and file the form

Follow these steps to complete and file Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981A accurately.

  • 01
    Prepare Documents: Gather income, asset, and expense records.
  • 02
    Complete Form: Enter all requested information clearly and completely.
  • 03
    Attach Evidence: Add pay stubs, tax returns, and receipts.
  • 04
    File and Serve: Submit to clerk and serve opposing party per rules.

Where to file and how the form moves through court

This flow describes where to file, how the document moves through the clerk's office, and typical post-filing steps.

  • Upload or Deliver: File electronically if local portal permits, otherwise deliver paper.
  • Clerk Review: Clerk stamps and records the submission for case file.
  • Service: Provide proof of service to the court and parties.
  • Scheduling: Court schedules hearings or mediation based on local procedures.

Configure an online workflow for review and signing

Configure an online workflow to route Form 12981A for review, attachments, and signing and electronic submission.

Field Configuration
Authentication Email verification or optional SMS code for signer authentication.
Attachments Allow PDF uploads; require supporting exhibits before submission.
Signer Order Specify sequential or parallel signing order per case requirements.
Retention Store signed copy and audit trail for court record retention.

Technical and integration considerations for eSubmission

Verify technical requirements and supported formats before eSubmission to reduce rejection risk and confirm signer authentication methods.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML supported
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced methods available

Common eSignature pricing and feature comparison

This pricing comparison shows common plan features and starting prices across popular eSignature providers, with signNow listed first for reference.

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, no credit card required Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Typical timelines and processing expectations

Processing times vary by county and case load; below are common milestones to plan for when filing and responding.

Initial Filing:

Clerk processing typically 1–5 business days depending on method.

Response Period:

Opposing party generally has 20–30 days to respond after service.

Hearing Scheduling:

Hearings are often scheduled 4–12 weeks after pleadings are filed.

Exhibit Submission:

Courts commonly require exhibits uploaded or filed several days before hearings.

Final Orders:

Entry of final orders may take days to weeks after hearing, depending on judge workload.

Key milestones from preparation to final order

A sequential view of the main stages helps track where the form sits in the case lifecycle.

01

Prepare Form

Complete form fields and compile attachments before filing.

02

File With Clerk

Submit the form through the county portal or by delivering paper copies.

03

Serve Opposing Party

Arrange service and file proof of service with the court.

04

Attend Hearing

Present disclosures and evidence at the scheduled court appearance.

Best practices for accurate and efficient completion

Follow these practical suggestions to reduce errors, shorten processing times, and preserve evidentiary value.

Use Consistent Source Documents
Populate financial fields from the same authoritative sources (recent pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns). Cross-check totals, document calculation methods, and attach numbered exhibits so reviewers can quickly validate amounts and avoid inconsistent entries.
Label Attachments Clearly
Name each attachment with the exhibit number and a brief description. Courts and opposing counsel can reference exhibits easily during hearings; clear labels reduce disputes about missing or misfiled documents and speed judicial review.
Preserve Audit Trails
If you sign or submit electronically, retain the platform’s audit trail showing signer identity, timestamps, and IP addresses. Audit trails support authenticity and may be required when courts evaluate electronic evidence or chain-of-custody questions.
Confirm Local Rules
Check county-specific filing, formatting, and service rules before submission. Local administrative orders can add procedural steps or exhibit requirements not covered on statewide form instructions.

Common preparation pitfalls to avoid

  • Leaving blank fields or writing 'unknown' for mandatory financial entries causes processing delays and may require amended filings.
  • Providing inconsistent dates or mismatched names between related documents leads to clerical rejection or additional verification requests from the court.
  • Failing to attach supporting exhibits such as pay stubs, tax returns, or custody schedules weakens the factual record and prolongs hearings.
  • Handwritten entries that are illegible or unaccompanied by typed versions increase the risk that critical details will be misread or omitted.

Potential penalties and legal risks for errors

Filing Errors: May prompt clerk rejection
Late Submission: Possible delay of hearings
Incorrect Calculations: Support amounts miscomputed
Incomplete Disclosure: Sanctions or contempt risk
Perjury Risk: False statements carry criminal penalties
Service Defects: Opposing party not properly notified

Illustrative scenarios using Form 12981A

Illustrative examples show typical ways Form 12981A is used in parenting, support, and property matters in Florida family courts.

Contested Custody

A parent files Form 12981A with supporting income and childcare schedules to inform the court's temporary custody and support decisions.

  • Judge reviews disclosures at initial hearing.
  • Including precise dates and attachments such as school calendars and childcare receipts helped narrow disputed timeframes, reduced the need for additional discovery, and enabled the court to set focused temporary parenting times pending final adjudication.

Financial Disclosure

A separated spouse submits Form 12981A listing assets, debts, and a month-by-month expense breakdown to support equitable distribution and spousal support calculations.

  • Accurate totals avoided recalculations at settlement.
  • Because income sources were documented with pay stubs and recent tax returns attached, the court accepted the declarations without supplemental subpoenas, shortening the timeline to final financial orders and reducing litigation costs.

Frequently asked questions about Form 12981A

Answers to common questions about signing, electronic submission, corrections, and retention for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12981A.


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