In re FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE, 663 So. 2d 1049

OVERTON, Justice. On July 7, 1995, this Court adopted new family law rules in accordance with our prior determination to have separate rules for family law cases. See In re Family Law R.P., 663 So.2d 1047 (Fla.1995). After we issued the new rules, we published them in The Florida Bar News for further comment. Additionally, we asked the Family Law Rules Committee to review the rules for comment in view of the substantial modifications this Court made to the rules as proposed. The comments of the committee and others are now before this Court for review. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.

After having reviewed the comments, we hereby modify the rules as set forth in the attached appendices. The changes include a number of technical modifications and some substantive modifications. General and Special Masters A majority of the comments received concern the rules governing general and special masters. These comments request that we address the restrictions the rules place on the authority of masters.

Specifically, this Court has been asked to modify the rules to: (1) eliminate the provision that prohibits general and special masters from hearing civil contempt proceedings; and (2) eliminate the requirement of Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.490 that a general master must take the evidence in writing and must file that writing with the master’s report and instead allow general masters to take testimony and establish a record electronically.

After consideration, we grant the first request and have modified Florida Family Law Rules 12.490 and 12.492 as set forth in attached Appendix B to eliminate the provision prohibiting general and special masters from hearing contempt proceedings. In granting this request, we note that, under the rules governing masters, no matter shall be heard by a general master without the consent of all parties. See Fla.Fam.L.R. 12.490(b)(1). We also grant the second request as limited herein because we find that its implementation, with certain modifications, will expedite the family law litigation process and reduce costs.

In the second request we are urged to find that allowing the use of an electronic record in lieu of requiring a master to take the evidence in writing is permissible under our constitution. The reason Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.490 and now rule 12.490 require the written recording of documentary evidence by a master is to ensure that the party taking exceptions to the master’s report has an adequate and fair opportunity for review and to ensure that a master’s report is not contrary to the evidence or to the law. Knupp v. Knupp, 625 So.2d 865 (Fla. 3d DCA 1993); Petrakis v.

Petrakis, 597 So.2d 856 (Fla. 3d DCA 1992). In other words, some type of record must be created to protect a litigant’s right to ultimate review by a judge. We find that electronically recording the master’s proceeding and preserving that recording for future access sufficiently protects a litigant’s rights by providing the ability to have the electronic record transcribed to establish an appropriate record for review if exceptions are filed. In reaching this decision, we emphasize that we are in no way implying that judges may merely “rubber-stamp” the recommendations of masters.

An adequate method of judicial review of the recommendations is still required given the limited judicial authority that may be vested in masters. According to comments received by this Court, however, confusion apparently exists as to the appropriate requirements for review given our holding in Lyon v. Lyon, 54 So.2d 679, 680 (Fla.1951), in which we stated: We do not construe the ... rule to mean that, in the absence of exceptions, the entry of final decree by the court in accordance with the findings and recommendations of the Master becomes a mere formality.

Whether exceptions are filed to the report of the Master or not, it is the duty of the court to examine and carefully consider the evidence and determine whether under the law and the facts the court is justified in entering the decree recommended by the Master. We find that, provided a judge carefully considers (1) whether the evidence and facts, as fully set forth in a master’s report, support the recommendations of the master and (2) whether the recommendations are justified under the law, then the review, absent exceptions, is adequate and satisfies the spirit of Lyon.

Notwithstanding this finding, we emphasize that a judge must review the entire record if exceptions are filed. We have modified rule 12.490 accordingly. Other Changes In response to other remarks, we have made a number of technical and stylistic changes throughout the rules, forms, and appendices. We have also made the following substantive changes to the rules pursuant to the recommendations of the committee or others who submitted comments:

(1) In rule 12.010, moved definition of family law matters from commentary into body of rule.

(2) Deleted the requirement in rule 12.105 that simplified dissolutions must comply with requirements of rule 12.285.

(3) Added the following to the comment to rule 12.110: “Rule 1.110(

h) is to be interpreted to require service of process on a supplemental petition as set forth in Florida Family Law Rule of - Procedure 12.070.”

(4) Added rule 12.190 (amended and supplemental pleadings shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.190).

(5) Deleted “allegations of domestic violence” from rule 12.200(9), (10), and (11) in master and mediation referrals and inserted instead “significant history that would compromise the process”; and added to rule 12.200(11) the words “consistent with Florida law” to reflect that arbitration would be coordinated consistent with Florida law.

(6) Altered rule 12.285(b)(1)(

A) to add “unless the documents have been served under subdivision (b)(2) of this rule.” A similar change was made to rule 12.285(b)(1)(B).

(7) Changed the term “deliver” as set forth throughout rule 12.285 to “serve” and changed the 20-day time period in rule 12.285(b)(1)(

B) as follows to make the rule consistent with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.085(d)(1)(

C) and other rules regarding service: The responding party shall serve the required documents on the party seeking relief on or before 5:00 p.m., 2 business days before the day of the temporary financial hearing if served by delivery or 7 days before the day of the temporary financial hearing if served by mail, unless the documents have been received previously by the party seeking relief under subdivision (b)(2) of this rule. A responding party shall be given no less than 12 days to serve the documents required under this rule, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

If the 45-day period for exchange of documents provided for in subdivision (b)(2) of this rule will occur before the expiration of the 12 days, the provisions of subdivision (b)(2) control.

(8) Added adoptions to proceedings exempted from disclosure under rule 12.285(a)(1), and clarified that rule 12.285(

c) applies to parties whose annual income and expenses are less than $50,000 and that rule 12.285(

d) applies to parties whose annual income or expenses are equal to or more than $50,000.

(9) Added rule 12.407 (Testimony and Attendance of Minor Child. No minor child shall be deposed or brought to a deposition, brought to court to appear as a witness or to attend a hearing, or subpoenaed to appear at a hearing without prior order of the court based on good cause shown unless in an emergency situation.).

(10) Amended rule 12.470 to include exceptions to general masters’ reports.

(11) Renumbered rules 12.491 and 12.492 as requested by the committee.

(12) Added the following comment to rule 12.491: “It is intended that any administrative order issued by the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court under rule 1.491(

a) shall remain in full force and effect as though such order was rendered under this rule until changed by order of that same court.”

(18) Amended rule 12.491(

e) to clarify that hearing officers are not to conduct contested paternity proceedings. (14)Amended rule 12.610 to: (

a) require that service of papers on the respondent include a copy of the temporary injunction if one has been entered; (

b) state that assistance shall be given as required by law and to provide for the confidential filing of a petitioner’s address when required for safety reasons; (c)reflect in the commentary that the limitation on the taking of testimony raises due process concerns and, as such, that the limits on the taking of testimony have been made permissive rather than mandatory under the rule even though the statute requires that the testimony be limited.

(15) Amended rules 12.740 and 12.741 to reflect changes to those mediation rules as recommended by the mediation committee.

(16) Renumbered, reorganized, and updated the forms that accompany the rules. Future Changes to the Rules Regarding future modifications to the family law rules, we issue the following directives. The Family Law Rules Committee shall have continuing responsibility for review of the family law rules, including all forms and appendices. We also ask the Family Courts Steering Committee to review these rules, forms, and appendices and to make recommendations to this Court, with particular emphasis on revisions to further simplify the family law process for the many pro se litigants in family law cases.

