State of Florida

Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida

 

 

 

 

ROGER J. McDONALD

CIRCUIT  JUDGE

 

 

OSCEOLA COUNTY COURTHOUSE

2 COURTHOUSE SQUARE, SUITE 6410

KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA  34741

(407) 343-2503

FAX (407) 835-5068       

www.ninja9.net

 

 

 

 

CATHY AKERS

JUDICIAL ASSISTANT

ctjaca1@ocnjcc.org

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:       No Appearance Final Hearings in Dissolutions of Marriage

 

            Important:    Enclosed is the “CHECKLIST FOR UNCONTESTED FINAL HEARINGS”.  When preparing the mail in package please use the checklist before sending the documents.  Check off  the items that apply and include the checklist with the package because we look for the checklist to make sure everything has been included.  If items are missing then your package will be returned and that delays the entry of your client’s final judgment.

 

            This procedure may be used so long as there is one attorney and the other side may be represented or pro se.  The success of this procedure rests upon the waiver of the right to a final evidentiary hearing by both parties, unless there is a default.  It is like summary judgment procedure.  Like almost all rights, the right to a “in person” final hearing may be waived.  A defaulted party needs to be sent copy of the cover letter and documents that are tendered to the Court.

            Some attorneys prefer the old system of scheduling a final hearing and coming to the courthouse and that option is still available, although very few attorneys do it. 

            If there is anything that is out of the ordinary in the final judgement or agreement, such as below guidelines child support, it should be pointed out and explained both in the cover letter and final judgment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                  

 

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                 Office Check List for Mail In Dissolutions of Marriage OR Paternity Cases

UNCONTESTED CHECKLIST

 

This  checklist must be completed when submitted a mail  paperwork.

____   Petition:  if children, U.C.C.J.A. allegations / attached affidavit; 

____   Petition: _____ did wife ask for her name restored? ____ If so, is it in the final judgment;

____   Service: ___ in Florida personal; ___ out of state personal then ___ 48.193 allegations & ___ sheriff service; or ___ diligent search and publication; 

____   Answer or Answer and Waiver or _____ Default; 

____    Notice of Social Security Number” by custodial parent ONLY in child support cases for both parents and child(ren);  S.S. numbers are not to be in any writing except this form; use Fam. Law Form 12.901(j);

____   Marital Settlement Agreement;  _____  both parties have signed it;

____   Sandcastle Certificate for children 6 to 17; Marriage & Paternity Local Rule NO:  07-98-37

____   Parenting Certificate __ Wife __ Husband;  Marriage & Paternity Local Rule NO:  07-98-37; Sect. 61.21;

____   Motion for Written Ex Parte Final Hearing & Waiver of Hearing signed by :___ Husband & ___ Wife;

____   Financial Affidavit of ___Wife __ Husband - only required when a minor child or alimony case; OR an affidavit as to the other parent’s income to the best of their knowledge; 

____   Child Support Guidelines Worksheet; Rule12.285(j) the amount here agrees with F.J. and

            I.D.O. amount; $_______________;  agreement states $______________________

____   Final Hearing Sworn Testimony form;  __ Florida driver’s is attached;  __ issued 6 months prior to filing; 

____   Income Deduction Order: ___ must be calculated every payment way; ___ missing parag. 5b address;

____   Final Judgment, copies and stamped addressed envelopes; ___ NO social security numbers; 

____   F.J.: Parent’s  Name, address;

____   F.J.: Children’s Name, date of birth;

____   F.J.: Child Support:   must contain recipient’s name, address where to send money, child support amount,  payment to SDU; if amount is less or more than 5% of guidelines must “specially” state why because of future modifications;

____   Vital Statistics form for Marriage, & in Paternity case form HD 673;                           

____   Final Disposition form - Form 1.998; Marriage & Paternity; 

____   $7.00 check for recording; Marriage only; 

 

NOTE TO JUDGE  ________________________________________________________________________

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Dated: ___________________ , 2003                                    __________________________________

                                                                                                Attorney at Law


 

 

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR OSCEOLA COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

______________________ ,

          Petitioner,

and                                                              Case No.: DR _______________

 

______________________ ,

          Respondent

 

 

MOTION FOR WRITTEN EX PARTE  FINAL HEARING,

& WAIVER OF COURT APPEARANCE  BY PARTIES

 

            WHEREAS, the undersigned attorney at law is an officer of the court and as such has performed the following duties; and

 

            WHEREAS, this case has been settled by a written agreement, OR by default;  and

 

            WHEREAS, the parties have been advised of their right to a final evidentiary hearing in person before the court, but have chosen this procedure;  and

 

            THEREFORE, it is requested that the Court enter a final judgment for dissolution of marriage, without further notice to either party or delay, and based upon the following:

 

1.         SETTLEMENT:     This case has been settled by a written:

                        ___   Settlement Agreement, or

                        ___   Default properly entered by the Clerk of Court;

 

2.         WAIVER:     The Petitioner and Respondent, unless defaulted, have signed this

document to waive their legal right to a final evidentiary hearing in person before the Court.   They consent that this case may be concluded by an attorney at law submitting the necessary written documents to the court for its review and entry of a final judgment.

