Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.985(a) is the Notice of Related Cases, a one-page filing every party must submit when they start a family law case in Florida that involves the same parties, children, or facts as another pending or closed case anywhere in the state. The form tells the clerk and the assigned judge that another case exists, so the court can decide whether to consolidate, coordinate, or reassign the cases under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(d).
The current revision date printed on the form is 02/18 (February 2018), and the Florida Bar publishes updated instructions through the Florida Courts Self-Help Center. Filing the wrong information, or skipping this form entirely, can trigger case reassignment, judicial disqualification, sanctions under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.003, and even contempt findings in extreme cases.
According to the Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator, family law divisions handle more than 350,000 case filings each year, and clerks report that incomplete or missing 12.985(a) notices are among the top five procedural errors flagged at intake.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📌 What Form 12.985(a) does, who must file it, and the statutes that require it
- 🧾 Every box, line, and signature block on the form, explained in plain English with sample entries
- 👨👩👧 Three real-life scenarios walked through field by field, from start to finish
- ⚖️ How to file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, by mail, or in person at the clerk’s office
- 🚫 The most common mistakes filers make, the consequences of each, and how to avoid them
What Form 12.985(a) Is and Who Must File It
Florida Family Law Form 12.985(a), the Notice of Related Cases, is a sworn disclosure that you file with your initial pleading in any family law matter to alert the court that another case in Florida shares the same parties, children, or core facts. The form is required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(d) and by the family case management framework in Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.003, which together create the “one family, one judge, one team” policy.
The rule exists because Florida wants the same judge to hear every case touching one family. A divorce, a paternity case, a domestic violence injunction, a juvenile dependency case, and a child support enforcement case can all involve the same parents and children. If three different judges in three different divisions issue conflicting orders about the same child, families suffer and judicial resources get wasted. The Notice of Related Cases prevents that conflict.
You must file Form 12.985(a) if you are starting any of these case types and you know of any related case anywhere in Florida:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
- Paternity
- Child support
- Time-sharing or parental responsibility
- Name change involving a minor
- Domestic, repeat, dating, or sexual violence injunctions
- Juvenile dependency or termination of parental rights
- Adoption
- Modification of any prior family law order
The duty to file is continuing. If you learn about a related case after you have already filed your initial pleading, you must file an updated 12.985(a) right away, per the Florida Family Law Forms Index.
A common misconception is that “related” means only currently open cases. It does not. The form requires disclosure of closed cases too, as long as they involve the same parties or children and may affect the new case.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out Form 12.985(a) is fast if you have your information ready. Stopping mid-form to dig through old paperwork is the most common reason filers make mistakes. Use the checklist below before you open the official form PDF.
- Your full legal name and current address. The clerk uses this to match you to the case file. A wrong address means you miss court notices and risk a default judgment.
- The other party’s full legal name. If you misspell the other party’s name, the clerk’s case management system may fail to link the cases, defeating the whole purpose of the form.
- The case number of every related case. Florida case numbers follow the format YY-DR-XXXXXX for domestic relations or YY-DP-XXXXXX for dependency. A wrong digit means the judge cannot pull the related file.
- The county and circuit of each related case. Florida has 20 judicial circuits, listed on the Florida State Courts circuit map. Naming the wrong circuit sends the judge looking in the wrong courthouse.
- The case style (the “Smith v. Smith” caption) of every related case. The judge cross-checks the style to confirm the parties match.
- The names and dates of birth of all minor children involved in any related case. Children tie cases together more than any other factor.
- The status of each related case. Open, closed, on appeal, or in post-judgment modification — each status changes how the court coordinates the cases.
- The type of each related case. Divorce, paternity, DV injunction, dependency, adoption, or modification. The judge needs to know the case category to decide on consolidation.
- Your phone number and email address for the eFiling Portal designated email field, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
- A working PDF reader or printer so you can save, sign, and submit the completed form.
If you cannot find a case number, call the clerk of court in the county where the prior case was filed. Most county clerks publish a free public case search that lets you look up old cases by name.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Form 12.985(a) lives on the Florida State Courts website. Download it directly from the Family Law Forms page under section 12.985, or pull the direct PDF link. The PDF is fillable, so you can type your answers on a computer instead of writing by hand.
You can also pick up a paper copy at any county clerk of court family law intake counter, or at a Florida Self-Help Center walk-in location. Self-help staff cannot give legal advice, but they can hand you the right form and confirm you are looking at the current version.
