Florida

Family Law

Family Law

Rule 12.080 – SERVICE OF PLEADINGS AND FILING OF DOCUMENTS

(a)Service.

(1)Family Law Actions Generally. Every pleading subsequent to the initial pleading and every other document filed or required by statute or rule to be served must be served in conformity with the requirements of Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
(2)Domestic, Repeat, Dating, and Sexual Violence, and Stalking Actions. Service of pleadings and documents regarding proceedings for injunctions against domestic, repeat, dating, and sexual violence, and stalking is governed by rule 12.610, where it is in conflict with this rule.
(3)Limited Appearance. Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516 also applies to service on the party during the attorney’s limited appearance as provided in rule 12.040(f) and must be expanded as set forth in subdivisions (b) and (c) to include additional requirements for service of recommended orders and for service on defaulted parties.
(b) Service and Preparation of Orders and Judgments. A copy of all orders or judgments involving family law matters , except proceedings for injunctions for protection against domestic, repeat, dating, and sexual violence, and stalking , must be transmitted by the court or under its direction to all parties at the time of entry of the order or judgment. The court may require that recommended orders, orders, or judgments be prepared by a party. If the court requires that a party prepare the recommended order, order, or judgment, the party must furnish the court with stamped, addressed envelopes to all parties for service of the recommended order, order, or judgment. The court may also require that any proposed recommended order, order, or judgment that is prepared by a party be furnished to all parties no less than 24 hours before submission to the court of the recommended order, order, or judgment.
(c)Defaulted Parties. No service need be made on parties against whom a default has been entered, except that:

(1) Pleadings asserting new or additional claims against defaulted parties must be served in the manner provided for service of summons contained in rule 12.070.
(2) Notice of final hearings or trials and court orders must be served on defaulted parties in the manner provided for service of pleadings and documents contained in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516.
(3) Final judgments must be served on defaulted parties as set forth in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516(h).

FL. Fam. Law. R. P. 12.080

Amended by 2021 WL 1310552, effective 4/8/2021; amended by 214 So.3d 400, effective 3/16/2017; amended by 102 So.3d 505, effective 10/1/2013; amended by 102 So.3d 451, effective 4/1/2013; amended by 95 So.3d 126, effective 10/1/2012; amended by 102 So.3d 505, effective 9/1/2012; amended by 905 So.2d 865, effective 6/2/2005; amended by 723 So.2d 208, effective 2/1/1999; amended by 713 So.2d 1, effective 3/1/1998.

Commentary.

1995 Adoption. This rule provides that the procedure for service shall be as set forth in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.080 with the following exceptions or additions to that rule. First, subdivision (b) corresponds to and replaces subdivision (h)(1) of rule 1.080 and expands the rule to include recommended orders. Second, this rule expands items that must be served on defaulted parties to ensure that defaulted parties are at least minimally advised of the progress of the proceedings. This rule is not intended to require the furnishing of a proposed recommended order, proposed order, or proposed final judgment to a defaulted party.

Committee Notes.

2012 Amendment. Subdivision (a)(1) is amended to provide for service on the party during the attorney’s limited appearance. Subdivision[s] (a)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) are amended to provide for service in accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516.