Florida Form P-3.1700 is the Petition for Specific Family Law Injunction filed in a Florida circuit court to ask a judge to order another person (the respondent) to do something, stop doing something, or transfer property inside an open family law case under Florida Family Law Rule 12.610 and the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure. The form lives in the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms library and must match the revision date printed in the bottom-right footer of the official PDF posted on the Florida Courts website.
Filers who skip a box, misstate the relief requested, or miss the verification block often receive a clerk rejection or a judicial order to amend, which can delay urgent relief by 10 to 30 days. According to the Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator’s annual statistical reference guide, Florida circuit courts process more than 700,000 family law filings each year, and clerk rejection rates for self-represented filers on specialty injunction petitions hover near 18%.
- 📝 How to complete every numbered paragraph and checkbox on Form P-3.1700 without triggering a clerk rejection.
- ⚖️ How Florida Family Law Rule 12.610 and Chapter 61, Florida Statutes shape what relief a judge can grant.
- 📂 What documents to gather before you open the PDF, including case numbers, prior orders, and sworn financial affidavits.
- 🖥️ How to file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, by mail, or in person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes pro se filers make on P-3.1700 and the exact consequence of each.
What Form P-3.1700 Is and Who Must File It
Form P-3.1700 is a specific family law petition that a party already in an open Florida family law case uses to ask the assigned circuit judge for a targeted injunction inside that pending case. It is not the standalone domestic violence injunction (that is Form 12.980(a)) and it is not a civil restraining order. It sits inside an existing dissolution, paternity, or post-judgment matter and asks the judge to order the other party to do or stop doing something tied to the case.
Any party to an open family law case can file P-3.1700, including the petitioner, the respondent, or a counter-petitioner. Attorneys filing on behalf of a client must include their Florida Bar number and e-service address under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516. Self-represented litigants may file on their own behalf but must still meet every formatting and verification rule that lawyers follow.
The petition exists because Florida circuit judges need a clean, sworn, written request before they can issue a binding order against a party. Without a properly completed P-3.1700, a judge has no jurisdictional record to enter the injunction, and any oral request at a hearing will usually be denied with leave to file the written form. The statutory backbone for these injunctions sits in Section 61.13, Florida Statutes and the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure.
The form is required when a party seeks any of the following: an order freezing a marital bank account, an order preventing the sale of a marital home, an order requiring the return of children to Florida, an order compelling discovery, or an order enforcing an existing parenting plan. Courts also accept P-3.1700 for less common asks, such as preventing a party from canceling health insurance during a divorce.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filing P-3.1700 without the right paperwork on hand almost always leads to a stop-and-restart cycle that wastes days. Florida circuit clerks reject petitions that are missing the case number, signature, or notary block on first review, and the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also kicks back filings that fail to attach the required exhibits. Gather everything below before you open the PDF.
- Your case number. This is the docket number assigned when the underlying case was opened (for example, 2024-DR-001234); without it the clerk cannot route the petition to the assigned judge, and the filing will sit in a “no case” queue.
- The county and judicial circuit. Florida has 20 judicial circuits, and the petition must be filed in the same circuit as the underlying case; filing in the wrong county forces a transfer motion under Rule 1.060.
- Names of all parties exactly as they appear on the original petition. A name mismatch (for example, Maria S. Lopez on the original petition versus Maria Lopez on P-3.1700) can trigger a clerk reject for “party name discrepancy.”
- Current addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of every party. Email is now mandatory for designated e-service under Rule 2.516, and a missing address blocks service entirely.
- A copy of any prior order in the case. If you are asking the judge to enforce or modify an existing order, attach it as Exhibit A so the judge sees the language being enforced.
- A sworn Family Law Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or (c)). Required when the injunction touches money, support, or property under Rule 12.285.
- Documentary evidence supporting your request. Bank statements, text messages, photographs, school records, or medical bills tied to the relief you are seeking.
- A government-issued photo ID. The notary or deputy clerk who verifies your signature will require it.