Finally, consistent with this Court’s directives regarding mediation and arbitration rules in other areas, we direct that the Supreme Court Mediation and Arbitration Rules Committee shall have continuing responsibility for review of rules 12.740 and 12.741 governing family law mediation. This Court acknowledges that, because these rules are new, additional changes to the rules may need to be implemented outside of the four-year rule revision cycle set forth in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.130.

Consequently, we hereby grant to these committees a one-year extension beyond the time requirements of rule 2.130 for filing proposed revisions to the rules, forms, and appendices. Accordingly, we reaffirm our adoption, effective January 1, 1996, of the amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure (attached to this opinion as appendix

A) and the new Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure (attached to this opinion as appendix B), as provided in In re Family Law Rules of Procedure, 663 So.2d 1047 (Fla.1995), and as modified herein. The comments to the rules are included for explanation and guidance only and are not adopted as an official part of the rules. It is so ordered. GRIMES, C.J., and SHAW, KOGAN, HARDING, WELLS and ANSTEAD, JJ., concur. APPENDIX A AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure are hereby amended as follows (additions are underlined; deletions are struck-through): RULE 1.010.

SCOPE AND TITLE OF RULES These rules apply to all actions of a civil nature and all special statutory proceedings in the circuit courts and county courts except those to which the Florida Probate Rules, the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, or the Small Claims Rules apply. The form, content, procedure, and time for pleading in all special statutory proceedings shall be as prescribed by the statutes governing the proceeding unless these rules specifically provide to the contrary. These rules shall be construed to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action.

These rules shall be known as the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and abbreviated as Fla. R. Civ. P. RULE 1.360. EXAMINATION OF PERSONS (

a) Request; Scope.

(1) A party may request any other party to submit to, or to produce a person in that other party’s custody or legal control for, examination by a qualified expert when the condition that is the subject of the requested examination is in controversy. (

A) When the physical condition of a party or other person under subdivision (a)(1) is in controversy, the request may be served on the plaintiff without leave of court after commencement of the action, and on any other person with or after service of the process and initial pleading on that party. The request shall specify a reasonable time, place, manner, conditions, and scope of the examination and the person or persons by whom the examination is to be made.

The party to whom the request is directed shall serve a response within 30 days after service of the request, except that a defendant need not serve a response until 45 days after service of the process and initial pleading on that defendant. The court may allow a shorter or longer time. The response shall state that the examination will be permitted as requested unless the request is objected to, in which event the reasons for the objection shall be stated. (

B) In cases where the condition in controversy is not physical, including-domestic relations and bastardy cases when the blood group is in issue, a party may move for an examination by a qualified expert as in subdivision (a)(1). The order for examination shall be made only after notice to the person to be examined and to all parties, and shall specify the time, place, manner, conditions, and scope of the examination and the person or persons by whom it is to be made.

(2) An examination under this rule is authorized only when the party submitting the request has good cause for the examination. At any hearing the party submitting the request shall have the burden of showing good cause.

(3) Upon request of either the party requesting the examination or the party or person to be examined, the court may establish protective, rules governing such examination. (

b) Report of Examiner.

(1) If requested by the party to whom a request for examination or against whom an order is made under subdivision (a)(1)(

A) or (a)(1)(

B) or by the person examined, the party requesting the examination to be made shall deliver to the other party a copy of a detailed written report of the examiner setting out the examiner’s findings, including results of all tests made, diagnosis, and conclusions, with similar reports of all earlier examinations of the same condition.

After delivery of the detailed written report, the party requesting the examination to be made shall be entitled upon request to receive from the party to whom the request for examination or against whom the order is made a similar report of any examination of the same condition previously or thereafter made, unless in the case of a report of examination of a person not a party the party shows the inability to obtain it.

On motion, the court may order delivery of a report on such terms as are just; and if an examiner fails or refuses to make a report, the court may exclude the examiner’s testimony if offered at the trial.

(2) By requesting and obtaining a report of the examination so ordered or requested or by taking the deposition of the examiner, the party examined waives any privilege that party may have in that action or any other involving the same controversy regarding the testimony of every other person who has examined or may thereafter examine that party concerning the same condition.

(3) This subdivision applies to examinations made by agreement of the parties unless the agreement provides otherwise. This subdivision does not preclude discovery of a report of an examiner or taking the deposition of the examiner in accordance with any other rule. (

c) Examiner as Witness. The examiner may be called as a witness by any party to the action, but shall not be identified as appointed by the court. RULE 1.491. CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT is deleted in its entirety (See new Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 1.492). RULE 1.540. RELIEF FROM JUDGMENT, DECREES, OR ORDERS (

a) Clerical Mistakes. Clerical mistakes in judgments, decrees, or other parts of the record and errors therein arising from oversight or omission may be corrected by the court at any time on its own initiative or on the motion of any party and after such notice, if any, as the court orders. During the pendency of an appeal such mistakes may be so corrected before the record on appeal is docketed in the appellate court, and thereafter while the appeal is pending may be so corrected with leave of the appellate court. (

b) Mistakes; Inadvertence; Excusable Neglect; Newly Discovered Evidence; Fraud; etc.

On motion and upon such terms as are just, the court may relieve a party or a party’s legal representative from a final judgment, decree, order, or proceeding for the following reasons: (1) mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect; (2) newly discovered evidence which by due diligence could not have been discovered in time to move for a new trial or rehearing; (3) fraud (whether heretofore denominated intrinsic or extrinsic), misrepresentation, or other misconduct of an adverse party; (4) that the judgment or decree is void; or (5) that the judgment or decree has been satisfied, released, or discharged, or a prior judgment or decree upon which it is based has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the judgment or decree should have prospective application.

The motion shall be made within a reasonable time, and for reasons (1), (2), and (3) not more than 1 year after the judgment, decree, order, or proceeding was entered or taken^exeept-that ■there-shaU-be-no-time-Iimit-for-motions-based-on-fraudulent financial-affidavits in marital cases. A motion under this subdivision does not affect the finality of a judgment or decree or suspend its operation. This rule does not limit the power of a court to entertain an independent action to reheve a party from a judgment, decree, order, or proceeding or to set aside a judgment or decree for fraud upon the court.

Writs of coram nobis, eoram vobis, audita querela, and bills of review and bills in the nature of a bill of review are abolished, and the procedure for obtaining any relief from a judgment or decree shall be by motion as prescribed in these rules or by an independent action. RULE 1.611. MARITAL AND POST-MARITAL PROCEEDINGS is deleted in its entirety (See new Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure 12.105, 12.285, and 12.611). RULE 1.740. FAMILY MEDIATION is deleted in its entirety (See new Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 1.740). FORM 1.918.

LIS PENDENS NOTICE OF LIS PENDENS YOU ARE NOTIFIED of the institution of this action by the plaintiff against you seeking (“to foreclose a mortgage on” or “to partition” or “to quiet title to” or “a divorce and relief concerning^ or other type of action) the following property in . County, Florida: (legal description of property) FORM 1.919.

NOTICE OF ACTION; CONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE — NO PROPERTY NOTICE OF ACTION TO .: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for (“dissolution of marriage” or “construction of a will” or “re-establishment of a lost deed” or other type of action) has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on ., the plaintiffs attorney, whose address is .., on or before ., 19..., and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on the plaintiffs attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition.

