You fill out Florida Family Law Form 12.949(b), the Notice of Related Cases, by listing every other court case that involves you, the other party, or your children, then filing it with the clerk and serving a copy on the other side. This form tells the judge about other lawsuits, injunctions, dependency cases, or out-of-state custody actions that could affect your family case. Filing it correctly keeps your case moving and protects you from sanctions.
Failure to disclose related cases is more common than people think. A 2023 review by the Office of the State Courts Administrator found that family courts in Florida processed over 350,000 family case filings in a single year, and judges flagged thousands for missing or incomplete related-case disclosures, which delayed final hearings by weeks or months. Hiding or forgetting a related case can lead to vacated orders, contempt, and even criminal exposure under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How every line and box on Form 12.949(b) works in plain English
- ⚖️ Which related cases you must disclose and which you can leave off
- 🧭 How the Florida UCCJEA disclosure rules interact with this form
- 👨👩👧 Three named real-world examples covering divorce, paternity, and DV injunctions
- 🚫 The seven biggest mistakes filers make and how to avoid them
What Florida Form 12.949(b) Actually Is
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.949(b) is called the Notice of Related Cases, and it is approved by the Florida Supreme Court for use in every family law division across the state. The form puts the judge and the other side on notice that one or more other lawsuits exist that touch on the same people, the same children, or the same legal issues. Florida courts use it to coordinate cases, prevent conflicting orders, and decide which judge should handle which issue first.
The form was created to support Florida Family Law Rule 12.003, which gives the chief judge of each circuit power to assign related cases to one judge. Without this notice, two judges in the same county can sign opposite orders about the same child on the same day, which has happened more than once in Florida history. The Florida Bar’s Family Law Section has long pushed for stronger disclosure to stop this.
The plain-English version is simple. If you have any other case in any court, anywhere, that involves you, the other parent, or your child, you tell the court about it on this single page. The consequence of skipping the form is that your final judgment can be reopened, your custody order can be set aside, and you can be ordered to pay the other side’s attorney fees. A common misconception is that closed cases do not count, but closed cases with active orders, like a permanent injunction, must still be listed.
Where the Form Comes From
The Florida Supreme Court approves all family law forms through its Family Law Rules Committee. The current version of Form 12.949(b) is published on the official Florida Courts Forms page and is updated when statutes or rules change. You should always download the most recent PDF instead of reusing an old copy from a friend.
The form is part of a larger set of “notice” forms in the 12.949 series. Sister forms include Form 12.949(a), the Notice of Social Security Number, and Form 12.949(c), which deals with confidential filings. Mixing up the letters is a frequent error that delays processing because the clerk will reject the wrong form.
The legal authority for the form sits inside Florida Statute 61.522, which is part of Florida’s adoption of the UCCJEA. That statute requires every party in a child custody proceeding to disclose every prior, pending, or related case in the first pleading or in an attached affidavit. Form 12.949(b) is the Florida-approved affidavit that satisfies that duty.
Who Must File It
Any party in a Florida family law case who knows of another related case must file Form 12.949(b). This includes petitioners, respondents, intervenors, and even non-parent caregivers in some custody actions. The duty applies whether you have a lawyer or you are filing pro se.
The duty is continuing, which means you must file an updated form if you learn about a new related case after your first filing. The consequence of ignoring this ongoing duty is contempt of court under Florida Statute 38.23. A real-world example is a mother who learned mid-divorce that the father had a new domestic violence injunction filed in a different county, and her failure to amend her notice cost her a contempt finding.
A common misconception is that only the petitioner must file. Both sides have an independent duty under Rule 12.285 and the UCCJEA, so the respondent must also file the notice if the petitioner missed a case.
When You Must File Form 12.949(b)
You must file Form 12.949(b) at the very start of your family law case, attached to or filed with your first pleading, which is usually the petition or the answer. The Florida UCCJEA requires this disclosure in the first pleading because the judge needs the information before signing any temporary order. Filing late can force the judge to vacate any order entered without the disclosure.
The plain-English rule is “file it on day one.” If you forget, file it the moment you remember, and attach a short cover letter explaining the delay. The consequence of waiting is that the other side can move to strike your pleadings under Rule 12.140, which can knock out your whole petition.
A common misconception is that you only file when you know for sure another case exists. The form has a box for “no related cases,” and you must still file it to certify under oath that none exist. Skipping the form even when nothing is pending is a technical violation that some judges treat as a contempt issue.
Continuing Duty to Update
Florida treats the duty to disclose as continuing through the entire case, all the way to final judgment and even after. If you learn about a new related case while your divorce is pending, you must file an amended Form 12.949(b) within a reasonable time, which most circuits read as 10 days. The statute behind this is Section 61.522(d).
