Instructions to Florida Supreme Court Approved Law Form 12.901(b)(3), Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with
No Dependent or Minor Child(ren) or Property (02/18)
another state or country. However, if constructive service is used, other than granting a divorce, the
court may only grant limited relief, which cannot include spousal support (alimony). For more
information on constructive service, see Notice of Action for Dissolution of Marriage (No Child or
Financial Support), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.913(a)(1), and Affidavit of
Diligent Search and Inquiry, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.913(b). If your spouse is in
the military service of the United States, additional steps for service may be required. See, for example,
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). In sum, the law regarding constructive service and service on an individual in the military
service is very complex and you may wish to consult an attorney regarding these issues.
If personal service is used, 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, your spouse has not filed an answer, you may file a Motion for Default,
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.922(a), with the clerk of court. Then, if you have
filed all of the required papers, you may contact the clerk, family law intake staff, 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 files an answer that agrees with everything in your petition or an answer
and waiver, and you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers, you
may contact the clerk, family law intake staff, 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.
CONTESTED. If your spouse files 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 file a
Notice for Trial, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.924, after you have complied with
mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers. Some circuits may require the completion of
mediation before a final hearing may be set. You should contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or
judicial assistant for instructions on how to set your case for trial (final hearing). If your spouse files 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 defined
there. For further information, see chapter 61, Florida Statutes.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING E-SERVICE ELECTION
After the initial service of process of the petition or supplemental petition by the Sheriff or certified
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