Always verify the revision date in the bottom-left corner of the form. The current version is 02/18. If your downloaded copy shows an older revision date, throw it out and download the latest one. Clerks can reject filings that use outdated form versions, especially in high-volume circuits like the Eleventh (Miami-Dade) and the Ninth (Orange/Osceola).
A common misconception is that any “Notice of Related Cases” template will work. It will not. Florida courts require the Florida Supreme Court Approved version, identifiable by the form number 12.985(a) and the small Supreme Court seal in the header. Generic templates from third-party legal sites are routinely rejected at the clerk’s intake desk.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form 12.985(a) Line by Line
The form has a caption (header), a body with three numbered paragraphs, a signature block, and a Certificate of Service. Each section gets its own H3 below, with the six-element walkthrough required by Florida intake clerks.
Caption: Court, County, and Case Number
Plain English: The very top of the form asks you to identify the court where you are filing, the county, and the case number assigned to your new case (not the related one).
How to fill it in: On the line “IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE _ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,” type or print the circuit number in words (e.g., Seventeenth). On the line “IN AND FOR _ COUNTY, FLORIDA,” type the county (e.g., Broward). Leave the Case No. line blank if you have not filed yet — the clerk stamps it after intake. If you already have a case number from the eFiling Portal, enter it as YY-DR-XXXXXX.
Example entry: Maria Lopez, filing a dissolution in Broward County, writes Seventeenth on the circuit line and Broward on the county line. She leaves Case No. blank because she is filing her petition and 12.985(a) at the same time.
Nuance / edge case: If you are filing in a county with a unified family division (such as Hillsborough or Orange), the division name still goes inside the case number once the clerk assigns it; you do not write it in the caption.
Common mistake and consequence: Filers often write the related case number in the caption instead of the new case’s number. This routes the form to the wrong file and the new judge never sees the disclosure, which can trigger a Rule 2.545(d) violation.
Misconception: Many people think “Division” goes in the caption. The form does not have a division line; the clerk assigns and stamps the division during intake.
Petitioner / Respondent (Parties Block)
Plain English: Right below the case number, you list the two parties: the Petitioner (the person who files first) and the Respondent (the other party).
How to fill it in: Print each party’s full legal name in standard case (not all caps) on the lines provided. Use the name from the person’s driver’s license or birth certificate. Do not use nicknames.
Example entry: Maria writes Maria Elena Lopez on the Petitioner line and Carlos Antonio Lopez on the Respondent line.
Nuance / edge case: If a party uses a different name in the related case (for example, a maiden name), use the current legal name here and disclose the alias inside paragraph 1 of the body.
Common mistake and consequence: Filers sometimes type only first and last names, omitting middle names that appear in the related case. The clerk’s case-linking software then fails to tie the cases, and the related-case coordination required by Rule 12.003 does not happen.
Misconception: People assume the Petitioner is always the wife or the mother. The Petitioner is simply whoever files first, regardless of gender or role.
Paragraph 1: Identification of Filing Party
Plain English: Paragraph 1 says “I, {full legal name}, certify that the following is a list of all related cases…” You fill in your own full legal name in the blank.
How to fill it in: Print your full legal name exactly as it appears on the petition. If you are the Petitioner, your name matches the Petitioner line in the caption. If you are the Respondent answering a petition, your name matches the Respondent line.
Example entry: Maria writes Maria Elena Lopez.
Nuance / edge case: If an attorney signs on your behalf, the attorney still lists your name here, not the attorney’s name, because the certification is yours, not the attorney’s.
Common mistake and consequence: Filers sometimes leave this line blank because they signed the bottom of the form. The form is then technically unsworn and the clerk can reject it under Rule 12.080.
Misconception: People think only the petitioner files this form. Both parties can and often must file it; whoever discovers a related case first has the duty to disclose it.
Paragraph 2: List of Related Cases
Plain English: Paragraph 2 is the heart of the form. It asks you to list every related case by case number, court, parties, and status.
How to fill it in: For each related case, write a separate row including (a) case number, (b) county and circuit, (c) case style (parties), (d) case type, and (e) current status. If you have more than three related cases, attach a continuation sheet labeled “Attachment to Form 12.985(a).”
Example entry: Maria writes 2019-DR-004512, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Lopez v. Lopez, Paternity, Closed 11/2020.
Nuance / edge case: A pending appeal counts as an open case. List the District Court of Appeal case number alongside the trial court case number, and mark the status as On Appeal.
