Procedure
This must be filed within 20 days of service of the initial petition.
What is an Answer (and/or) Counter Petition?
This abbreviation refers to a formal meeting where parties try to resolve disputes with a neutral third party.
What is MED (Mediation)?
A husband and wife seek to legally end their marriage, divide assets, and determine alimony and timesharing.
What is a dissolution of marriage with minor child(ren)?
Two items that must be filed 45 days after service.
What is Financial Affidavit and Certificate of compliance?
This standard is used by Florida courts to make decisions regarding children.
What is the best interests of the child?
This hearing is typically held early in the case to manage scheduling and procedural matters.
What is a case management Conference?
This abbreviation is used to describe a session or conference where the parties appear physically before the court.
What is IP (In Person)?
A father who is not listed on the birth certificate wants to establish legal rights to his child and obtain a timesharing schedule.
What is a paternity action?
This rule governs the mandatory disclosure of financial information in most family law cases.
What is Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.285?
This is the legal term for the process of dividing assets and debts in a divorce.
What is equitable distribution?
If a party fails to respond to a petition within 20 days and no extension is granted, the other party may file this.
What is a motion for default?
This abbreviation may refer to a request made during discovery to obtain documents from the other party.
What is R4P or RFP (Request for Production)?
A parent wants to change the final judgment because they believe a substantial change has occurred affecting the child's best interests.
What is a Supplemental Petition?
When interrogatories or a request for production are served after the initial pleading, responses are due within this many days.
What is 30 days?
This is the Florida statute chapter that governs family law, including divorce, custody, and support.
What is Chapter 61?
This is the proper method of serving an initial petition in Florida family court, unless waived.
What is personal service by a sheriff or certified process server?
This abbreviation is used to refer to written questions answered under oath during discovery.
What is ROGS (Interrogatories)?
A mother wants to move with her child 60 miles and is asking the court to approve the move.
What is a petition to relocate with minor child(ren)?
When interrogatories or a request for production are served with initial pleadings, the response is due this many days after service.
What is 45 days?
This term refers to giving each party notice and an opportunity to be heard before the court rules.
What is due process?
This is the typical filing fee charged by the clerk when a party files a counterpetition in a Florida family law case.
What is 295?
This abbreviation refers to the court-provided program that screens and schedules cases for mediation before trial.
What is MDS (Mediation Diversion Services)?
A woman files an emergency petition because she fears imminent harm from her ex-boyfriend, who recently threatened her in person and over text.
What is a petition for injunction for protection against domestic violence?
If a party fails to respond to a Request for Admissions within 30 days, the statements are considered this.
What is admitted?
This is what you should always do before speaking in a courtroom or addressing the judge.
What is stand and ask permission (e.g., “May I be heard, Your Honor?”)?