The consequence of failing to update is severe. Judges have used this duty to vacate final judgments years later, as the Fourth District did in Arjona v. Torres, where a mother’s failure to disclose a prior out-of-state custody order led to a vacated Florida custody judgment. A real-world example is a father who finalized his divorce in Miami, then a year later the mother learned he had filed a separate paternity action in Broward two months before the final hearing, and the court reopened custody.
A misconception is that updates are only needed for child-related cases. Updates also apply to financial cases like bankruptcies that affect alimony or child support, because they fall under “related” in the broad family-law sense.
Filing Deadlines by Case Type
| Case Type | Deadline to File 12.949(b) |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage with children | With the petition, per Rule 12.285 |
| Paternity action | With the petition under Chapter 742 |
| Modification of timesharing | With the supplemental petition |
| Domestic violence injunction with children | At the return hearing under Section 741.30 |
| Relocation petition | With the relocation petition under Section 61.13001 |
Each deadline carries its own consequence. Missing the relocation deadline, for instance, gives the other parent grounds to deny the move on procedural grounds alone. A common misconception is that the deadlines are flexible because they are “just notice” rules, but Florida circuit courts treat them as jurisdictional in custody matters.
How to Fill Out Form 12.949(b) Line by Line
Form 12.949(b) is a single page, but every blank line carries weight, so go slowly. The top half is the case caption, and the bottom half is the list of related cases plus your sworn signature. You can download the latest version directly from the Florida Courts forms library.
Always type or print neatly in black ink. Hand-corrected forms with whiteout get rejected in many counties, including Miami-Dade and Hillsborough. The consequence of a rejected form is a delayed hearing, which in custody cases can mean weeks of uncertainty for a child.
A common misconception is that the form is “just paperwork.” Judges read it carefully because it triggers their duty to coordinate cases under Rule 12.003.
The Caption Section
The caption sits at the top and lists the court, the county, the case number, the division, and the names of both parties. You must match the exact spelling and format used in your petition, because the clerk’s docket system rejects mismatches. The plain-English rule is “copy from your petition word for word.”
The consequence of a wrong case number is that the form gets filed in the wrong file, and the judge may never see it. A real-world example is Maria Gonzalez, who typed her case number with a hyphen instead of a dash and her notice ended up in another couple’s divorce file for three weeks. A misconception is that the division line is optional, but it controls which judge sees the notice.
The Related Cases List
The middle section is a list with rows for each related case. For each row, you fill in the case name, the case number, the court and county, the type of case, the status (open, closed, on appeal), and a short description of how it relates. You must list every case you know of, even ones from other states or countries.
The consequence of skipping a case is automatic under Section 61.522(b), which says the court must stay your case until full disclosure happens. A real-world example is David Chen, who left off a closed New York custody order and watched his Florida modification get stayed for two months while the court verified the New York record. A misconception is that “related” means only family cases, but it also includes criminal protective orders, dependency, and probate guardianships involving the same child.
The Sworn Signature Block
The bottom block is your sworn statement that the information is true. You must sign in front of a notary or a deputy clerk under Florida Statute 92.525, which lets you use a written declaration in place of a notary if you write the exact statutory language.
The consequence of a false signature is perjury under Section 837.06, a first-degree misdemeanor. A real-world example is a father who lied about a Georgia custody order, was charged with perjury, and lost custody as a sanction. A misconception is that an electronic signature through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal skips the oath, but the portal’s submission counts as a sworn filing.
Three Named Examples of Filing Form 12.949(b)
Real cases make the form easier to understand. Below are three named examples that show how different families fill out the same form differently. Each example covers a popular Florida fact pattern.
Example 1: Maria’s Divorce With a Prior DV Injunction
Maria Lopez files for divorce in Orange County and has a permanent domestic violence injunction against her husband from Seminole County. She lists the injunction on Form 12.949(b) with the Seminole case number, marks it “open and active,” and notes it grants her exclusive use of the home and protects the children. She files the notice with her petition through the E-Filing Portal.
Her judge reads the notice and immediately enters a temporary order that mirrors the injunction’s protective terms. The consequence of her thorough disclosure is faster temporary relief and clearer custody. A common misconception Maria avoided is thinking an injunction is “criminal” and not “family,” but Florida treats Chapter 741 injunctions as family-related under Rule 12.610.
Example 2: David’s Paternity Case With a Dependency Action
David Roberts files a paternity action in Hillsborough County, but the child is also the subject of a dependency case handled by the Department of Children and Families. He lists both the dependency case number and the names of the DCF case manager and the guardian ad litem. He files the form with his paternity petition.
