IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO THE
FLORIDA FAMILY LAW
RULES OF PROCEDURE.
No. 89,955
[June 25, 1998]

OVERTON, J.

We have before us the Family Court Steering Committee's emergency petition to amend the Florida Family Law Forms to conform to legislative changes that become effective July 1, 1998. We agree that the changes are necessary to comply with the new legislation, which affects the domestic violence injunction forms[1] and the forms governing support issues[2].

The following forms, which are attached as appendix "A," have been amended to comply with the new legislation and also include minor non-substantive changes where necessary to correct unclear language or errors in the forms[3].

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

 
Form 12.980(d), Temporary Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence

 
Form 12.980(e), Final Judgment of Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence

 
SUPPORT
 

 Form 12.947(b), Temporary Order of Support with Dependent or Minor Child(ren)
 

 Form 12.948(b), Temporary Support Order with no Dependent or Minor Child(ren)

 
Form 12.983(a), Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief

 
Form 12.983(c), Answer to Petition and Counterpetition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief
 

 Form 12.983(g), Final Judgment of Paternity

Form 12.990(c)(1), Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren)

  Form 12.990(c)(2), Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage with Property But No Dependent or Minor Child(ren)

 
Form 12.993(a), Supplemental Final Judgment of Modification of Parental Responsibility /Visitation

 
Form 12.993(b), Supplemental Final Judgment Modifying Child Support

 
Form 12.993(c) Supplement Final Judgment Modifying Alimony
 

Form 12.994(a), Final Judgment for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren)

 
Form 12.994(b), Final Judgment for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with No Dependent or Minor Child(ren)
 

 Accordingly, we adopt the amendments to the forms as proposed by the Steering Committee and as set forth in appendix A of this opinion, effective midnight, July 1, 1998. However, because the domestic violence injunction forms are mandatory, see Florida Family Law Rule 12.610(c)(2)(A), and because this opinion is being issued less than one week before the effective date of the amendments adopted in this opinion, we will provide a one month grace period beginning July 1, 1998, in which the previously adopted domestic violence injunction forms may continue to be used. During this interim period, pursuant to chapter 98-284, section 2, Laws of Florida, the following language should be written or typed on the face of the Final Judgment of Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence form[4] currently being used:

 

Under section 790.233, Florida Statutes, it is a first degree misdemeanor for the respondent to have in his or her care, custody, possession, or control any firearm or ammunition. Pursuant to this statute, respondent shall not have in his or her care, custody, possession or control any firearm or ammunition.

 We will accept comments regarding the Family Law Forms generally and suggestions as to how to simplify those forms until September 15, 1998.

 It is so ordered.

 
SHAW, HARDING, WELLS, ANSTEAD and PARIENTE, JJ., concur.

 
Original Proceeding - Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure

APPENDIX A

 
(NOTE: THE APPENDIX WITH FORMS IS IN DOCUMENT NAMED: OP-89955.2)

FOOTNOTES:

1.See Ch. 98-284, Laws of Fla. (making it a first degree misdemeanor for a person subject to a final injunction for protection against domestic violence to have in his or her care, custody, possession, or control any firearm or ammunition).

2.See Ch. 98-397, Laws of Fla. (providing that the court must apportion the costs of uncovered medical, dental, and prescription medication of a child and that the court may order that payment be made directly to the payee on a percentage basis; also providing that a separate income deduction order be issued).

3.To allow for immediate use of the forms via the downloading of this opinion from our Internet site at "www.flcourts.org/courts/supct/rules.html," the forms, as attached in appendix A to this opinion, do not include strike-throughs and underlining to reflect deletions and additions where changes have been made. To view a copy of the forms with strike-throughs and underlining, please see appendix A of the emergency petition filed by the Family Courts Steering Committee, located at "www.flcourts.org/courts/supct/proposed.html."

4.Florida Family Law Form 12.980(e)