Alimony. Alimony may be awarded to a spouse if the judge finds that one spouse has an actual need for
it and that the other spouse has the ability to pay. If you want alimony, you must request it in writing in
the original petition. If you do not request alimony in writing before the final hearing, it is waived (you
may not request it later). You may request permanent alimony, bridge-the-gap alimony, durational
alimony, and/or rehabilitative alimony. If alimony is awarded, the judge may order periodic payments,
payments in lump sum, or both.
Marital/Nonmarital Assets and Liabilities. Florida law requires an equitable distribution of marital
assets and marital liabilities. “Equitable” does not necessarily mean “equal.” Many factors, including
child support, time-sharing, and alimony awards, may lead the court to make an unequal (but still
equitable) distribution of assets and liabilities. Nonmarital assets and nonmarital liabilities are those
assets and liabilities which the parties agree or the court determines belong to, or are the responsibility
of, only one of the parties. If the parties agree or the court finds an asset or liability to be nonmarital, the
judge will not consider it when distributing marital assets and liabilities.
Temporary Relief. If you need temporary relief regarding temporary use of assets, temporary
responsibility for liabilities, parental responsibility, relocation and time-sharing with child(ren), temporary
child support, or temporary alimony, you may file a Motion for Temporary Support and Time-Sharing
with Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.947(a) and a
Motion for Temporary Relocation, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law From 12.950(e). For
more information, see the instructions for those forms.
Marital Settlement Agreement. If you and your spouse are able to reach an agreement on any or all of
the issues, you should file a Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent
or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1). Both of you must
sign this agreement before a notary public or deputy clerk. Any issues on which you are unable to agree
will be considered contested and settled by the judge at the final hearing.
Parenting Plan. In all cases involving minor or dependent child(ren), a Parenting Plan shall be approved
or established by the court. As you are seeking to relocate, the Parenting Plan must include a post-
relocation schedule for access and time-sharing together with the necessary transportation
arrangements. If you and your spouse have reached an agreement, you should file a Parenting Plan,
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(a), a Safety-Focused Parenting Plan, Florida
Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(b), or a Relocation/Long-Distance Parenting Plan,
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.995(c), which addresses the time-sharing schedule
for the child(ren). If you have not reached an agreement, a proposed Parenting Plan may be filed. If the
parties are unable to agree, a Parenting Plan will be established by the court.
Final Judgment Form. These family law forms contain a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with
Dependent or Minor Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(c)(1), which
the judge may use if your case is contested. If you and your spouse reach an agreement on all of the issues,
the judge may use a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren)
(Uncontested), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.990(b)(1). You should check with
the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to see if you need to bring a final judgment with you
to the hearing. If so, you should type or print the heading, including the circuit, county, case number,
division, and the parties’ names, and leave the rest blank for the judge to complete at your hearing or
trial.
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.950(c) Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) and Relocation (02/18)