The dependency judge and the paternity judge then coordinate under Rule 12.003, and the cases are consolidated for hearings. The consequence is no conflicting timesharing orders. A misconception David avoided is that dependency cases are “confidential” and cannot be listed, but the case number itself is not confidential under Section 39.0132.
Example 3: Aisha’s Relocation With an Out-of-State Custody Order
Aisha Patel wants to move from Jacksonville to Atlanta with her son and files a relocation petition. Her son’s father has a Georgia custody order from a prior relationship. She lists the Georgia case on Form 12.949(b), gives the Fulton County case number, and attaches a certified copy of the Georgia order.
The Florida judge then performs a UCCJEA analysis under Section 61.514 to confirm Florida is the proper forum. The consequence of Aisha’s full disclosure is a clean jurisdictional ruling. A misconception she avoided is thinking out-of-state cases do not count, but they are exactly what the UCCJEA was built to catch.
Three Common Filing Scenarios
| Filing Situation | Required Form Action |
|---|---|
| You have no other cases at all | File Form 12.949(b) with the “none known” box checked |
| You have a closed case with an active order | List the case, mark status “closed with active order,” attach the order |
| You learn about a new case mid-litigation | File an amended Form 12.949(b) within 10 days |
| Disclosure Choice | Likely Court Reaction |
|---|---|
| Full and timely disclosure | Faster temporary orders and case coordination |
| Partial disclosure missing one case | Stay of proceedings until cured |
| No disclosure at all | Sanctions, attorney fees, or vacated judgment |
| Related Case Type | Where to Find the Case Number |
|---|---|
| Domestic violence injunction | County clerk’s public records search |
| Out-of-state custody | The other state’s court clerk or UCCJEA registry |
| Federal bankruptcy affecting support | PACER federal court records |
Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Form 12.949(b)
Filers make the same errors over and over, and judges recognize them on sight. Below are the seven biggest mistakes and the negative outcome of each.
- Leaving off closed cases that still have active orders, which causes a stay until the order is verified, per Section 61.522.
- Filing the form without a notary or proper statutory declaration, which voids the form.
- Listing only Florida cases and leaving off out-of-state matters, which violates the UCCJEA and can lead to a perjury referral.
- Using an outdated version of the form from a free template website instead of the current Florida Courts version.
- Failing to update the form when a new case is filed, which is a continuing-duty violation under Rule 12.285.
- Confusing Form 12.949(b) with Form 12.949(a), the Social Security Number notice, which delays the case while the clerk corrects the filing.
- Not serving a copy on the other party, which violates Rule 12.080 and may invalidate the filing.
Each of these mistakes can be fixed, but only if caught early. The consequence of any one of them can be a delayed hearing, a vacated order, or attorney-fee sanctions. A common misconception is that the clerk will catch errors for you, but clerks only check for caption issues, not substance.
Do’s and Don’ts of Filing Form 12.949(b)
Pro tips help you avoid the most common pitfalls. Below are the do’s and don’ts that judges and family law clerks repeat at every self-help workshop sponsored by the Florida Bar Family Law Section.
Do’s
- Do download the latest version directly from the Florida Courts forms page, because outdated forms get rejected.
- Do search the statewide clerks portal for any case involving you or your children, because hidden cases trigger sanctions.
- Do attach certified copies of any out-of-state orders, because the UCCJEA requires authentication under Section 61.522.
- Do keep a stamped copy for your records, because clerks occasionally lose filings.
- Do serve the other party with a copy and file a Certificate of Service, because service is a separate requirement.
Don’ts
- Don’t list confidential identifiers like Social Security numbers, because Rule 2.425 bars them.
- Don’t lie or guess about case status, because perjury is a real risk under Section 837.06.
- Don’t skip the form just because you have no cases, because the “none known” certification is itself required.
- Don’t combine the form with unrelated motions, because clerks reject mixed filings.
- Don’t ignore an amended notice from the other side, because it may trigger your own duty to update.
Pros and Cons of Filing Form 12.949(b) Yourself
Many Floridians file this form pro se, but the choice has trade-offs. Below is a balanced look at the upsides and downsides, with a brief reason for each.
Pros
- Saves money, because attorney fees in Florida average $300 to $500 per hour according to the Florida Bar Economics Survey.
- Builds your knowledge of your own case, which helps later in mediation.
- Keeps you in control of the timing, since you do not wait for an attorney’s calendar.
- Avoids miscommunication, because you know the facts of your own family.
- Lets you use free help from your county’s self-help center.
Cons
- Risk of legal error, because the form interacts with the UCCJEA and Rule 12.285 in subtle ways.
- No legal advice, because clerks and self-help staff cannot give it under Rule 10-2.1.
