Form 12.903(e) Answer to Supplemental Petition (Florida): how to fill it out, line by line

A paragraph-by-paragraph walkthrough of the Florida form for answering a supplemental petition to modify a parenting plan, time-sharing, child support, or alimony: admit, deny, or say you do not know, and the forms that go with it.

Researched by Dan Martin, Legal Researcher · Published by Onbello Legal

Quick answer

Form 12.903(e) is the Florida Supreme Court approved form for answering a supplemental petition to modify a Parenting Plan, time-sharing schedule, child support, or alimony. You list, by paragraph number, which allegations of the supplemental petition you admit, which you deny, and which you cannot admit or deny for lack of information, and you state which supporting forms are filed with the answer. The instructions say it must be filed within 20 days of being served with the supplemental petition, signed before a notary public or deputy clerk, and mailed, e-mailed, or hand delivered to the other party. The form has no counterpetition section.

Summary: what 12.903(e) does, and what you need first

Form 12.903(e) answers a supplemental petition for modification of a Parenting Plan, time-sharing schedule, child support, or alimony, such as Form 12.905(a).
The deadline is 20 days. The instructions say you have 20 days to answer after being served with the other party’s supplemental petition, and rule 12.140(a)(1) sets the same period.
Have the supplemental petition in front of you. Paragraphs 1 through 3 ask you to sort its numbered paragraphs into admitted, denied, and unable to admit or deny.
If you want to ask the court for something different, not just answer, this form is not enough. The instructions say there is no counterpetition form for a supplemental petition and that you will need to get legal help or construct one yourself.
If financial issues are involved, prepare a Family Law Financial Affidavit (12.902(b) or 12.902(c)). The instructions say it must be filed within 45 days of service of the supplemental petition on you, if not filed with the answer.
If the case involves children, a UCCJEA Affidavit (12.902(d)) is filed with the answer, per paragraph 6.
If child support is involved, the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (12.902(e)) is filed or will be timely filed, per paragraph 7.
Do not sign it at home. The instructions say to sign before a notary public or deputy clerk.
File the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the case was filed, and keep a copy, per the instructions.
Send a copy of the answer and every form filed with it to the other party by mail, e-mail, or hand delivery, and fill in the certificate of service.

The full form

All 2 pages of Form 12.903(e) (Rev. 02/18) as the court prints them. Open a page to read it full size; the walkthrough below shows the matching part of the form under each item.

What Form 12.903(e) is, and what it does not do

Answer to Supplemental Petition (Form 12.903(e)) is how you respond when the other party has filed a supplemental petition to change an existing Florida order. The PDF published on flcourts.gov is seven pages: five pages of instructions and a two-page answer. It is used for supplemental petitions about a Parenting Plan, the time-sharing schedule, child support, or alimony.

An answer admits or denies. Rule 12.110(c) of the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure says an answer must admit or deny the allegations the other party relies on, and that if you are without knowledge you must say so, and that statement operates as a denial. Rule 12.110(e) says allegations in a pleading that requires a response, other than those about the relief requested, are admitted when not denied. That is why paragraphs 1 through 3 ask you to account for the petition’s numbered paragraphs.

An answer does not ask for anything. The instructions say this form is used to admit or deny the allegations if you do not plan to file a counterpetition, that there is no counterpetition form for a supplemental petition, and that you may construct one using the pertinent sections of Form 12.903(c)(1) (with dependent or minor children) or 12.903(c)(2) (with property but no dependent or minor children).

The clock comes from service, not from a hearing date. Florida modifications are started by supplemental petition under rule 12.110(h), and rule 12.140(a)(1) gives a respondent 20 days after service of original process and the initial pleading to serve a response. The instructions for the petitioner’s form, 12.905(a), say that if no answer has been filed after 20 days, the petitioner may file a Motion for Default.

On October 1, 2026, the Florida Supreme Court redesignated every Florida family law form as a “Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form” (No. SC2026-1262). The opinion says existing forms remain valid however they are titled, and that cross-references to the old “Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure” forms, which this answer still prints for 12.902(b), (c) and (e), are read as references to the corresponding approved forms.

