RULE 12.020. APPLICABILITY OF FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure are applicable in all family law matters except as otherwise provided in these rules. These rules shall govern in cases where a conflict with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure may occur. Whenever the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure apply to family matters, the use of the words plaintiff, defendant, and complaint within the context of the civil rules shall be interchangeable, where appropriate, with the words, petitioner, respondent, and petition, respectively.

RULE 12.030. NONVERIFICATION OF PLEADINGS

Verification of pleadings shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.030.

RULE 12.050. WHEN ACTION COMMENCED

Commencement of actions shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.050.

RULE 12.060. TRANSFERS OF ACTIONS

Transfers of actions shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.060.

RULE 12.070. PROCESS

Upon the commencement of all family law actions, including proceedings to modify a final judgment service of process shall be as set forth in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.070. The summons, cross-claim summons, and third-party summons in family law matters shall be patterned after Florida Family Law Form 12.910(a) and shall specifically contain the following language:

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

This rule does not govern service of process in domestic and repeat violence proceedings.