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, no answer has been filed, 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. Then 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 section 61.09, 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 circumstances. You must strictly comply with the format
requirements set forth in the Rules of Judicial Administration. If you elect to participate in
electronic service, which means serving or receiving pleadings by electronic mail (e-mail), or
through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, you must review Florida Rule of Judicial Administration
2.516. You may find this rule at www.flcourts.org through the link to the Rules of Judicial
Administration provided under either Family Law Forms: Getting Started, or Rules of Court in the
A-Z Topical Index.
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.904(a)(1), Petition for Support
Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (02/18)