- Filing fee or fee waiver application (Form 1.984). Most counties charge a $401 family law filing fee, but supplemental petitions inside an open case often do not require a new fee; confirm with your local Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- A working e-Portal account. Self-represented litigants register free at the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal using a valid email and a created password.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, judge-accepted version of P-3.1700 lives only on the Florida Courts forms portal maintained by the Office of the State Courts Administrator. Third-party legal sites sometimes post outdated revisions, and judges will reject any version that does not match the current revision footer. Always download a fresh copy each time you file because the Florida Supreme Court amends family law forms several times per year through administrative orders.
The form is a fillable PDF that opens in Adobe Acrobat Reader, modern Chrome, or Microsoft Edge. Save it locally before typing because some browsers wipe entered text on refresh. After you finish typing, print to PDF to flatten the answers so they cannot be edited after notarization.
If you do not have a printer or computer, every Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court office keeps paper copies at the family law self-help desk. Many circuits also operate dedicated Family Court Self-Help Centers where staff can hand you the form, although staff cannot give legal advice.
For accessibility, the Florida Courts ADA page lists alternative formats, and large-print or screen-reader-compatible versions are available on request through the local clerk.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form P-3.1700 Line by Line
The form follows a consistent structure: caption block, numbered factual paragraphs, prayer for relief, signature and verification, and certificate of service. Work top to bottom and never skip a numbered paragraph; if a paragraph does not apply, write N/A rather than leaving it blank because blank fields read as “incomplete” to the clerk’s intake software.
Caption: Court, County, and Case Number
This top-of-page block tells the clerk which circuit court receives the petition and which case file to drop it into. You must enter the judicial circuit number, the county name, the division (usually “Family”), and the existing case number exactly as printed on prior orders.
To answer it, type the circuit number in Roman or Arabic numerals as printed on the existing case (for example, In the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, in and for Broward County, Florida), set the division to Family, and copy the case number character-for-character from your most recent order.
A specific example: Maria Lopez opens her dissolution order, sees Case No. 2024-DR-005678 (FC), and types that string verbatim into the case number field.
A common nuance is the division code suffix. Some counties append codes like (FC), (FE), or (FR) to identify family civil, family enforcement, or family relocation tracks; copy the suffix exactly because the clerk routes by division code.
A common mistake is dropping the leading zeros (24-DR-5678 instead of 2024-DR-005678), which causes the e-Portal to flag the petition as a new case and assess a duplicate filing fee.
A misconception is that the caption can use the abbreviated case style from a recent letter or email; only the case number and party names from the original or most recent court order control.
Paragraph 1: Petitioner’s Name and Standing
This paragraph identifies who is filing and confirms they are a party to the open case with legal standing to ask for the injunction. Standing matters because non-parties cannot use this form and must instead intervene under Rule 12.230.
Type your full legal name, your role in the case (Petitioner, Respondent, or Counter-Petitioner), and a short statement of standing such as Petitioner is the wife in the above-styled dissolution of marriage action and has standing to seek the requested relief.
A specific example: Carlos Rivera writes Carlos Rivera, Respondent and father of the minor children in the above-styled paternity action, files this Petition for Specific Family Law Injunction.
A nuance arises when a guardian ad litem files; the GAL must cite the order of appointment by date and docket number in this paragraph or the judge will demand proof of authority.
A common mistake is using a nickname or married-name variant that does not match the case caption, which causes the clerk to reject the filing for a party-name mismatch.
A misconception is that adding “pro se” after the name is required; Florida does not require the label, although it is helpful for the judge.
Paragraph 2: Respondent’s Name and Service Information
Identify the party who must comply with the injunction and provide the address and email where they will be served. Service drives every deadline in the case, so wrong information here delays the entire injunction.
Enter the respondent’s full legal name, current physical address, and primary email address designated under Rule 2.516. If the respondent is represented, list the lawyer’s name, Florida Bar number, and e-service email instead.
A specific example: Janet Pierce writes Respondent David Pierce resides at 412 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, and is served at dpierce@email.com per his prior designation.
A nuance: if the respondent has moved and you do not know the new address, attach an Affidavit of Diligent Search (Form 12.913(b)) and ask for service by publication.
A common mistake is using an old email address that the respondent no longer monitors, which can later be argued as defective service and unwind the injunction.
A misconception is that texting the petition to the respondent counts as service; Florida requires formal service through the e-Portal or the sheriff for first-time service of process under Rule 1.070.
