INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY
LAW FORM 12.903(a), ANSWER, WAIVER, AND REQUEST FOR COPY OF
FINAL JUDGMENT OF DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (12/10)
When should this form be used?
This form should be used when you have been served with a petition for dissolution of marriage
and you do not wish to contest it or appear at a hearing. If you file this form, you are admitting all
of the allegations in the petition, saying that you do not need to be notified of or appear at the final
hearing, and that you would like a copy of the final judgment mailed to you.
This form should be typed or printed in black ink, and your signature should be witnessed by a
notary public or deputy clerk. After completing this form, you should sign the form before a notary
public. You should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the
petition was filed and keep a copy for your records.
What should I do next?
You have 20 days to answer after being served with the other party’s petition. A copy of this form,
along with all of the other forms required with this answer and waiver, must be mailed or hand
delivered to the other party in your case.
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.
Special notes...
With this form, you must also file the following:
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Florida Supreme
Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(d), if the case involves a dependent or minor
child(ren).
Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), if
the case involves a dependent or minor child(ren). (If you do not know the other party’s
income, you may file this worksheet after his or her financial affidavit has been served on you).
Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor
Child(ren), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(f)(1), or Marital
Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with No Dependent or Minor Child(ren),
Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.903(a), Answer, Waiver, and Request for
Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (12/10)