- No strategy, because a related case may have tactical implications you do not see.
- Time burden, because researching every related case can take hours.
- Emotional toll, because reviewing old cases can re-open old wounds.
Court Rulings That Shape Form 12.949(b)
Florida appellate courts have repeatedly enforced the disclosure duty behind this form. In Arjona v. Torres, the Fourth District vacated a final judgment because a parent failed to disclose a foreign custody order. The court held that disclosure under the UCCJEA is jurisdictional, not optional.
In Steckler v. Steckler, the Fifth District reaffirmed that the duty is continuing and that a party who learns of a related case mid-trial must disclose it before resting. The consequence in Steckler was a remand for new findings on jurisdiction.
In Karam v. Karam, the Third District ruled that even informal foreign proceedings count as “child custody proceedings” under Section 61.503, so they belong on Form 12.949(b). A common misconception is that informal mediations or tribal proceedings do not count, but Karam says they do.
How to File and Serve Form 12.949(b)
After you fill out the form, you must file it with the clerk and serve it on the other party. Florida requires e-filing for attorneys and allows e-filing for self-represented parties through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Paper filing is still accepted in most counties for pro se filers.
The plain-English steps are file, serve, and prove service. The consequence of skipping service is that the form, while filed, has no legal effect on the other party, who can later claim surprise. A common misconception is that filing equals service, but Florida treats them as separate steps under Rule 12.080.
E-Filing Through the Portal
The E-Filing Portal accepts Form 12.949(b) as a PDF upload. You select the case, choose “Notice of Related Cases” from the document list, and submit. The portal automatically serves all e-service recipients of record under Rule 2.516.
The consequence of using the wrong document type code is a clerk-rejected filing and lost time. A real-world example is a filer in Pinellas who chose “Notice of Hearing” by mistake and waited two weeks for the rejection notice. A misconception is that portal filings do not need a sworn signature, but the portal’s user agreement treats submission as a sworn act.
Paper Filing at the Clerk’s Office
If you file in person, take three copies to the family law division of your county clerk. The clerk stamps all three, keeps one, and gives you two back. You then mail or hand-deliver one stamped copy to the other party.
The consequence of forgetting to bring extra copies is paying per-page fees for clerk-made copies, which can add up. A misconception is that paper filings are slower; many rural Florida counties actually process paper filings the same day.
State and Federal Law Behind the Form
The form sits at the crossroads of state and federal law. Federally, the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act and the International Child Abduction Remedies Act create duties to disclose foreign and out-of-state custody proceedings. Florida implements these duties through Chapter 61, Part II, the UCCJEA.
State rules then layer on. Rule 12.285 requires mandatory financial and case disclosure, and Rule 12.003 tells the chief judge how to coordinate related cases. Together, they make Form 12.949(b) the single document that satisfies multiple duties at once.
A common misconception is that federal law does not touch family disclosures, but the PKPA can preempt a Florida custody order if disclosure fails. The consequence is that another state’s court can refuse to enforce your Florida judgment.
FAQs
Do I have to file Form 12.949(b) if I have no other cases?
Yes. You still file the form and check the “none known” box, because the UCCJEA requires a sworn certification even when nothing is pending.
Can I file Form 12.949(b) electronically?
Yes. You can file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which serves the form on the other party automatically under Rule 2.516.
Do closed cases count as related?
Yes. Closed cases with active orders, like permanent injunctions, must be listed because they still affect the parties or children today.
Are out-of-state custody cases included?
Yes. The UCCJEA requires disclosure of every out-of-state and foreign custody case involving the same children.
Can I be punished for not filing?
Yes. Sanctions include attorney fees, contempt, vacated orders, and possible perjury charges under Section 837.06.
Do I need a notary?
Yes. You either notarize the form or use the written declaration language allowed by Section 92.525.
Should I list a domestic violence injunction?
Yes. Chapter 741 injunctions are family-related under Rule 12.610 and must be disclosed.
Do I have to update the form later?
Yes. The duty is continuing, and you must file an amended Form 12.949(b) within about 10 days of learning of a new related case.
Can the other party file the form too?
Yes. Both petitioner and respondent have an independent duty under Rule 12.285 and the UCCJEA.
Does the form replace the UCCJEA affidavit?
Yes. Form 12.949(b) is Florida’s approved version of the UCCJEA disclosure affidavit and satisfies Section 61.522.
Can I list dependency cases on the form?
Yes. Dependency case numbers under Chapter 39 must be disclosed even though the case files are confidential.
Will filing the form delay my case?
No. Filing the form on time speeds the case up, while failing to file is what causes stays and delays under Section 61.522.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.928 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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