Paragraph 3: Jurisdiction and Venue
This paragraph confirms that the circuit court has subject-matter jurisdiction and that venue is proper in the county where you are filing. Without these statements, the petition fails on its face.
Write that the court has jurisdiction under Section 61.021, Florida Statutes (or the relevant Chapter 742 paternity provision), and that venue is proper because the underlying case is pending in this county.
A specific example: Aisha Brown writes This Court has continuing jurisdiction under Section 61.13(2)(c), Florida Statutes, and venue is proper in Orange County because the dissolution action is pending here.
A nuance is the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act; if the children have been in another state for more than six months, you must address UCCJEA jurisdiction or the judge will hold a special hearing.
A common mistake is leaving this paragraph blank because “the case is already here,” but a judge needs the jurisdictional finding on the record to enter the injunction.
A misconception is that federal jurisdiction can be invoked for support enforcement; family injunctions are state-court matters except in narrow Hague Convention child abduction cases.
Paragraph 4: Factual Background
Lay out, in numbered subparagraphs, the facts that justify the requested injunction. Judges read this section first to decide whether the petition states a claim, so it must be specific, dated, and supported.
Write short, dated, factual sentences in chronological order; avoid argument, name-calling, or legal conclusions. Each fact should be one numbered subparagraph (4(a), 4(b), 4(c), and so on).
A specific example: Marcus Hill writes 4(a). On January 12, 2026, Respondent withdrew $48,000 from the parties’ joint Wells Fargo account ending in 3321 without notice or consent.
A nuance is the use of exhibits; reference each exhibit inline (for example, see Exhibit B, account statement dated January 31, 2026) so the judge can match facts to documents.
A common mistake is writing emotional narrative (“he was cruel and selfish”) instead of dated facts; judges discount or strike emotional language and may sanction repeated violations.
A misconception is that hearsay must be excluded from the petition; pleadings may include hearsay, but you will need admissible evidence at the hearing under the Florida Evidence Code.
Paragraph 5: Specific Relief Requested
State exactly what you want the judge to order. Vague requests like “make him stop” produce vague orders that are unenforceable through contempt.
Use action verbs and target each request to a specific person, account, or behavior. Number each request (5(a), 5(b), 5(c)) so the judge can grant some and deny others.
A specific example: Janet Pierce writes 5(a). Enjoin Respondent from withdrawing, transferring, or encumbering funds in Bank of America account ending 7788 pending further order. 5(b). Order Respondent to return the parties’ 2022 Toyota Highlander, VIN 5TDGZRBH3NS123456, to the marital home within 48 hours.
A nuance is the inclusion of a “catch-all” request for “such further relief as the Court deems just”; include it, but never rely on it as your primary ask.
A common mistake is requesting relief the court cannot grant, such as ordering a non-party bank to do something; injunctions bind parties, and banks must be served separately under Section 655.0322.
A misconception is that you can ask for attorney’s fees inside this paragraph; fees are governed by Section 61.16 and require a separate motion.
Paragraph 6: Verification Block
The verification is the sworn statement that everything in the petition is true. A judge cannot enter an ex parte injunction without a properly sworn verification.
Sign in front of a notary public or a deputy clerk, who will check ID and complete the jurat. Use the language printed on the form: Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing and that the facts stated in it are true.
A specific example: Aisha Brown signs Aisha N. Brown on the signature line, prints her name beneath, dates it February 14, 2026, and the notary completes the seal and commission expiration.
A nuance is online notarization; Florida permits remote online notarization (RON) under Section 117.201, and the e-Portal accepts RON-signed PDFs.
A common mistake is signing before the notary watches; an unwitnessed signature voids the verification, and the judge will deny ex parte relief.
A misconception is that a self-affirmation (“I swear this is true”) replaces a notary; Florida requires a notary or deputy clerk for sworn family law petitions.
Paragraph 7: Certificate of Service
This certifies that you served the petition on the other party (or their lawyer) the same day you filed it. The certificate triggers the response deadline.
List every recipient, the email or address used, and the method (e-service through the E-Filing Portal, U.S. mail, or hand delivery), then sign and date.