Common mistake and consequence: The single biggest error on this form is omitting closed cases, especially old paternity or DV injunction cases. Omission can be treated as a sworn misrepresentation and may support a motion to disqualify the assigned judge, per Rule 2.330.
Misconception: Filers think “related” means cases involving them and the same other party. Cases involving the same child but a different parent (for example, a dependency case) also count.
Paragraph 3: Continuing Duty to Disclose
Plain English: Paragraph 3 is the certification that you understand your duty to update the form if you learn of more related cases later.
How to fill it in: You do not write anything inside paragraph 3 itself; you simply read it carefully so you understand the obligation, then sign at the bottom.
Example entry: Maria reads paragraph 3 and confirms she understands she must file an Amended Notice of Related Cases if she later learns of any other case touching her family.
Nuance / edge case: If a related case is filed after yours (for example, the other parent files a DV injunction the next week), the duty still applies. File an amended notice within a reasonable time, generally within 10 days of learning about it.
Common mistake and consequence: Filers ignore the continuing duty, then face sanctions under Rule 12.380 when the omission surfaces months later. Sanctions can include attorney’s fees and even striking pleadings.
Misconception: People think filing once is enough. The duty is ongoing for the life of the case.
Signature Block
Plain English: This is where you sign and date the form, and provide your contact information.
How to fill it in: Sign on the signature line in blue or black ink. Print your name below the signature. Add your address, phone number, and the email address you designated for service under Rule 2.516. Date the form using the MM/DD/YYYY format.
Example entry: Maria signs Maria Elena Lopez, prints her name below, lists 123 Palm Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, phone (954) 555-0142, email maria.lopez@example.com, and dates it 06/03/2026.
Nuance / edge case: If you are filing through the eFiling Portal, the system accepts an “/s/ Maria Elena Lopez” e-signature in place of a wet signature, per Florida Rule of General Practice 2.515.
Common mistake and consequence: Filers forget to date the form. An undated form can be rejected at intake and, if accepted, may be challenged later as invalid because the court cannot determine when the duty to disclose was triggered.
Misconception: Many filers think they need a notary. Form 12.985(a) is not notarized; it is signed under penalty of perjury per Rule 12.285(k).
Certificate of Service
Plain English: The final block confirms you sent a copy of the form to the other party (or their lawyer).
How to fill it in: Check the box for the delivery method (e-mail, hand delivery, or U.S. mail), list the recipient’s name and address or email, and date and sign the certificate.
Example entry: Maria checks e-mail, lists Carlos Antonio Lopez, carlos.lopez@example.com, dates 06/03/2026, and signs.
Nuance / edge case: If the other party has not yet been served with the petition, you serve the 12.985(a) along with the petition and summons through the sheriff or a private process server. Note “served with summons” in the certificate.
Common mistake and consequence: Filers leave the certificate blank, treating it as optional. A blank certificate violates Rule 2.516, and the judge can refuse to consider the notice until proper service is shown.
Misconception: Some people think eFiling automatically serves the other party. It does not unless the other party is registered for e-service in the case; otherwise you must serve manually and complete the certificate.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how very different filers complete Form 12.985(a). Each table shows what the named filer enters in each major section.