NOTE: This form must be modified to name the other defendants when there are multiple defendants and all are not served under the same notice. See

section 49.08(1), Florida Statutes (1979). FORM 1.943. DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE is deleted in its entirety (See Family Law Forms). FORM 1.975. FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (DIVORCE) is deleted in its entirety (see Family Law Forms). FORM 1.982. CONTEMPT NOTICE MOTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING TO: (name of attorney for party, or party if not represented) YOU ARE NOTIFIED that plaintiff will apply to the Honorable., Circuit Judge, on ., 19 ..., at ... m., in the .

County Courthouse at ., Florida, for an order adjudging (defendant’s name) in contempt of court for violation of the terms of the order or judgment entered by this court on.,19 ..., by failing to ., and I certify that a copy hereof has been furnished to . by mail on .,19 _ NOTE: I-f-the-violation-is-of another nature, tThe particular violation must be inserted instead of failure to-pay-alimony in the motion and notice. A separate motion is unnecessary. FORM 1.995. FINAL JUDGMENT DISSOLVING MARRIAGE is deleted in its entirety (See Family Law Forms). FORM 7.

MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION — INTERROGATORIES TO PARTY is deleted in its entirety (See Family Law Forms). APPENDIX B NEW FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE RULE 12.000. PREFACE These rules consist of two separate sections.

Section I contains the procedural rules governing family law matters and their commentary.

Section II contains forms, commentary, and appendices. The commentary and appendices to the forms are included to assist litigants unrepresented by counsel and do not,- in and of themselves, constitute official rules or commentary of the Florida Supreme Court. Commentary 1995 Adoption. These rules were adopted after the Florida Supreme Court determined that separate rules for family court procedure were necessary. See In re Florida R. Fam. Ct. P., 607 So.2d 396 (Fla.1992).

The court recognized that family law cases are different from other civil matters, emphasizing that the 1993 creation of family divisions in the circuit courts underscored the differences between family law matters and other civil matters. In adopting the family law rules, the court stressed the need for simplicity due to the large number of pro se litigants (parties without counsel) in family law matters. In an effort to assist the many pro se litigants in this field, the court has included simplified forms and instructional commentary in these rules. See

Section II. The instructional commentary to the forms refers to these rules or the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, where applicable. The forms originally were adopted by the court pursuant to Family Law Rules of Procedure, — So.2d-(Fla.1995); In re Petition for Approval of Forms Pursuant to Rule 10-l.l(

b) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar — Stepparent Adoption Forms, 613 So.2d 900 (Fla.1992); Rules Regulating The Florida Bar-Approval of Forms, 581 So.2d 902 (Fla.1991).

SECTION I FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE RULE 12.005. TRANSITION RULE These rules shall apply to all family law cases effective January 1,1996. Any action taken in a family law case before January 1, 1996, that conformed to the then-effective rules or statutes governing family law cases, will be regarded as. valid during the pendency of the litigation. Commentary 1995 Adoption. This rule provides for an effective date of January 1, 1996, for these Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure.

Under this rule, any action taken in a family law matter before January 1,1996, will be regarded as valid during the pendency of the litigation so long as that action was taken in accordance with the then-effective rules or statutes governing family law cases. Any action taken after January 1,1996, in new or pending family law eases will be governed by these rules. RULE 12.010. SCOPE, PURPOSE, AND TITLE (

a) Scope.

(1) These rules apply to all actions concerning family matters, including actions concerning domestic and repeat violence, except as otherwise provided by the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure or the Florida Probate Rules. “Family matters,” “family law matters,” or “family law cases” as used within these rules include, but are not limited to, matters arising from dissolution of marriage, annulment, support unconnected with dissolution of marriage, paternity, child support, custodial care of or access to children (except as otherwise provided by the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure), adoption, proceedings for emancipation of a minor, declaratory judgment actions related to premarital, marital, or post-marital agreements (except as otherwise provided, when applicable, by the Florida Probate Rules), injunctions for domestic and repeat violence, and afl proceedings for modification, enforcement, and civil contempt of these actions.

(2) The form, content, procedure, and time for pleading in all special statutory proceedings shall be as prescribed by the statutes governing the proceeding unless these rules or the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, where applicable, specifically provide to the contrary. All actions governed by these rules also shall be governed by the Florida Evidence Code, which shall govern in cases where a conflict with these rules may occur. (

b) Purpose.

(1) These rules shall be construed to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of the procedures covered by them and shall be construed to secure simplicity in procedure and fairness in administration.

(2) Nothing shall prohibit any intake personnel in family law divisions from assisting in the preparation of papers or forms to be filed in any action under these rules. (

c) Title. These rules shall be known as the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure and abbreviated as Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 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. Commentary 1995 Adoption. To avoid confusion among members of the bar who practice in both family law and civil law areas, it is intended that as much uniformity as possible be maintained between the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure and the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

To assist in this effort, the Florida Supreme Court determined that the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure were to apply except as set forth herein. Exceptions and additions to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure are contained in Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure that are numbered to correspond to their civil rule counterparts. For example, exceptions to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.080 are contained in Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.080. 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 (

a) Family Law Actions Generally. Service of process upon the commencement of all family law actions except domestic and repeat violence shall be as set forth in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.070, except that 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. (

b) Domestic and Repeat Violence Injunctions. Service of process regarding domestic and repeat violence actions shall be governed by Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.610. RULE 12.080. SERVICE OF PLEADINGS AND PAPERS (

a) Service.

(1) Family Law Actions Generally. Service of pleadings and papers after commencement of all family law actions except domestic and repeat violence shall be as set forth in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.080, except that rule 1.080 shall 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.

(2) Domestic and Repeat Violence Actions. Service of pleadings and papers regarding domestic and repeat violence actions shall be governed by Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.610. (

b) Service and Preparation of Orders and Judgments.

(1) Family Law Actions Generally. A copy of all orders or judgments involving family law matters except domestic and repeat violence shall 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 shall furnish the court with stamped, addressed envelopes to all parties for service of the recommended order, order, or judgment.

The court also may 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.

(2) Domestic and Repeat Violence Actions. Service and preparation of orders and judgments involving domestic and repeat violence shall be governed by Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.610. (

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 shall be served in the manner provided for service of summons contained in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.070.

(2) Notice of final hearings or trials and court orders shall be served on defaulted parties in the manner provided for service of pleadings and papers contained in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.080.

(3) Final judgments shall be served on defaulted parties as set forth in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.080(h)(2). 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. RULE 12.090. TIME Time shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.090. RULE 12.100.

PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS Pleadings and motions shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.100. Commentary 1995 Adoption. This rule provides that pleadings and motions are to be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.100. The cover sheets and disposition forms described in that rule shall be the same cover sheets and disposition forms used in family law proceedings. RULE 12.105. SIMPLIFIED DISSOLUTION PROCEDURE (

a) Requirements for Use. The parties to the dissolution may file a petition for simplified dissolution if they certify under oath that (1) there are no minor or dependent children of the parties and the wife is not now pregnant; (2) the parties have made a satisfactory division of their property and have agreed as to payment of their joint obligations; and (3) the other facts set forth in Florida Family Law Form 12.901(a) (Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage) are true. (

b) Consideration by Court. The clerk shall submit the petition to the court. The court shall consider the cause expeditiously. The parties shall appear before the court in every case and, if the court so directs, testify. The court, after examination of the petition and personal appearance of the parties, shall enter a judgment granting the dissolution (Florida Family Law Form 12.990(a)) if the requirements of this rule have been established and there has been compliance with the waiting period required by statute. (

c) Financial Affidavit and Settlement Agreement. The parties must each file a financial affidavit (Family Law Form 12.901(

d) or 12.901(e)), and a marital settlement agreement (Family Law Form 12.901(h)). (

d) Final Judgment. Upon the entry of the judgment, the clerk shall furnish to each party a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution, which shall be in substantially the form provided in Family Law Form 12.990(a). (

e) Forms. The clerk or family law intake personnel shall providé forms for the parties whose circumstances meet the requirements of this rule and shall assist in the preparation of the petition for dissolution and other papers to be filed in the action. Commentary 1995 Adoption. This rule was previously contained in Florida Rule of Civfl Procedure 1.611, which included several unrelated issues. Those issues are now governed by separate family law rules for automatic disclosure, central governmental depository, and this rule for simplified dissolution procedure. Under this rule, the parties must file a financial affidavit (Family Law Form 12.901(

d) or 12.901(e)), depending on their income and expenses and a marital settlement agreement (Family Law Form 12.901(h)). RULE 12.110. GENERAL RULES OF PLEADING The general rules of pleading in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.110 shall apply to these proceedings except that proceedings to modify a final judgment in a family law matter shall be initiated only pursuant to rule 1.110(

h) and not by motion. Commentary 1995 Adoption. This rule clarifies that final judgment modifications must be initiated pursuant to a supplemental petition as set forth in rule 1.110(h), rather than through a motion. Rule 1.110(

h) is to be interpreted to require service of process on a supplemental petition as set forth in Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.070. RULE 12.120. PLEADING SPECIAL MATTERS Pleading of special matters shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.120. RULE 12.130. DOCUMENTS SUPPORTING ACTION OR DEFENSE Attachment of documents supporting an action or defense shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.130. RULE 12.140. DEFENSES Defenses shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.140. RULE 12.150.

SHAM PLEADINGS Sham pleadings shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.150. RULE 12.160. MOTIONS Motions shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.160. RULE 12.170. CROSSCLAIMS Crosselaims shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.170. RULE 12.180. THIRD-PARTY PRACTICE Third-party practice shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.180. RULE 12.190. AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTAL PLEADINGS Amended and supplemental pleadings shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.190. RULE 12.200. CASE MANAGEMENT AND PRETRIAL CONFERENCES (

a) Case Management Conference. A case management conference may be ordered by the court at any time on the court’s initiative. A party may request a ease management conference 30 days after service of a petition or complaint. At such a conference the court may:

(1) schedule or reschedule the service of motions, pleadings, and other papers; (2) set or reset the time of trials, subject to rule 12.440; (3) coordinate the progress of the action if complex litigation factors are present; (4) limit, schedule, order, or expedite discovery;

(5) schedule disclosure of expert witnesses and the discovery of facts known and opinions held by such experts;

(6) schedule or hear motions related to admission or exclusion of evidence; (7) pursue the possibilities of settlement; (8) require filing of preliminary stipulations if issues can be narrowed; (9) refer issues to a master for findings of fact, if consent is obtained as provided in rules 12.490 and 12.492 and if no significant history of domestic or repeat violence that would compromise the process is involved in the ease; (10) refer the parties to mediation if no significant history of domestic or repeat violence that would compromise the mediation process is involved in the case and consider allocation of expenses related to the referral; or refer the parties to counseling if no significant history of domestic or repeat violence that would compromise the process is involved in the case and consider allocation of expenses related to the referral; (11) coordinate voluntary binding arbitration consistent with Florida law if no significant history of domestic or repeat violence that would compromise the process is involved in the case; (12) appoint court experts and allocate the expenses for the appointments; (13) refer the cause for a home study or psychological evaluation and allocate the initial expense for that study; (14) appoint an attorney or guardian ad litem for a minor child or children if required and allocate the expense of the appointment; and

(15) schedule other conferences or determine other matters that may aid in the disposition of the action. (

b) Pretrial Conference. After the action is at issue the court itself may or shall on the timely motion of any party require the parties to appear for a conference to consider and determine: (1) proposed stipulations and the simplification of the issues; (2) the necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings; (3) the possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents that will avoid unnecessary proof; (4) the limitation of the number of expert witnesses; and (5) any matters permitted under subdivision (

a) of this rule. (

c) Notice. Reasonable notice shall be given for a case management conference, and 20 days’ notice shall be given for a pretrial conference. On failure of a party to attend a conference, the court may dismiss the action, strike the pleadings, limit proof or witnesses, or take any other appropriate action. Any documents that the court requires for any conference shall be specified in the order. Orders setting pretrial conferences shall be uniform throughout the territorial jurisdiction of the court. (

d) Case Management and Pretrial Order. The court shall make an order reciting the action taken at a conference and any stipulations made. The order shall control the subsequent course of the action unless modified to prevent injustice. Commentary. 1995 Adoption. This rule addresses issues raised by decisions such as Drains v. Drains, 627 So.2d 505 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993); Wrona v. Wrona, 592 So.2d 694 (Fla. 2d DCA 1991); and Katz v. Katz, 505 So.2d 25 (Fla. 4th DCA 1987), regarding the cost of marital litigation.

This rule provides an orderly method for the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of issues and promotes amicable resolution of disputes. This rule replaces and substantially expands Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.200 as it pertained to family law matters. Under this rule, a court may convene a case management conference at any time and a party may request a case management conference 30 days after service of a petition or complaint.

The court may consider the following additional items at the conference: motions related to admission or exclusion of evidence, referral of issues to a master if consent is obtained pursuant to the rules, referral of the parties to mediation, referral of the parties to counseling, coordination of voluntary binding arbitration, appointment of court experts, referral of the cause for a home study psychological evaluation, and appointment of an attorney or guardian ad litem for a minor child. RULE 12.210.

PARTIES Parties to an action filed under the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.210, except that rule 1.210 shall not be read to require that a child is an indispensable party for a dissolution of marriage or child custody proceeding. RULE 12.230. INTERVENTIONS Interventions shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.230. RULE 12.240. INTERPLEADER Interpleaders shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.240. RULE 12.250.

MISJOINDER AND NONJOINDER OF PARTIES Misjoinder and nonjoinder of parties shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.250. RULE 12.260. SURVIVOR; SUBSTITUTION OF PARTIES Survivors and the substitution of parties shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.260. RULE 12.270. CONSOLIDATION; SEPARATE TRIALS Consolidation or separation of trials shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.270. RULE 12.280.

GENERAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING DISCOVERY Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.280 shall govern general provisions concerning discovery in family law matters with the following exceptions: (

a) Supplementing of Responses. A party is under a duty to amend a prior response or disclosure if the party: (1) obtains information or otherwise determines that the prior response or disclosure was incorrect when made; (2) obtains information or otherwise determines that the prior response or disclosure, although correct when made, is no longer materially true or complete. (

b) Time for Filing Supplemental Responses. Any supplemental response filed pursuant to this rule shall be filed as soon as possible after discovery of the incorrect information or change, but in no case shall the supplemental response be filed later than 24 hours before any applicable hearing absent a showing of good cause. (

e) Documents Considered Confidential. A determination as to the confidentiality of a court record shall be made in accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.051. (

d) Sealing of Records. Records found to be confidential under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.051 shall be sealed on request of a party. Commentary 1995 Adoption. Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.280 is to govern the general discovery provisions in family law matters with the exceptions set forth above. Subdivision (

a) of this rule alters rule 1.280(

e) by placing a duty on parties in family law matters to supplement responses. Under rule 1.280(e), no supplemental response is required. Subdivisions (b), (c), and (

d) of this rule are in addition to the general requirements of rule 1.280 and have no counterparts in the Rules of Civil Procedure. Subdivisions (

c) and (

d) have been implemented in recognition of the fact that family law cases often involve sensitive information that should be deemed confidential under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.051. For instance, financial records filed may contain information regarding a family business, which, if public, could provide competitors with an advantage and adversely affect the family business. RULE 12.285. MANDATORY DISCLOSURE (

a) Application.

(1) Scope. This rule shall apply to all proceedings within the scope of these rules except proceedings involving adoption, simplified dissolution, enforcement, contempt, and injunctions for domestic or repeat violence. Additionally, no financial affidavit or other documents shall be required under this rule from a party seeking attorneys’ fees, suit money, or costs, if the basis for the request is solely under

section 57.105, Florida Statutes, or any successor statute. Except for the provisions as to financial affidavits, any portion of this rule may be modified by order of the court or agreement of the parties.

(2) Original and Duplicate Copies. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties or ordered by the court, copies of documents required under this rule may be produced in lieu of originals. Originals, when available, shall be produced for inspection upon request. Parties shall not be required to serve duplicates of documents previously served. (

b) Time for Production of Documents.

(1) Temporary Financial Hearings. Any document required under this rule in any temporary financial relief proceeding shall be served on the other party for inspection and copying as follows. (

A) The party seeking relief shall serve the required documents on the other party with the notice of temporary financial hearing, unless the documents have been served under subdivision (b)(2) of this rule. (

B) The responding party shall serve the required documents on the party seeking relief on or before 5:00 p.m., 2 business days before the day of the temporary financial hearing if served by delivery or 7 days before the day of the temporary financial hearing if served by mad, unless the documents have been received previously by the party seeking relief under subdivision (b)(2) of this rule. A responding party shall be given no less than 12 days to serve the documents required under this rule, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

If the 45-day period for exchange of documents provided for in subdivision (b)(2) of this rule will occur before the expiration of the 12 days, the provisions of subdivision (b)(2) control.

(2) Initial and Supplemental Proceedings. Any document required under this rule for any initial or supplemental proceeding shall be served on the other party for inspection and copying -within 45 days of service of the initial pleading on the respondent. (

c) Parties Whose Annual Income and Expenses Are Less Than $50,000. Any party whose gross annual income from all sources is less than $50,000 and whose total annual expenses are less than $50,000 shall be required to serve the following documents in any proceeding for an initial or supplemental request for temporary or permanent financial relief, including, but not limited to, a request for child support, alimony, equitable distribution of assets or debts, or attorneys’ fees, suit money, or costs:

(1) A financial affidavit in substantial conformity with Family Law Form 12.901(d), which requirement cannot be waived by the parties.

(2) All federal and state income tax returns, gift tax returns, and intangible personal property tax returns filed by the party or on the party’s behalf for the past three years.

(3) IRS forms W-2,1099, and K-l for the past year, if the income tax return for that year has not been prepared.

(4) Pay stubs or other evidence of earned income for the 3 months prior to service of the financial affidavit.

(5) A statement by the producing party identifying the amount and source of all income received from any source during the 3 months preceding the service of the financial affidavit required by this rule if not reflected on the pay stubs produced.

(6) All loan applications and financial statements prepared or used within the 3 years preceding service of that party’s financial affidavit required by this rule, whether for the purpose of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit or for any other purpose. (

d) Parties Whose Annual Income or Expenses Are Equal To or Exceed $50,000. Any party whose gross annual income from all sources is equal to or exceeds $50,000 or whose total annual expenses are equal to or exceed $50,000 shall be required to serve the documents on the other party as follows.

(1) Temporary Financial Relief. In any proceeding for temporary financial relief, the following documents shall be served on the other party: (

A) A financial affidavit in substantial conformity with Family Law Form 12.901(e), which requirement cannot be waived by the parties. (

B) All federal and state income tax returns, gift tax returns, and intangible personal property tax returns filed by the party or on the party’s behalf for the past 3 years. (

C) IRS forms W-2,1099, and K-l for the past year, if the income tax return for that year has not been prepared. (

D) Pay stubs or other evidence of earned income for the 3 months prior to service of the financial affidavit. (

E) A statement by the producing party identifying the amount and source of all income received from any source during the 3 months preceding the service of the financial affidavit required by this rule if not reflected on the pay stubs produced. (

F) All loan applications and financial statements prepared or used within the 3 years preceding service of that party’s financial affidavit required by this rule, whether for the purpose of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit or for any other purpose. (

G) Corporate, partnership, and trust tax returns for the last tax year, if the producing party has an interest in a corporation, partnership, or trust greater than or equal to 30%.

(2) Initial Proceedings. In any initial proceeding for permanent financial relief, including, but not limited to, a request for child support, alimony, equitable distribution of assets or debts, or attorneys’ fees, suit money, or costs, the following documents shall be served on the other party: (

A) All documents listed in subdivision (d)(1). (

B) The answers to interrogatories found in Family Law Form 12.930(b). (

C) All documents showing reimbursed expenses and in-kind payments that reduce the party’s personal living expenses that were received by or made available to the party for the last 3 years. (

D) All deeds, mortgages, promissory notes, and closing statements pertaining to real estate in which the party owns or owned an interest within the last 3 years, whether held in the party’s name individually, in the party’s name jointly with any other person, in the party’s name as trustee or guardian for any other person, or in someone else’s name on the party’s behalf. (

E) All periodic statements and passbooks from the last 3 years for all checking accounts, savings accounts, money market funds, certificates of deposit, and credit union accounts (regardless of whether or not the account has been closed), including those held in the party’s name individually, in the party’s name jointly with any other person or entity, in the party’s name as trustee or guardian for any other person, or in someone else’s name on the party’s behalf. (

F) All brokerage account statements in which either party to this action held within the last 3 years or holds an interest including those held in the party’s name individually, in the party’s name jointly with any person or entity, in the party’s name as trustee or guardian for any other person, or in someone else’s name on the party’s behalf. (

G) All title certificates, lease agreements, and registration certificates for all motor vehicles, boats, airplanes, and any other vehicle requiring registration that the party regularly uses, owns, or owned in the last 3 years. (

H) The most recent statement for any profit sharing, retirement, or pension plan in which the party is a participant or alternate payee and the

summary plan description for any retirement, profit sharing, or pension plan in which the party is a participant or an alternate payee (The

summary plan description must be furnished to the party on request by the plan administrator as required by 29 U.S.C. § 1024(b)(4).) (

I) All documents pertaining to any money owed to the party or spouse. (

J) All life insurance policies insuring the party’s life or the life of the party’s spouse. (

K) Corporate, partnership, and trust tax returns for the last 3 years if the party has an ownership or interest in a corporation, partnership, or trust greater than or equal to 30%. (

L) Periodic statements, amortization schedules, or other records showing the party’s indebtedness as of the date of the filing of this action and for the last 3 years. (

M) All written premarital or marital agreements entered into at any time between the parties to this marriage, whether before or during the marriage. (

N) All documents and tangible evidence supporting the producing party’s claim of special equity or nonmarital status of an asset or debt for the time period from the date of acquisition of the asset or debt to the date of production or from the date of marriage, if based on premarital acquisition. (

O) Any court orders directing a party to pay or receive spousal or child support.