A specific example: Carlos Rivera writes I HEREBY CERTIFY that on March 3, 2026, a true copy of the foregoing was served via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on opposing counsel Lisa Tran, Esq., FBN 0123456, ltran@firm.com.
A nuance applies when the respondent is unrepresented and has not designated email; serve by U.S. mail to the last known address and note that on the certificate.
A common mistake is dating the certificate before the actual service date, which creates a sworn falsehood and exposes the filer to sanctions under Rule 11 analogues in Rule 12.285.
A misconception is that filing equals service; the e-Portal does not automatically serve unrepresented parties, so you must mail or hand-deliver to them yourself.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Three named filers walk through P-3.1700 from caption to certificate of service. Each scenario assumes an open family law case in a different Florida circuit and a different relief request.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez Freezes a Marital Account (Broward County)
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Family Division, Case No. 2024-DR-005678 (FC) |
| Paragraph 1 (Petitioner) | Maria S. Lopez, Petitioner/Wife |
| Paragraph 2 (Respondent) | Robert Lopez, 1422 NE 8th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, rlopez@email.com |
| Paragraph 3 (Jurisdiction) | Continuing jurisdiction under § 61.13, Fla. Stat.; venue proper in Broward County |
| Paragraph 4 (Facts) | 4(a) On 1/8/2026 Respondent transferred $62,000 from Chase joint account 4455 to a personal account. |
| Paragraph 5 (Relief) | 5(a) Freeze Chase account 4455; 5(b) order accounting within 10 days; 5(c) prohibit further transfers. |
| Paragraph 6 (Verification) | Signed Maria S. Lopez before notary on 1/14/2026 |
| Paragraph 7 (Certificate) | E-served on opposing counsel via E-Portal on 1/14/2026 |
Scenario 2: Carlos Rivera Enforces a Parenting Plan (Hillsborough County)
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County, Family Division, Case No. 2022-DR-009912 (FE) |
| Paragraph 1 (Petitioner) | Carlos Rivera, Father/Respondent in original paternity action |
| Paragraph 2 (Respondent) | Elena Cruz, 7710 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33611, ecruz@email.com |
| Paragraph 3 (Jurisdiction) | Court has continuing UCCJEA jurisdiction; children have lived in Florida 5 years |
| Paragraph 4 (Facts) | 4(a) Mother withheld timesharing on 2/15/2026 and 2/22/2026 in violation of 2023 Parenting Plan. |
| Paragraph 5 (Relief) | 5(a) Order makeup timesharing; 5(b) enjoin further denial; 5(c) require exchange at Tampa PD substation. |
| Paragraph 6 (Verification) | Signed Carlos Rivera before deputy clerk on 2/27/2026 |
| Paragraph 7 (Certificate) | Served by e-mail and U.S. mail on 2/27/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet Pierce Prevents Sale of Marital Home (Orange County)
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, Family Division, Case No. 2025-DR-001045 (FC) |
| Paragraph 1 (Petitioner) | Janet K. Pierce, Petitioner/Wife in pending dissolution |
| Paragraph 2 (Respondent) | David Pierce, 412 Magnolia Dr., Orlando, FL 32801, dpierce@email.com |
| Paragraph 3 (Jurisdiction) | § 61.021 jurisdiction; venue proper because dissolution pending in Orange County |
| Paragraph 4 (Facts) | 4(a) Respondent listed marital home for sale on 3/1/2026 without consent (Exhibit A: MLS listing). |
| Paragraph 5 (Relief) | 5(a) Enjoin sale, transfer, or encumbrance of 412 Magnolia Dr.; 5(b) order MLS listing withdrawn. |
| Paragraph 6 (Verification) | Signed Janet K. Pierce before RON notary on 3/4/2026 |
| Paragraph 7 (Certificate) | E-served via E-Portal on opposing counsel 3/4/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Florida offers four filing channels for P-3.1700: the e-Portal (mandatory for attorneys, optional and free for self-represented filers), in-person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court, by U.S. mail, and in narrow circumstances by fax through the local clerk’s eFile fax gateway. Each channel has its own steps, fees, and proof of filing.