Scenario 1: Maria, Divorcing With a Prior Paternity Case
Maria Lopez files for divorce from Carlos in Broward County. Five years ago, before they married, they had a paternity case for their oldest child.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Circuit / County | Seventeenth / Broward |
| Case No. | (blank — clerk stamps) |
| Petitioner | Maria Elena Lopez |
| Respondent | Carlos Antonio Lopez |
| Paragraph 1 (filer name) | Maria Elena Lopez |
| Related Case 1 — Number | 2019-DR-004512 |
| Related Case 1 — Court | Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Broward County |
| Related Case 1 — Style | Lopez v. Lopez |
| Related Case 1 — Type / Status | Paternity / Closed 11/2020 |
| Signature & Date | Maria Elena Lopez / 06/03/2026 |
| Certificate of Service | E-mail to carlos.lopez@example.com, 06/03/2026 |
Scenario 2: Janet, DV Injunction Filer With a Pending Dissolution
Janet Williams files a petition for protection against domestic violence in Orange County. She and her husband already have an open dissolution case in the same circuit.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Circuit / County | Ninth / Orange |
| Case No. | (blank — clerk stamps) |
| Petitioner | Janet Marie Williams |
| Respondent | David Lee Williams |
| Paragraph 1 (filer name) | Janet Marie Williams |
| Related Case 1 — Number | 2025-DR-009881 |
| Related Case 1 — Court | Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County |
| Related Case 1 — Style | Williams v. Williams |
| Related Case 1 — Type / Status | Dissolution of Marriage / Open |
| Signature & Date | Janet Marie Williams / 06/03/2026 |
| Certificate of Service | Served with summons by sheriff, 06/03/2026 |
Scenario 3: Marcus, Modifying Child Support With a Related Dependency Case
Marcus Johnson files a supplemental petition to modify child support in Duval County. The child is currently the subject of an open juvenile dependency case in the same circuit.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Circuit / County | Fourth / Duval |
| Case No. | 2022-DR-006677 (existing) |
| Petitioner | Marcus Devon Johnson |
| Respondent | Tasha Renee Johnson |
| Paragraph 1 (filer name) | Marcus Devon Johnson |
| Related Case 1 — Number | 2024-DP-001203 |
| Related Case 1 — Court | Fourth Judicial Circuit, Duval County |
| Related Case 1 — Style | In the Interest of A.J., a child |
| Related Case 1 — Type / Status | Juvenile Dependency / Open |
| Signature & Date | Marcus Devon Johnson / 06/03/2026 |
| Certificate of Service | E-mail to opposing counsel, 06/03/2026 |
A fourth filer, Aisha Carter, is filing a name change for her minor child while a paternity case is pending in another circuit; her form would list the paternity case as the related case. A fifth filer, Robert Nguyen, is filing an adoption while a closed dependency case exists for the same child; he must list the closed dependency case even though it terminated parental rights two years ago.
How to File the Completed Form
Florida offers three filing channels for Form 12.985(a): the eFiling Portal, U.S. mail, and in-person filing at the clerk of court.
eFiling Portal. Most filers use the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Create a free account, select the correct county, upload the signed PDF, and pay any associated petition fee with a credit card. There is no separate filing fee for the 12.985(a) itself; it rides along with the underlying petition. Processing time is typically 1–3 business days for the clerk’s docket stamp. Save the email confirmation as your proof of filing.
U.S. Mail. Print and sign the form, then mail it to the clerk of court in the county where the case is or will be filed. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want a stamped copy returned. Use certified mail with return receipt as proof of filing. Processing time is 5–10 business days. The clerk’s stamped copy serves as your proof of filing.
In Person. Bring the signed form (and two copies) to the family law intake counter at your county clerk’s office. Hours and addresses are listed at the Florida Clerks of Court directory. The clerk stamps your copies on the spot. There is no extra fee for in-person filing. Processing time is immediate.
If your underlying petition requires a filing fee (for example, $408 for dissolution under Florida Statute 28.241), you pay that fee with the petition; the 12.985(a) itself is free. Accepted payment methods include credit card (online), check or money order (mail), and cash, check, or card (in person).
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk dockets your Form 12.985(a), the case management staff cross-references it with the case numbers you listed. If the related case is in the same circuit, the chief judge’s family case coordinator typically reassigns your new case to the judge already handling the related case, consistent with the unified family court policy in Rule 12.003.
If the related case is in a different circuit, the two chief judges confer and decide whether to transfer venue, coordinate hearings, or leave the cases separate. You may receive an Order of Reassignment or an Order Setting Case Management Conference within 14–30 days of filing.
The judge may also issue an Order to Show Cause if the disclosed related case suggests venue, jurisdiction, or UCCJEA issues. You will then have a chance to brief those issues before any substantive hearing.
If you later discover another related case, immediately file an Amended Notice of Related Cases, again on Form 12.985(a). Mark the title “Amended” by hand at the top, and serve the amended notice using the certificate of service block.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Filers make the same handful of mistakes over and over. Each mistake below carries a real, specific consequence.
- Omitting closed cases. Closed cases must be listed; omission can support a motion to disqualify the judge.
- Wrong circuit number. Writing Eleventh when you mean Seventeenth sends the form to the wrong court system and delays case linkage.
- Misspelled party names. Misspellings break the clerk’s automated case-linking and the judge never sees the related case.
- Leaving the case number blank for the related case. Without the case number, the assigned judge cannot pull the related file.
- Forgetting to sign. An unsigned form is a legal nullity and the clerk will reject it.
- Forgetting to date. Undated forms cannot be timestamped against the duty-to-disclose deadline.
- Skipping the Certificate of Service. A blank certificate violates Rule 2.516 and the judge may strike the filing.