This page is public legal information, not legal advice, and Onbello is not a law firm. The item numbers and labels below are those printed on the Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law form (12.903(e), Rev. 02/18). Procedures differ by county. If you can afford an attorney, we encourage you to hire one.

Form 12.903(e) paragraph by paragraph

The answer starts on page 6 of the PDF. Page 6 carries the caption, the opening statement and paragraphs 1 through 7; page 7 carries the certificate of service, the oath, your signature, the notary block and the nonlawyer block. Paragraph numbers below are the ones printed on the form.

When an item runs out of room

Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 each ask you to {indicate section and paragraph number}. The form has no attachment page of its own. Rule 12.130(b) says any exhibit attached to a pleading is considered part of the pleading, so if a list runs long, continue it on a sheet labeled with the paragraph number of the answer it continues.

Caption

Circuit, county, case number, division, Petitioner and Respondent

What it asks: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE ___ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ___ COUNTY, FLORIDA, then the case number, the division, and the Petitioner and Respondent names.
What to put: Copy all of it from the supplemental petition you were served with, so the answer is filed in the same case. For example, Petitioner Maria Lopez and Respondent Daniel Reyes.
Common mistake: Swapping the party roles because you are the one answering. Keep the Petitioner and Respondent as they appear in the case caption.

Opening statement

I, {full legal name}, being sworn, certify

What it asks: Your full legal name, followed by the printed statement that, being sworn, you certify that the following information is true.
What to put: Your full legal name. Everything after this line is sworn, which is why the form ends with an oath and a notary block.
Common mistake: Treating the answer as an informal reply. The oath on page 7 states that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or imprisonment.

Paragraph 1

Allegations you admit

What it asks: The numbered paragraphs of the Supplemental Petition that you agree with and therefore admit. {indicate section and paragraph number}
What to put: The paragraph numbers you agree with, for example the date of the final judgment in paragraph 1 of a Form 12.905(a). Admitting a fact is not agreeing to the change requested.
Common mistake: Writing explanations here. This paragraph is a list of paragraph numbers.

Paragraph 2

Allegations you deny

What it asks: The numbered paragraphs of the Supplemental Petition that you disagree with and therefore deny. {indicate section and paragraph number}
What to put: The paragraph numbers you dispute. Rule 12.110(c) says a denial must fairly meet the substance of the allegation, and that if you intend in good faith to deny only part of an allegation, you must say which part is true and deny the rest.
Common mistake: Leaving a paragraph off all three lists. Rule 12.110(e) says allegations that require a response are admitted when not denied, other than those about the relief requested.

Paragraph 3

Allegations you cannot admit or deny

What it asks: The paragraphs you are currently unable to admit or deny due to lack of information. {indicate section and paragraph number}
What to put: Only the paragraphs you truly do not have the information to answer. Rule 12.110(c) says a statement that you are without knowledge operates as a denial.
Common mistake: Using this paragraph for facts you know but would rather not address. The answer is sworn.

Paragraph 4

Family Law Financial Affidavit

What it asks: If not previously filed in the case, whether a completed Family Law Financial Affidavit, Form 12.902(b) or (c), _____ is filed with this answer, or _____ will be timely filed.
What to put: Mark one blank. The instructions say the financial affidavit must be filed within 45 days of service of the supplemental petition on you if it is not filed with the answer. Rule 12.285(e)(1) sets the line: Form 12.902(b) below $50,000 gross annual income, Form 12.902(c) at $50,000 or more.
Common mistake: Assuming the affidavit from the original case still counts. Rule 12.285(f)(1) imposes a continuing duty to supplement financial affidavits whenever a material change in financial status occurs.

Paragraph 5

Notice of Social Security Number

What it asks: The printed statement that, if not previously filed in the case, a completed Notice of Social Security Number, Form 12.902(j), is filed with this answer.
What to put: Nothing to check. If the notice is not already in the court file, file it with the answer.
Common mistake: Writing a Social Security number into the answer itself. It belongs on Form 12.902(j).

