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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.942(a), MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM (03/09)
When should this form be used?
This form may be used by either party in a family law case involving parenting, time­sharing, or paternity of a minor child(ren) to request that the judge appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of the minor child(ren). You should use this form if you feel that your child(ren) needs someone other than you to ensure that both the judicial system and the other party(ies) act(s) in the best interests of the child(ren). A guardian ad litem may be a volunteer who has been trained and certified by the State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program or an attorney who is a member in good standing with The Florida Bar. This form should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, you should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where your case is filed and keep a copy for your records.

What should I do next?
A copy of this form must be mailed or hand delivered to the other party in your case. It is possible that there will be a hearing on your motion. The judge may want to hear the reasons you feel an appointment of a guardian ad litem is necessary, or, the other party may object to your motion. If a hearing is required, check with the clerk of court, family law court staff, or judicial assistant for information on the local procedure for scheduling a hearing. When you know the date and time of your hearing, you should file Notice of Hearing (General), Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form, and provide a copy to the other party.

Where can I look for more information?
Before proceeding, you should read "General Information for Self-Represented Litigants" found at the beginning of these forms. You may also want to contact the Guardian ad Litem Program office in your area or see sections 61.401B405, Florida Statutes.

Special notes...
Order... These family law forms contain an Order Appointing a Guardian ad Litem, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.942(b), which the judge may use. You should check with the clerk, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to see if you need to bring a blank order form with you to the hearing. If so, you should type or print the heading, including the circuit, county, case number, division, and the parties' names, and leave the rest blank for the judge to complete at your hearing or trial.

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.942(a), Motion for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem (03/09)

Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these forms, that person must give you a copy of Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(a), before he or she helps you. A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also must put his or her name, address, and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every form he or she helps you complete.

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.942(a), Motion for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem (03/09)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE IN AND FOR

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: Division:

, Petitioner, and , Respondent.

MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM
( ) Petitioner ( ) Respondent requests that the Court enter an order appointing a guardian ad litem with all powers, privileges, and responsibilities authorized in section 61.403, Florida Statutes, and states: 1. The following minor child(ren) is (are) subject to this proceeding: Name Birth date Age Sex Location/Address

2. Verified allegations of child abuse or neglect as defined in sections 39.01(2) or (45), Florida Statutes, ( ) HAVE ( ) HAVE NOT been made in this case. 3. The matters before the Court regarding the minor child(ren) are: a. sole/shared parental responsibility b. Parenting Plan and time-sharing schedule c. other: 4. It is in the best interests of the minor child(ren) that a guardian ad litem be appointed to advance the best interests of the minor child(ren) because:

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.942(a), Motion for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem (03/09)

I certify that a copy of this document was [one only] ( ) mailed ( ) faxed and mailed ( ) hand delivered to the person(s) listed below on {date} Other party or his/her attorney: Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Fax Number: Dated: Signature of Party Printed Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone Number: Fax Number: IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [fill in all blanks] I, {full legal name and trade name of nonlawyer} , a nonlawyer, located at {street} , {city} , {state} , {phone} , helped {name} , who is the [ one only] petitioner or respondent, fill out this form.

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Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.942(a), Motion for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem (03/09)