(3) Supplemental Proceedings. In any temporary or permanent supplemental proceeding regarding financial relief, documents shall be produced as set forth in subdivisions (d)(1) and (d)(2), respectively and shall be served as set forth in subdivision (b)(1). Additionally, in any modification proceeding, each party shall serve on the opposing party all written agreements entered into between them at any time since the order to be modified was entered. (

e) Duty to Supplement Disclosure; Amended Financial Affidavit.

(1) Parties have a continuing duty to supplement documents described in this rule, including financial affidavits, whenever a material change in their financial status occurs.

(2) If an amended financial affidavit or an amendment to a financial affidavit is served, the amending party also shall serve any subsequently discovered or acquired documents supporting the amendments to the financial affidavit if the party falls within the provisions of subdivision (d). (

f) Sanctions. Any document to be produced under this rule that is served on the opposing party fewer than 24 hours before a nonfinal hearing or in violation of the court’s pretrial order shall not be admissible in evidence at that hearing unless the court finds good cause for the delay. In addition, the court may impose other sanctions authorized by rule 12.380 as may be equitable under the circumstances. The court may also impose sanctions upon the offending lawyer in lieu of imposing sanctions on a party. (

g) Objections to Mandatory Automatic Disclosure. Objections to the mandatory automatic disclosure required by this rule shall be served in writing at least 5 days prior to the due date for the disclosure or the objections shall be deemed waived. For good cause shown, the court may extend the time for the filing of an objection or permit the filing of an otherwise untimely objection. (

h) Certificate of Compliance. All parties subject to automatic mandatory disclosure shall file with the court a certificate of compliance identifying with particularity the documents which have been delivered and certifying the date of service of the financial affidavit and documents by that party. (

i) Place of Production.

(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties or ordered by the court, all production required by this rule shall take place in the county where the action is pending and in the office of the attorney for the party receiving production. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties or ordered by the court, if a party does not have an attorney or if the attorney does not have an office in the county where the action is pending, production shall take place in the county where the action is pending at a place designated in writing by the party receiving production, served at least 5 days before the due date for production.

(2) If venue is contested, on motion by a party the court shall designate the place where production will occur pending determination of the venue issue. Commentary 1995 Adoption. This rule creates a procedure for automatic financial disclosure in family law cases. By requiring production at an early stage in the proceedings, it is hoped that the expense of litigation will be minimized. See Drains v. Drains, 627 So.2d 505 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993); Wrona v. Wrona, 592 So.2d 694 (Fla. 2d DCA 1991); and Katz v. Katz, 505 So.2d 25 (Fla. 4th DCA 1987).

A limited number of requirements have been placed upon parties making and spending less than $50,000 annually unless otherwise ordered by the court. In cases where the income or expenses of a party are equal to or exceed $50,000 annually, the requirements are much greater. Except for the provisions as to financial affidavits, any portion of this rule may be modified by agreement of the parties or by order of the court.

For instance, upon the request of any party or on the court’s own motion, the court may order that the parties to the proceeding comply with some or all of the automatic mandatory disclosure provisions of this rule even though the parties do not meet the income requirements set forth in subdivision (d). Additionally, the court may, on the motion of a party or on its own motion, limit the disclosure requirements in this rule should it find good cause for doing so. RULE 12.290. DEPOSITIONS BEFORE ACTION OR PENDING APPEAL Depositions before an- action or pending an appeal shall be governed by Florida Rule of .

Civil Procedure 1.290. RULE 12.300. PERSONS BEFORE WHOM DEPOSITIONS MAY BE TAKEN Provisions regarding who may take depositions shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.300. RULE 12.310. DEPOSITIONS UPON ORAL EXAMINATION Depositions upon oral examination shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.310. RULE 12.320. DEPOSITIONS UPON WRITTEN QUESTIONS Depositions upon written questions shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.320. RULE 12.330.

USE OF DEPOSITIONS IN COURT PROCEEDINGS Use of depositions in court proceedings shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.330. RULE 12.340. INTERROGATORIES TO PARTIES Interrogatories to parties shall be governed generally by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.340, with the following exceptions. (

a) Initial Interrogatories. Initial interrogatories to parties shall be those set forth in Family Law Form 12.930(b). Parties governed by the mandatory disclosure requirements of rule 12.285(d) (income or expenses of $50,000 or more) shall automatically submit the answers to those interrogatories as provided in that rule. Parties governed by the mandatory disclosure requirements of rule 12.285(e) (income and expenses under $50,000), may serve the interrogatories set forth in Family Law Form 12.930(

b) as set forth in rule 1.340. (

b) Additional Interrogatories. Ten interrogatories, including subparts, may be sent to a party in addition to the standard interrogatories contained in Family Law Form 12.930(b). A party must obtain permission of the court to send more than ten additional interrogatories. Commentary 1995 Adoption. For parties governed under the disclosure requirements of rule 12.285(d) (income or expenses of $50,000 or more), the answers to the interrogatories contained in Form 12.930(

b) must be automatically served on the other party. For parties governed under the disclosure requirements of rule 12.285(e) (income and expenses under $50,000), the service of the interrogatories contained in Form 12.930(

b) is optional as provided in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.340. Additionally, under this rule, 10 additional interrogatories, including subparts, may be submitted beyond those contained in Family Law Form 12.930(b). Leave of court is required to exceed 10 additional interrogatories. The provisions of Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.340 are to govern the procedures and scope of the additional interrogatories. RULE 12.350.

PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND THINGS AND ENTRY UPON LAND FOR INSPECTION AND OTHER PURPOSES Production of documents and things and entry upon land for inspection and other purposes shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.350. RULE 12.351. PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND THINGS WITHOUT DEPOSITION Production of documents and things without deposition shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.351. RULE 12.360.

EXAMINATION OF PERSONS Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.360 shall govern general provisions concerning the examination of persons in family law matters, except that examinations permitted under rule 1.360(a)(1) may include, but are not limited to, examinations involving physical or mental condition, employability or vocational testing, genetic testing, or any other type of examination related to a matter in controversy. Commentary 1995 Adoption.

This rule expands Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.360 to specify common examinations in family law matters, but this rule is not intended to be an exclusive list of allowable examinations. Rule 1.360 should be inteipreted to discourage subjecting children to multiple interviews, testing, and evaluations. RULE 12.370. REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION Requests for admission shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.370. RULE 12.380.

FAILURE TO MAKE DISCOVERY; SANCTIONS Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.380 shall govern the failure to make discovery in family law matters and related sanctions, with the following addition. A party may apply for an order compelling discovery in the manner set forth in rule 1.380 for the failure, of any person to comply with any discovery request or requirement under the family law rules, including, but not limited to, the failure to comply with Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.285. RULE 12.390.