- Using an outdated form revision. Old revisions can be rejected, especially in high-volume circuits.
- Listing only the parties and not the children. Cases involving the same children but different adults still count and must be disclosed.
- Treating the duty as one-time. Failing to file an amended notice when a new related case appears can lead to sanctions.
- Confusing related with consolidated. “Related” is a disclosure standard; “consolidated” is a court order. You disclose; the judge decides whether to consolidate.
- Filing the form in the wrong county. Form 12.985(a) is filed in the county where your new case is pending, not in the county of the related case.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do download the form fresh from flcourts.gov every time, because revisions roll out without notice.
- Do use the statewide case search to confirm case numbers before you write them down.
- Do disclose closed cases; the rule covers any case that “may affect” your new case.
- Do keep a stamped copy of every notice you file for at least the life of the case.
- Do file an amended notice promptly when you learn of a new related case.
- Do use the e-signature format “/s/ Your Name” if you are filing through the portal.
Don’t:
- Don’t guess at case numbers; a guessed number is worse than no number.
- Don’t abbreviate party names; use full legal names exactly as in the related case.
- Don’t rely on the eFiling Portal to serve the other party automatically; check whether they are registered for e-service first.
- Don’t skip the form because “the judge already knows”; the form is a written record, not a conversation.
- Don’t notarize the form; it is signed under penalty of perjury, not under oath before a notary.
- Don’t combine 12.985(a) with another form into a single PDF in the eFiling Portal; upload it as its own document type.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se:
- No attorney fees. The form itself is short and free.
- Speed. You can complete it in 15 minutes if you have the information ready.
- Self-help support. Florida Self-Help Centers provide free guidance.
- Direct control. You decide what you disclose and when.
- Educational. Filing once teaches you the rules for future amendments.
Cons of filing pro se:
- Risk of omission. Without legal training, you may miss a “related” case that an attorney would catch.
- No legal advice from clerks. Self-help staff can hand you the form but cannot tell you whether a specific case is “related.”
- Sanction exposure. Mistakes can lead to fees or stricken pleadings.
- No strategic framing. An attorney can describe the related case in a way that supports your venue or jurisdiction argument.
- Time cost. Researching prior case numbers across counties can take hours without legal staff.
If you are unsure, the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30-minute consultation for a low flat fee.
FAQs
Is Form 12.985(a) required in every family law case? Yes. Every party filing an initial pleading in a Florida family law case must file the form, even if there are no related cases; in that situation you check or write “None” in paragraph 2.
Is there a filing fee for Form 12.985(a)? No. The form itself has no fee; you only pay the underlying petition fee, such as the $408 dissolution fee.
Do I write my maiden name or married name on the Petitioner line? Yes, use whichever name is your current legal name on your driver’s license, and disclose any prior names inside paragraph 2 with the related case style.
Do I need to list a closed paternity case from 10 years ago? Yes, if it involves the same parties or children as the new case, the duty to disclose covers closed cases without a time limit.
Is a notary required on Form 12.985(a)? No. The form is signed under penalty of perjury, not before a notary, per Rule 12.285(k).
Can I file Form 12.985(a) by email directly to the judge? No. All filings must go through the clerk of court via the eFiling Portal, mail, or in person; emailing the judge violates ex parte rules.
Do I write the related case number or my new case number in the caption? No, put your new case number (or leave blank for the clerk) in the caption; related case numbers go in paragraph 2.
Is the duty to disclose ongoing after I file? Yes. You must file an amended Form 12.985(a) any time you learn of a new related case, even years into the case.
Can my attorney sign for me? Yes, an attorney of record can sign, but the certification still names you as the filing party in paragraph 1.
Do I file this form in the county of my new case or the county of the related case? No to the related case county; you file Form 12.985(a) in the county where your new case is pending.
Is a juvenile dependency case “related” to my divorce? Yes, if it involves any of the same children, the dependency case is related and must be disclosed.
Can the clerk reject Form 12.985(a) for using an outdated revision? Yes, clerks routinely reject filings using superseded revisions; always confirm the 02/18 revision date or the latest version on flcourts.gov.
Do I need to serve the other party with this form separately from the petition? Yes, unless they are e-service registered; otherwise complete the Certificate of Service and serve a paper or email copy.
Is the form different for same-sex couples? No. Form 12.985(a) is identical regardless of the parties’ genders or marital configuration.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.940(a) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.945 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.960 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form CR6E020 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.918 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.985(b) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.930(d) (w/Examples) + FAQs