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). 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, the other party has 20 days to answer after being served with your
supplemental 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 call the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set
a final hearing. You must notify the other party 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 the respondent files an answer that agrees with everything in your
supplemental petition or an answer and waiver, and you have complied with mandatory disclosure
and filed all of the required papers, you may call the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial
assistant to set a final hearing. You must notify the other party 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 the respondent files an answer or an answer and counterpetition, which disagrees
with or denies anything in your supplemental 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 the respondent 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
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.905(a), Supplemental Petition to Modify
Parental Responsibility, Visitation, or Parenting Plan/Time-Sharing Schedule and Other Relief (11/15)