Paragraph 6

UCCJEA Affidavit, if applicable

What it asks: A blank marked {If applicable} for the statement that the case involves minor child(ren) and a completed UCCJEA Affidavit, Form 12.902(d), is filed with this answer.
What to put: Mark the blank if the case involves minor children, and file the UCCJEA Affidavit with the answer. The instructions list it among the forms you may need if the case involves children.
Common mistake: Marking the blank and filing the UCCJEA Affidavit later. The statement says it is filed with the answer.

Paragraph 7

Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, if applicable

What it asks: A blank marked {If applicable} for the statement that the case involves child support, and that a completed Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Form 12.902(e), _____ is filed or _____ will be timely filed.
What to put: Mark the first blank if child support is involved, then one of the two that follow. Rule 12.285(k) requires the worksheet to be filed at or before a hearing to establish or modify child support. The instructions say you may file it after the other party’s financial affidavit has been served on you if you do not know their income.
Common mistake: Leaving this paragraph blank in a time-sharing modification that also asks to change child support.

Certificate of service

I certify that a copy of this document was

What it asks: How a copy was sent, ( ) mailed, ( ) faxed and mailed, ( ) e-mailed, or ( ) hand delivered, the date, and the other party’s or their attorney’s name, address, city, state, ZIP, fax number and designated e-mail address(es).
What to put: The method and date you actually used, and the other party’s current contact details. The instructions say a copy of this form and all of the other forms required with it must be mailed, e-mailed, or hand delivered to the other party.
Common mistake: Filling in a date before the copy is sent. The certificate states what was done.

Oath and signature

Swearing or affirming, date, and your contact information

What it asks: The statement that you are swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims in the answer, the date, the Signature of Party, and your printed name, address, city, state and ZIP, telephone, fax, and designated e-mail address(es).
What to put: Your contact details; sign in front of the notary or deputy clerk. If you choose to serve and receive documents by e-mail, the instructions say to designate your address on Form 12.915 and give it on every form you sign.
Common mistake: Signing before you reach the notary. The instructions say to sign the form before a notary public or deputy clerk.

Notary block

STATE OF FLORIDA, COUNTY OF

What it asks: The county, and the notary public’s or deputy clerk’s statement that the answer was sworn to or affirmed and signed before them on a date and by a named person, whether you are personally known or produced identification, and the type of identification.
What to put: Completed by the notary public or deputy clerk, not by you. Bring identification.
Common mistake: Filling in the notary block yourself. It is the officer’s certification.

Nonlawyer block

If a nonlawyer helped you fill out this form

What it asks: Whether the form was prepared for the Petitioner or the Respondent, and the name, business, address, city, state, ZIP and telephone number of any nonlawyer who helped complete it.
What to put: Left blank if no one helped you. If a nonlawyer did, the instructions say that person must give you a Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Form 12.900(a), before helping.
Common mistake: Leaving it blank when someone did help you complete the form. The block says the nonlawyer must fill it in.

Common pitfalls

Missing the 20 days

The instructions say the answer must be filed within 20 days of receiving the supplemental petition, and rule 12.140(a)(1) sets 20 days after service. The petitioner’s instructions for Form 12.905(a) say that if no answer has been filed after 20 days, the petitioner may file a Motion for Default, Form 12.922(a).

Expecting the answer to ask for something

The instructions say this form is used to admit or deny the allegations if you do not plan to file a counterpetition, and that there is no counterpetition form for a supplemental petition in the Florida forms. If you want different relief, they say to seek legal assistance or construct a counterpetition from Form 12.903(c)(1) or 12.903(c)(2).

Answering only the paragraphs you disagree with

Rule 12.110(e) says allegations in a pleading that requires a response, other than those about the relief requested, are admitted when not denied. Account for each numbered paragraph of the supplemental petition in paragraph 1, 2 or 3.

Treating disclosure as optional

The instructions say the financial affidavit and the Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure, Form 12.932, must be filed within 45 days of service of the supplemental petition on you if not filed with the answer, the certificate unless both parties agreed not to exchange the documents. Rule 12.285(e)(1) says the financial affidavit requirement cannot be waived by the parties.

Filing the supporting documents with the court

Rule 12.285(a)(3)(A) says that, other than the financial affidavit and the child support guidelines worksheet, documents produced under the mandatory disclosure rule are not filed in the court file without a court order. They are served on the other party.