Online via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Log in, select Existing Case, enter the case number, choose Petition as the document type, upload the flattened PDF, designate e-service recipients under Rule 2.516, and submit. There is no fee for a supplemental petition in an open case in most counties; if a fee applies it is paid by credit card at submission. Processing usually takes 24 to 72 hours, and your proof is the e-Portal “Filing Received” email plus the docket stamp that appears on the case docket.
In person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Bring the original signed and notarized petition, two copies, your photo ID, and any fee in cash, check, money order, or credit card (most clerks charge a 3.5% card surcharge). The deputy clerk file-stamps your copy and hands it back as proof of filing. Same-day docketing is standard.
By U.S. mail. Send the original petition, a self-addressed stamped envelope, two copies, and a check payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have a tracking number. Processing adds 5 to 10 business days, and your proof is the returned, file-stamped copy.
By fax (limited counties only). A handful of clerks (such as Miami-Dade and Duval) maintain an eFile fax gateway. Confirm the number on the local Clerk of Court directory, send the cover sheet plus petition, and retain the fax confirmation page as proof of filing.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk dockets P-3.1700, the case file goes to the assigned family division judge for review. If you asked for an ex parte temporary injunction (relief without notice), the judge typically rules within 1 to 5 business days based on the verified petition alone. If the judge grants temporary relief, the order is entered on the docket and served on the respondent, who then has the right to request a dissolution-of-injunction hearing under Rule 12.610.
If you did not ask for ex parte relief, the court sets a noticed hearing, usually within 14 to 45 days depending on the circuit’s docket congestion. Both parties receive a Notice of Hearing through the e-Portal or by mail, and you must appear with your evidence and witnesses or risk denial.
The respondent has 20 days from service to file a written response under Rule 1.140, as adopted into family law by Rule 12.140. Failure to respond can result in a default, but family law defaults are disfavored on issues involving children, so judges often hold an evidentiary hearing anyway.
After the hearing, the judge enters a written order that becomes immediately enforceable through contempt. Violations can lead to fines, attorney’s fee awards, or jail time under Section 61.16 and the court’s inherent contempt power.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Field-level errors are the leading cause of clerk rejection and judicial denial. Each mistake below has a direct, named consequence so filers know exactly what is at stake.
- Wrong case number. The petition is treated as a new case, a duplicate fee is charged, and the judge never sees it.
- Mismatched party names. Clerk rejects the filing for “party caption mismatch” and the urgent relief is delayed.
- Blank numbered paragraphs. Intake software flags the petition as incomplete and routes it to a deficiency queue.
- Missing notarization. The judge cannot enter ex parte relief on an unverified petition and denies temporary orders.
- Vague relief request. Even a granted order is unenforceable through contempt because it lacks specifics.
- Outdated form revision. The clerk rejects the petition for using a superseded version no longer approved by the Florida Supreme Court.
- Service to a stale email. The respondent argues defective service, the injunction is dissolved, and the filer pays opposing fees.
- Filing in the wrong county. Venue transfer motion adds 30 to 60 days to the case.
- Skipping the certificate of service. Response deadlines never start running, and contempt becomes hard to prove.
- Asking for relief outside Chapter 61. The judge denies the request for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.
- Attaching unauthenticated exhibits. The judge gives the exhibits no weight at the hearing.
- Mixing argument with facts in paragraph 4. The judge strikes the offending sentences and warns the filer.
Do’s and Don’ts
A short list of habits that separate clean P-3.1700 filings from rejected ones, with the why behind each.
Do’s
- Do download a fresh copy of the form from the Florida Courts site every time, because the Supreme Court updates forms multiple times a year.
- Do use the exact case number and party names from the most recent order, because intake software matches character-by-character.
- Do number facts chronologically with dates and dollar amounts, because specific facts win injunctions.
- Do designate a monitored email for e-service, because missed e-service emails cost real deadlines.
- Do sign in front of a notary or deputy clerk, because Florida requires it for sworn family petitions under Section 117.05.
- Do keep a file-stamped copy of the petition, because it is your only proof of filing in a contempt fight.
- Do attach a financial affidavit when money is at issue, because Rule 12.285 makes it mandatory.
Don’ts
- Don’t copy and paste from another case, because stray references to other parties confuse the judge.
- Don’t use emotional language, because judges discount or strike it and may sanction repeat offenders.