DEPOSITIONS OF EXPERT WITNESSES Depositions of expert witnesses shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.390. RULE 12.400. CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS AND PROCEEDINGS (

a) Closure of Proceedings or Records. Closure of court proceedings or sealing of records may be ordered by the court only as provided by Rule of Judicial Administration 2.051. (

b) In Camera Inspection. The court shall conduct an in camera inspection of any records sought to be sealed and consider the contents of the records in determining whether they should be sealed. Commentary 1995 Adoption. Judicial proceedings and records should be public except when substantial compelling circumstances, especially the protection of children or of business trade secrets, require otherwise. Family law matters frequently present such circumstances.

It is intended that this rule be applied to protect the interests of minor children from offensive testimony and to protect children in a divorce proceeding. RULE 12.407. TESTIMONY AND ATTENDANCE OF MINOR CHILD No minor child shall be deposed or brought to a deposition, brought to court to appear as a witness or to attend a hearing, or subpoenaed to appear at a hearing without prior order of the court based on good cause shown unless in an emergency situation. This provision shall not apply to uncontested adoption proceedings. Commentary 1995 Adoption.

This rule is intended to afford additional protection to minor children by avoiding any unnecessary involvement of children in family law litigation. While due process considerations prohibit an absolute ban on child testimony, this rule requires that a judge determine whether a child’s testimony is necessary and relevant to issues before the court prior to a child being required to testify. RULE 12.410. SUBPOENA Subpoenas shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.410. RULE 12.420.

DISMISSAL OF ACTIONS Dismissal of actions shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.420, with the following two exceptions. (

a) Voluntary Dismissal. Unless otherwise specified in a notice or stipulation, a voluntary dismissal shall be without prejudice and shall not operate as an adjudication on the merits. (

b) Costs. Costs shall be assessed as provided in rule 1.420(d), except that the court shall not require the payment of costs of a previously dismissed claim, which was based upon or included the same claim against the same adverse party as the current action. Commentary 1995 Adoption.

Subdivision (a), which amends Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.420(a)(1), was added to eliminate the language of that subdivision which reads “except that a notice of dismissal operates as an adjudication on the merits when served by a plaintiff who has once dismissed in any court an action based on or including the same claim” and to specifically provide to the contrary. Subdivision (b), which amends rule 1.420(d), was added to prevent the discouragement of reconciliation. RULE 12.430. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL; WAIVER Demands for and waivers of jury trial shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.430.

RULE 12.431. TRIAL JURY Trials by jury shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.431. RULE 12.440. SETTING ACTION FOR TRIAL Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.440 shall govern general provisions concerning setting an action for trial in family law matters, with the following exceptions and additions. (

a) Setting for Trial. If the court finds the action ready to be set for trial, it shall enter an order setting the action for trial, fixing a date for trial, and setting a pretrial conference, if necessary. In the event a default has been entered, reasonable notice of not less than 10 days shall be given unless otherwise required by law. Trial shall be set within a reasonable time from the service of the notice for trial.

At the pretrial conference, the parties should be prepared, consistent with Florida Family Law Ride of Procedure 12.200, to present any matter that will prepare the parties for trial and that can expedite the resolution of the case. The trial court may also direct the parties to reciprocally exchange and file with the court all documents relative to the outcome of the case; a list of all witnesses, all issues to be tried, and all undisposed motions; an estimate of the time needed to try the case; and any other information the court deems appropriate.

This information should be served and filed no later than 72 hours before the pretrial conference or 30 days before the trial. (

b) Sanctions. The failure to comply with the requirements of the order setting the action for trial shall subject the party or attorney to appropriate court sanctions. Commentary 1995 Adoption. This rule amends Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.440(c), Setting for Trial, and creates a procedure to facilitate setting an action for trial. Proper pretrial compliance will foster knowledgeable settlement discussion and expedite an orderly trial. The rule also adds a provision for sanctions. RULE 12.450.

EVIDENCE Adverse witnesses, the record of excluded evidence, and the filing of evidence shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.450. RULE 12.460. CONTINUANCES Continuances shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.460. RULE 12.470. EXCEPTIONS UNNECESSARY Exceptions shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.470 except that no exception shall be necessary to an adverse ruling other than as provided in rules 12.490 and 12.492. Commentary 1995 Adoption. This rule amends subdivision (

a) of rule 1.470 as it applies to family law matters to eliminate possible confusion between common law exceptions and exceptions to recommendations of a general master under rule 12.490 or a special master under rule 12.492. RULE 12.480. MOTION FOR A DIRECTED VERDICT Motions for directed verdict shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.480. RULE 12.481. VERDICTS Verdicts shall be governed by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.481. RULE 12.490. GENERAL MASTERS (

a) General Masters. Judges of the circuit court may appoint as many general masters from among the members of The Florida Bar in the circuit as the judges find necessary, and the general masters shall continue in office until removed by the court.. The order making an appointment shall be recorded. Every person appointed as a general master shall take the oath required of officers by the Constitution and the oath shall be recorded before the master discharges any duties of that office. (

b) Reference.

(1) No matter shall be heard by a general master without an appropriate order of reference and the consent to the referral of all parties. Consent, as defined in this rule, to a specific referral, once given, cannot be withdrawn without good cause shown before the hearing on the merits of the matter referred. Consent may be express or may be implied in accordance with the requirements of this rule. (

A) A written objection to the referral to a general master must be filed within 10 days of the service of the order of referral. (

B) If the time set for the hearing is less than 10 days after service of the order of referral, the objection must be filed before commencement of the hearing. (

C) If the order of referral is served within the first 20 days after the service of the initial process, the time to file an objection is extended to the time within which to file a responsive pleading. (

D) Failure to file a written objection within the applicable time period is deemed to be consent to the order of referral.

(2) The order of referral shall be in substantial conformity with Family Law Form 12.920(a), and shall contain the following language in bold type: A REFERRAL TO A GENERAL MASTER REQUIRES THE CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS MATTER HEARD BEFORE A JUDGE. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS MATTER HEARD BEFORE THE GENERAL MASTER, YOU MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE REFERRAL WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE TIME OF SERVICE OF THIS ORDER. IF THE TIME SET FOR THE HEARING IS LESS THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE OF THIS ORDER, THE OBJECTION MUST BE MADE BEFORE THE HEARING.

IF THIS ORDER IS SERVED WITHIN THE FIRST 20 DAYS AFTER SERVICE OF PROCESS, THE TIME TO FILE AN OBJECTION IS EXTENDED TO THE TIME WITHIN WHICH A RESPONSIVE PLEADING IS DUE. FAILURE TO FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION WITHIN THE APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD IS DEEMED TO BE A CONSENT TO THE REFERRAL. REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE GENERAL MASTER SHALL BE BY EXCEPTIONS AS PROVIDED IN RULE 12.490(f), FLA.FAM.L.R.P. A RECORD, WHICH INCLUDES A TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS, MAY BE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE EXCEPTIONS.

(3) The order of referral shall state with specificity the matter or matters being referred and the name of the general master to whom the matter is referred. The order of referral also shall state whether electronic recording or a court reporter is provided by the court, or whether a court reporter, if desired, must be provided by the litigants.

(4) When a reference is made to a general master, any party or the general master may set the action for hearing. (

c) General Powers and Duties. Every general master shall perform all of the duties that pertain to the office according to the practice in chancery and rules of court and under the direction of the court except those duties related to domestic and repeat violence. A general master shall be empowered to administer oaths and conduct hearings, which may include the taking of evidence. All grounds for disqualification of a judge shall apply to general masters. (

d) Hearings.