Waiting for the court to set the hearing

The instructions say that if the answer agrees with everything, either party may contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set a final hearing, and that if it disagrees and the issues do not settle, either party may file a Notice for Trial, Form 12.924. Some circuits require mediation before a final hearing may be set.

What to file with 12.903(e)

12.902(b) or 12.902(c): Family Law Financial Affidavit (Short Form or Long Form). With the answer, or within 45 days of service of the supplemental petition on you, per the instructions. Short form under $50,000 gross annual income, long form at $50,000 or more, under rule 12.285(e)(1). Read the 12.902(b) or 12.902(c) walkthrough.
12.932: Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure. Within 45 days of service of the supplemental petition on you if not filed with the answer, unless you and the other party agreed not to exchange these documents.
12.902(d): Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit. If the case involves children, filed with the answer per paragraph 6.
12.902(e): Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. If child support is an issue, per paragraph 7 and the instructions.
12.902(j): Notice of Social Security Number. If not previously filed in the case, per paragraph 5.
12.905(a): Supplemental Petition to Modify Parental Responsibility, Visitation, or Parenting Plan/Time-Sharing Schedule and Other Relief. Not filed by you. It is the most common petition this form answers, and its paragraph numbers are the ones you list in paragraphs 1 through 3. Read the 12.905(a) walkthrough.
12.947(a): Motion for Temporary Support, Time-Sharing, and Other Relief With Dependent or Minor Child(ren). The 12.903(e) instructions point to it if you need temporary relief on parental responsibility, time-sharing, or child support while the case is pending. Its own instructions describe use in a pending dissolution of marriage or support action, so ask the clerk or family law intake staff how your circuit handles temporary relief in a modification.

The instructions say that if you file electronically you must follow the procedures of the judicial circuit where you file, and that you should ask the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant about parenting course and mediation requirements where you live.

Keep reading

Form 12.905(a) Supplemental Petition, line by line

The petition this answer usually responds to, paragraph by paragraph.

Form 12.902(b) Financial Affidavit (Short Form), line by line

The financial affidavit for gross annual income under $50,000.

Form 12.902(c) Financial Affidavit (Long Form), line by line

The financial affidavit for gross annual income of $50,000 or more.

Being served in Florida

How service works and when the 20-day answer period starts.

Modifying parental responsibility or time-sharing in Florida

The modification process from the petitioner’s side.

Preparing for mediation in Florida

For circuits that require mediation before a final hearing is set.

Common questions

How long do I have to answer a supplemental petition in Florida?

The instructions for Form 12.903(e) say you have 20 days to answer after being served with the other party’s supplemental petition. Rule 12.140(a)(1) of the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure sets the same 20 days after service of original process and the initial pleading.

What if I agree with some paragraphs and not others?

That is what the form is built for. Paragraph 1 lists the paragraphs you admit, paragraph 2 the ones you deny, and paragraph 3 the ones you cannot admit or deny for lack of information. Rule 12.110(c) says a statement that you lack knowledge operates as a denial, and rule 12.110(e) says allegations that are not denied are admitted, other than those about the relief requested.

Can I ask for a different schedule in my answer?

Not on this form. The instructions say it is used if you do not plan to file a counterpetition, that there is no counterpetition form for a supplemental petition, and that you may construct one using the pertinent sections of Form 12.903(c)(1) or 12.903(c)(2), or seek legal assistance.

Does the answer have to be served by a process server?

The instructions say a copy of the answer, along with the other forms required with it, must be mailed, e-mailed, or hand delivered to the other party, and the certificate of service on page 7 records how and when that was done.

Does Form 12.903(e) have to be notarized?

Yes. The instructions say to sign the form before a notary public or deputy clerk, and page 7 of the form has the notary block.

What happens after I file the answer?

The instructions describe two paths. If your answer agrees with everything and disclosure is complete, either party may contact the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set a final hearing. If it disagrees and the issues do not settle, either party may file a Notice for Trial, Form 12.924, and some circuits require mediation before a final hearing may be set.

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