- Don’t sign before the notary watches, because an unwitnessed signature voids the verification.
- Don’t rely on text messages as service, because Rule 2.516 requires email or formal service.
- Don’t ask for relief against non-parties, because injunctions only bind named parties.
- Don’t leave the certificate of service blank, because deadlines never run without it.
- Don’t submit the form in landscape or with re-ordered pages, because the clerk’s OCR fails on non-standard layouts.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Self-represented filers save money but trade speed and certainty. Filers using a Florida Bar-licensed family lawyer pay fees but gain procedural safety, especially when ex parte relief is sought.
Pros of filing pro se
- Saves $1,500 to $5,000 in attorney fees for a single petition.
- Lets the filer move on the same day a problem arises, without waiting for a lawyer’s calendar.
- Builds direct familiarity with the case docket and the judge’s preferences.
- Eligible for free help at Family Court Self-Help Centers.
- Florida Bar runs a Lawyer Referral Service for narrow paid-advice sessions when needed.
- Many counties accept fee waivers via Form 1.984 for low-income filers.
Cons of filing pro se
- Higher rejection rate at the clerk’s intake desk.
- Risk of waiving rights by misstating relief or missing deadlines.
- No protection against opposing counsel’s procedural traps.
- Difficulty enforcing the resulting order through contempt without a lawyer.
- Emotional toll of self-representing in a contested family case.
- Limited ability to recover attorney’s fees later because none were incurred.
P-3.1700 vs. Domestic Violence Injunction (Form 12.980(a))
| Feature | Form P-3.1700 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Specific injunction inside an open family case under Rule 12.610 |
| Filing fee | Usually none in supplemental posture |
| Hearing window | 14–45 days, faster on ex parte |
| Service | Through E-Portal or sheriff |
| Enforcement | Civil contempt under § 61.16 |
FAQs
Do I need a lawyer to file Form P-3.1700?
No. Florida allows self-represented filers to complete and file P-3.1700, but a lawyer reduces the rejection risk on ex parte injunctions and complex financial relief.
Is there a filing fee for P-3.1700?
No. Most Florida circuit clerks do not charge a fee for a supplemental petition inside an open family case, but confirm with your local Clerk of Court.
Can I file P-3.1700 if my case is closed?
No. A closed case must first be reopened by motion before P-3.1700 can attach to it; otherwise the clerk rejects it as a non-existent docket.
Do I have to notarize the petition?
Yes. Florida requires a notary public, deputy clerk, or remote online notary to verify the signature before a judge will issue ex parte relief.
What goes in Paragraph 4 if I have no documents yet?
Yes. You can still file by writing dated, factual statements based on personal knowledge in Paragraph 4 and noting that exhibits will follow at the hearing.
Should I write “N/A” or leave a paragraph blank?
Yes. Always write N/A in any paragraph that does not apply, because the clerk’s intake system flags blanks as incomplete fields.
Can I e-file P-3.1700 myself as a pro se filer?
Yes. Self-represented filers can register free at the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and file P-3.1700 the same way attorneys do.
Do I list the children’s names and birthdates in Paragraph 2?
No. Paragraph 2 lists only the respondent; minor children’s information goes in Paragraph 4 facts and on the UCCJEA Affidavit.
Can the judge grant relief the same day I file?
Yes. Ex parte temporary injunctions can issue within 1–5 business days when the verified petition shows immediate, irreparable harm.
Do I need to attach a financial affidavit?
Yes. Rule 12.285 requires a sworn financial affidavit whenever the requested injunction touches money, support, or property.
What if I made a typo and already filed?
Yes. File an Amended Petition labeled Amended in the caption; the amended version supersedes the original under Rule 1.190.
Do I serve the respondent myself?
No. Use the E-Filing Portal for represented parties or U.S. mail for unrepresented parties; never hand the petition to the respondent in a hostile setting.
Can I ask for attorney’s fees inside P-3.1700?
No. Attorney’s fees require a separate motion under Section 61.16, although you can reserve the right inside the petition.
What if the respondent ignores the order?
Yes. File a Motion for Civil Contempt; the judge can impose fines, attorney’s fees, or jail time to coerce compliance.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.903(c)(1) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.948 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.960 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 9.900(d) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.984 (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