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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVED FAMILY LAW FORM 12.981(c)(1), PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF ADULT BY STEPPARENT When should this form be used? This form should be used when a stepparent is adopting his or her spouse's adult child. You must obtain the written consent of the adult child to be adopted, as well as the written consent of his or her spouse (if married). This form should be typed or printed in black ink. The name to be given to the adoptee after the adoption should be used in the heading of the petition. The stepparent is the petitioner, because he or she is the one who is asking the court for legal action. You must have your signature witnessed by a notary public or deputy clerk. After completing this form, you should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where either you or the adoptee live and keep a copy for your records. What should I do next? For your case to proceed, you must have the written consent of the adoptee, and his or her spouse if married. Consent of the birth parent is not required, but written notice of the final hearing on the adoption must be provided to the parents, if any, or proof of service of process must be filed showing notice has been served on the parents. If you know where they live, you must use personal service. If you absolutely do not know where they live, you may use constructive service. For more information about personal and constructive service, you should refer the "General Instructions for Self-Represented Litigants" found at the beginning of these forms and the instructions to O` Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Forms 12.910(a) and 12.913(b) and O` Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.913(a). However, the law regarding constructive service is very complex and you may wish to consult an attorney regarding that issue. When you have filed all of the required forms and met the requirements for consent as outlined above, you are ready to set a hearing on your petition. You should check with the clerk of court, family law intake staff, or judicial assistant to set a final hearing, and notify the other party(ies) using a Notice of Hearing (General), O` Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.923, or other appropriate notice of hearing form. 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. See Chapter 63, Florida Statutes, and Florida Family Law Rule 12.200(a)(2) for further information. Special notes...

Instructions for Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(1), Petition for Adoption of Adult by Stepparent (03/04)

With this petition you must file the following: C Stepparent Adoption: Consent of Adoptee, O` Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(a)(2) C Stepparent Adoption: Consent of Adult Adoptee's Spouse, O` Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(2), if the adoptee is married THIS ADOPTION MAY AFFECT THE ADOPTEE'S INHERITANCE. 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 a Disclosure from Nonlawyer, O` 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 12.981(c)(1), Petition for Adoption of Adult by Stepparent (03/04)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE IN AND FOR

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

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF

{use name to be given to adult}

, Adoptee.

PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF ADULT BY STEPPARENT , files this Petitioner, {full legal name} petition for adoption of the above-named adult, pursuant to Chapter 63, Florida Statutes, and states: 1. 2. This is an action for adoption of an adult by the adult's stepparent, Petitioner. I desire to adopt {adult's full legal name} who was born on {date} , , at {city, county and state} .

3.

I desire to adopt the adult because: .

4.

I am years old, and I have resided at {address} years. Florida for The adoptee's name shall be: The adoptee's birth parents are:

,

5. 6.

.

Father's Name

Birth date

Address

Mother's Name

Birth date

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(1), Petition for Adoption of Adult by Stepparent (03/04)

Address 7. Notice. Notice to the birth parents was made by: .

8. Consent. [ / all that apply] a. The consent of the adoptee is attached. b. The adoptee is married to {full legal name of adoptee's spouse} and the consent of the spouse is attached. c. The adoptee is not married.

,

9.

Written notice of this final hearing was provided to the parents or proof of service of process showing notice has been served on the parents is attached.

WHEREFORE, I request that this Court enter a Final Judgment of Adoption of the adult by Petitioner Stepparent and change the name of the adoptee. I understand that I am swearing or affirming under oath to the truthfulness of the claims made in this petition and that the punishment for knowingly making a false statement includes fines and/or imprisonment. Dated: Signature of Party Printed Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone Number: Fax Number: STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on by .

NOTARY PUBLIC or DEPUTY CLERK

[Print, type, or stamp commissioned name of notary or clerk.] Personally known
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(1), Petition for Adoption of Adult by Stepparent (03/04)

Produced identification Type of identification produced IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [ N 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 petitioner, fill out this form.

Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.981(c)(1), Petition for Adoption of Adult by Stepparent (03/04)