 

3.         COURT FILE:     The court file contains the following items: (x which applies)           

                        _____   If No Minor Children:   

                                    ____  Answer or Answer and Waiver;

                                    ____  Financial Affidavit listing all assets and debts;

                                    ____  Property Settlement Agreement;

 

                        _____  If  Minor Children:      

                                    ____  Answer or Answer and Waiver;

                                    ____  Property Settlement & Custody Agreement;

                                    ____  Financial Affidavit listing all assets and debts;

                                    ____  Child Support Guidelines Worksheet; Rule12.285(j)

                                    ____  Sandcastle Class Certificate for all children 6 to 17; Local Rule

                                    ____  Parenting and Divorce Class Certificate for both parents; Local Rule

 

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4.         FACTUAL BASIS FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE:   

 

            The ____Petitioner’s / _____ Counter Petitioner’s attorney at law, as an officer of the court,  placed said party under oath, advised them that they were subject to the penalties of perjury, and then completed Judge McDonald’s  “FINAL HEARING  SWORN  TESTIMONY” form. 

 

5.         FINAL HEARING:    The waiting period of 20 days (Sect. 61.19, F.S.) from the date of filing has expired. 

                       

            THEREFORE, the ____Petitioner’s / _____ Counter Petitioner’s attorney at law moves this honorable Court to enter a final judgment of dissolution of marriage based upon said documents.  And additionally, enclosed are:

 

            ____  Final Hearing Sworn Testimony form;

            ____  Income Deduction Order, “required” if child support; and

            ____  Final Judgment, copies and stamped addressed envelopes as needed; and

            ____  Vital Statistics form;

            ____  Final Disposition form;

            ____  Check for $7.00 for recording of final judgment;

 

 

 

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            UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, the undersigned Petitioner and Respondent swears or affirms to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me.  This document is true and correct, and expresses the uncoerced desire of the undersigned.

 

DATED: _____________, 2003                DATED: _____________ , 2003  

 

____________________________                     _____________________________

PETITIONER’S   SIGNATURE                             RESPONDENT’S   SIGNATURE

 

____________________________                     _____________________________

Attorney for Petitioner                                               Attorney for Respondent

 

 

                                                            See Next Page for Notary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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STATE OF FLORIDA

COUNTY OF OSCEOLA

 

            Sworn to or affirmed and subscribed before me on ________________ , 2003, by PETITIONER, ____________________ .  Said party is _____ personally known to me or they produced identification of ________________________________.

 

                                                            _______________________________

                                                            Notary Public  State of Florida

                                                            Name: _________________________

                                                            Commission Stamp:

 

STATE OF FLORIDA

COUNTY OF OSCEOLA

            Sworn to or affirmed and subscribed before me on _________________ , 2003, by RESPONDENT, ____________________ .  Said party is _____ personally known to me or they produced identification of _________________________.

 

                                                            _______________________________

                                                            Notary Public  State of Florida                                      

                                                            Name: _________________________

                                                            Commission Stamp:

 

 


 

 

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR OSCEOLA COUNTY FLORIDA

 

_________________________

            Petitioner,

and                                                                                                       Case No.: DR _________________

 

_________________________            

            Respondent 

_____________________________/

 

 

FINAL HEARING  SWORN  TESTIMONY

 

            UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, the undersigned swears or affirms to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me.

 

6.             I am or we are the ________ Petitioner and ________ Respondent;

 

7.             I or we have read the petition for dissolution and it is true and correct.

 

8.             Petitioner has been a Florida resident for _____________________ months / years;

 

9.             Petitioner’s Florida Driver’s License or Identification Card or Voter’s Registration is proof of Petitioner’s Florida residency; date of issuance is 6 months prior to filing date of _____________________________ .

 

10.           The marriage is:

_____  Irretrievably broken, I no longer love my spouse, I do not want to be married any longer, and no delay or counseling will save my marriage.

                _____  Not broken and I want to save my marriage;

 

11.           I, or my spouse, to the best of my knowledge, is: _____ not pregnant at this time or  _____ is pregnant at this time; 

 

12.           There were _________  child(ren) born and _______ are under 18 and  _______ over 18 years of age;

                _____ one or more child has as mental or physical disability;

                _____ no child is mentally or physically disabled; 

 

13.           Name Change: Do you want your former name restored?         Yes        No   Name _______________________

                                                                                                                                                                                               

14.           ALL MARITAL PROPERTY & DEBTS have been fairly divided between my spouse and me. If applicable, ALL CHILD SUPPORT, CUSTODY, VISITATION ISSUES ARE SETTLED, including alimony rights, if any, by the agreement.  The agreement signatures are true and signed freely.

 

 

                DATED ___________________ , 2003.                                       ____________________________________

                                                PETITIONER’S SIGNATURE

!!! I. D. must be issued more than 6 months                                 

prior to petition filing date!!! 

Place Picture of license Over this area or attach picture;                                                                         

 

                                                                                                                RESPONDENT’S SIGNATURE

                                                                                                ONLY IF “SIMPLIFIED DISS.”