(1) The general master shall assign a time and place for proceedings as soon as reasonably possible after the reference is made and give notice to each of the parties either directly or by directing counsel to file and serve a notice of hearing. If any party fails to appear, the general master may proceed ex parte or may adjourn the proceeding to a future day, giving notice to the absent party of the adjournment. The general master shall proceed with reasonable diligence in every reference and with the least delay practicable.

Any party may apply to the court for an order to the general master to speed the proceedings and to make the report and to certify to the court the reason for any delay.

(2) The general master shall take testimony and establish a record which may be by electronic means as provided by Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.070(

d) or by a court reporter. The parties may not waive this requirement.

(3) The general master shall have authority to examine under oath the parties and all witnesses upon all matters contained in the reference to require production of all books, papers, writings, vouchers, and other documents applicable to it, and to examine on oath orally all witnesses produced by the parties. The general master may take all actions concerning evidence that can be taken by the circuit court and in the same manner. The general master shall have the same powers as a circuit judge to utilize communications equipment as defined and regulated by Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.071.

(4) The notice or order setting the cause for hearing shall be in substantial conformity with Family Law Form 12.920(

b) and shall contain the following language in bold type: SHOULD YOU WISH TO SEEK REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDA-. TION MADE BY THE GENERAL MASTER, YOU MUST FILE EXCEPTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 12.490(f), FLAFAM.L.R.P. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE COURT WITH A RECORD SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT YOUR EXCEPTIONS OR YOUR EXCEPTIONS WILL BE DENIED. A RECORD ORDINARILY INCLUDES A WRITTEN TRANSCRIPT OF ALL RELEVANT PROCEEDINGS. THE PERSON SEEKING REVIEW MUST HAVE THE TRANSCRIPT PREPARED IF NECESSARY FOR THE COURT’S REVIEW.

(5) The notice or order setting a matter for hearing shall state whether electronic recording or a court reporter is provided by the court. If the court provides electronic recording, the notice also shall state that any party may provide a court reporter at that party’s expense. (

e) General Master’s Report. The general master shall file a report that includes findings of fact and conclusions of law, together with recommendations. If a court reporter was present, the report shall contain the name and address of the reporter. (

f) Filing Report; Notice; Exceptions. The general master shall file the report and recommendations and serve copies on all parties. The parties may serve exceptions to the report within 10 days from the time it is served on them. Any party may file cross-exceptions within 5 days from the service of the exceptions, provided, however, that the filing of cross-exceptions shall not delay the hearing on the exceptions unless good cause is shown. If no exceptions are filed within that period, the court shall take appropriate action on the report. If exceptions are filed, they shall be heard on reasonable notice by either party or the court. (

g) Record. For the purpose of the hearing on exceptions, a record, substantially in conformity with this rule, shall be provided to the court by the party seeking review if necessary for the court’s review.

(1) The record shall consist of the court file, including the transcript of the relevant proceedings before the general master and all depositions and evidence presented to the general master.

(2) The transcript of all relevant proceedings, if any, shall be delivered to the judge and provided to all other parties not less than 48 hours before the hearing on exceptions. If less than a full transcript of the proceedings taken before the general master is ordered prepared by the excepting party, that party shall promptly file a notice setting forth the portions of the transcript that have been ordered. The responding parties shall be permitted to designate any additional portions of the transcript necessary to the adjudication of the issues raised in the exceptions or cross-exceptions.

(3) The cost of the original and all copies of the transcript of the proceedings shall be borne initially by the party seeking review, subject to appropriate assessment of suit monies. Should any portion of the transcript be required as a result of a designation filed by the responding party, the party making the designation shall bear the initial cost of the additional transcript. Commentary 1995 Adoption. This rule is a modification of Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.490. That rule governed the appointment of both general and special masters.

The appointment of special masters is now governed by Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.492. This rule is intended to clarify procedures that were required under rule 1.490, and it creates additional procedures. The use of general masters should be implemented only when such use will reduce costs and expedite eases in accordance with Dralus v. Dralus, 627 So.2d 505 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993), Wrona v. Wrona, 592 So.2d 694 (Fla. 2d DCA 1991), and Katz v. Katz, 505 So.2d 25 (Fla. 4th DCA 1987). RULE 12.491. CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT (

a) Limited Application. This rule shall be effective only when specifically invoked by administrative order of the chief justice for use in a particular county or circuit. (

b) Scope. This rule shall apply to proceedings for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of child support wherein the party seeking support is receiving services pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 651 et seq.) and to non-Title IV-D proceedings upon administrative order of the chief justice. (

c) Support Enforcement Hearing Officers. The chief judge of each judicial circuit shall appoint such number of support enforcement hearing officers for the circuit or any county within the circuit as are necessary to expeditiously perform the duties prescribed by this rule. A hearing officer shall be a member of The Florida Bar unless waived by the chief justice and shall serve at the pleasure of the chief judge and a majority of the circuit judges in the circuit. (

d) Referral. Upon the filing of a cause of action or other proceeding for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of support to which this rule applies, the court or clerk of the circuit court shall refer such proceedings to a support enforcement hearing officer, pursuant to procedures to be established by administrative order of the chief judge. (

e) General Powers and Duties. The support enforcement hearing officer shall be empowered to issue process, administer oaths, require the production of documents, and conduct hearings for the purpose of taking evidence. A support enforcement hearing officer does not have the authority to hear contested paternity cases.

Upon the receipt of a support proceeding, the support enforcement hearing officer shall: (1) assign a time and place for an appropriate hearing and give notice to each of the parties as may be required by law; (2) take testimony and establish a record, which record may be by electronic means as provided by Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.070(d); (3) accept voluntary acknowledgment of paternity and support liability and stipulated agreements setting the amount of support to be paid; and (4) evaluate the evidence and promptly make a recommended order to the court.

Such order shall set forth findings of fact. (

f) Entry of Order and Relief from Order. Upon receipt of a recommended order, the court shall review the recommended order and shall enter an order promptly unless good cause appears to amend the order, conduct further proceedings, or refer the matter back to the hearing officer to conduct further proceedings. Any party affected by the order may move to vacate the order by filing a motion to vacate within 10 days from the date of entry. Any party may file a cross-motion to vacate within 10 days from the date of rendition; an additional 5 days shall be allowed if the order was served by mail.

Any party may file a cross-motion to vacate within 5 days of service of a motion to vacate, provided, however, that the filing of a cross-motion to vacate shall not delay the hearing on the motion to vacate unless good cause is shown. A motion to vacate the order shall be heard within 10 days after the movant applies for hearing on the motion. (

g) Modification of Order. Any party affected by the order may move to modify the order at any time. (

h) Record. For the purpose of hearing on a motion to vacate, a record, substantially in conformity with this rule, shall be provided to the court by the party seeking review.

(1) The record shall consist of the court file, including the transcript of the proceedings before the hearing officer, if filed, and all depositions and evidence presented to the hearing officer.

(2) The transcript of all relevant proceedings shall be delivered to the judge and provided to opposing counsel not less than 48 hours before the hearing on the motion to vacate. If less than a full transcript of the proceedings taken before the hearing officer is ordered prepared by the moving party, that party shall promptly file a notice setting forth the portions of the transcript that have been ordered. The responding party shall be permitted to designate any additional portions of the transcript necessary to the adjudication of the issues raised in the motion to vacate or cross-motion to vacate.

(3) The cost of the or

[…]