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37 verbatim requirements from 5th Jud. Cir., Self-Help — sha256-hashed 2026-07-25.
Fifth Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter). Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Verbatim from https://www.circuit5.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/pet-to-contest-ntc-intent-to-susp-dl-admin-packet.pdf, harvested 2026-07-25; whitespace normalised only. • If there is any change in your mailing or e-mail address(es), you must complete a new form, file it with the clerk, and serve a copy on any other party or parties in your case. • A copy of this form must be served on any other party in your case. • If you choose to file your pleadings or other documents electronically, you must do so in accordance with Florida Rule of • Judicial Administration 2.525, and you must follow the procedures of the judicial circuit in which you file. • After the initial service of process of the petition or supplemental petition by the Sheriff or certified process server, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration now require that all documents required or permitted to be served on the other party must be served by electronic mail (e-mail) except in certain circumstances. • You must strictly comply with the format requirements set forth in the Rules of Judicial • E-mail Address (06/18) -- 7 of 21 -- by electronic mail (e-mail), or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, you must review Florida Rule of • If a self-represented litigant elects to serve and receive documents by e-mail, the procedures must always be followed once the initial election is made. • To serve and receive documents by e-mail, you must designate your e-mail addresses by using the • 12.915, and you must provide your e-mail address on each form on which your signature appears. • 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 • 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. • E-MAIL ADDRESS: {Do not provide an e-mail address unless you choose to serve and receive all documents in the future only by e-mail. • I understand that I must keep the clerk’s office and the opposing party or parties notified of my current mailing and e-mail address(es) and that all future papers in this lawsuit will be served at the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. • IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [fill in all blanks] This form was prepared for the: {choose only one} _____ Petitioner _____ Respondent • Service is required for all documents filed in your case. • Personal service means that a summons (this form) and a copy of the forms you are filing with the court that must be personally served are delivered by a deputy sheriff or private process server a. directly to the other party, or b. to someone over the age of fifteen with whom the other party lives. • Personal service is required for all petitions, including petitions for modification. • Personal service must be made by the sheriff’s department in the county where the other party lives or works or by a private process server certified in the county where the other party lives or works. • The clerk will sign the summons, and then the summons, a copy of the papers to be served, and the process service memorandum must be delivered to the appropriate sheriff’s office or to a private process server for service on the other party. • After service is complete, proof of service by the private process server must be filed with the clerk. • For example, the judge may be able to grant your request for a divorce, but the judge may not be able to address issues such as child support, spousal support (alimony), or division of property or debts. • The person who delivers the summons and copies of the petition must file a proof of service with the clerk or provide a proof of service to you for filing with the court. • If you have been unable to obtain proper service on the other party within 120 days after filing your lawsuit, the court will dismiss your lawsuit against the other party unless you can show the court a good reason why service was not made within 120 days. • If the other party fails to respond, i.e., fails to file a written response with the court, within 20 days after the service of the summons, you are entitled to request a default. • 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. -- 14 of 21 -- • Your written response, including the case number given above and the names of the parties, must be filed if you want the Court to hear your side of the case. • If you do not file your written response on time, you may lose the case, and your wages, money, and property may be taken thereafter without further warning from the Court. • If you do not know an attorney, you may call an attorney referral service or a legal aid office (listed in the phone book). • Court, you must also serve a copy of your written response on the party serving this summons at: {Name and address of party serving summons} . • Service must be in accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516. • You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. • Do not forget to attach to the summons a copy of your initial petition and any other papers you want personally served on the other party. • You must strictly comply with the format requirements set forth in the Rules of • If you elect to participate in electronic service, which means serving or receiving pleadings by electronic mail (e-mail), or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, you must review • If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these forms, that person must give you a copy of Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Florida Family Law • IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [fill in all blanks] This form was prepared for the Petitioner.
If there is any change in your mailing or e-mail address(es), you must complete a new form, file it with the clerk, and serve a copy on any other party or parties in your case.
Reviewer note: PDF sha256: 334723bcf736273dbc5ac66fc6528734c5a778893c9d3c16e51531fe9439f93d. Extracted from the document's own text layer.
Judge Bell caps motions and responses at 5 pages for UMC hearings and 12 pages for special-set hearings.
Judge Alijewicz requires every motion for attorney's fees and/or costs to attach a document detailing time records — no records, no fee award.
Judge Corlew bars informal contact: every communication with the Court must be in writing, filed with the Clerk, with copies furnished to all parties — and no calls to the JA to schedule or cancel UMC.