The Florida Order Form is a legal document used to establish income deductions for child support payments in certain family law cases. This form is specifically designed for situations where the court has mandated that payments be deducted directly from an obligor's income. To ensure compliance and facilitate the process, it's essential to fill out the form correctly, so click the button below to get started.
The Florida Order form, specifically the Income Deduction Order (Form 12.996(a)), plays a crucial role in family law proceedings by ensuring that child support payments are deducted directly from the income of the person responsible for making those payments, known as the obligor. This form is particularly important in non-Title IV-D cases, where a court has mandated that support be paid through an income deduction. The form is designed with several key sections that require careful completion. For instance, it outlines the effective date of the order, the specific amounts to be deducted for child support, alimony, and any arrears, as well as the frequency of these payments. Additionally, it mandates that all deductions be sent to the State Disbursement Unit, ensuring that payments are processed correctly and efficiently. The form also includes provisions for detailing the child support obligations for multiple children, specifying when those obligations will terminate, and addressing any attorney fees or costs associated with the support order. To finalize the process, the form must be signed by a judge, and copies must be shared with the other party involved, ensuring transparency and compliance with legal requirements. By understanding the intricacies of this form, individuals can navigate the often complex landscape of family law with greater confidence and clarity.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE FORM
12.996(a), INCOME DEDUCTION ORDER (06/11)
When should this form be used?
This form should be used in non-Title IV-D cases when the court has ordered that support be paid by the
oligor’s payor through an income deduction order.
This form includes several blanks that must be filled in as applicable. The obligor is the person who is obligated to pay the support ordered by the court and the obligee is the person entitled to receive the support awarded by the court.
In Paragraph 1, one of the three lines must be checked off. The court order that establishes the support award and/or the settlement or mediation agreement entered into between the parties should state the effective date of the Income Deduction Order. The appropriate effective date should be checked off in Paragraph 1.
The blank lines in Paragraph 2 should be completed tracking the same terms of support as are in the court order that establishes the support award and/or the settlement or mediation agreement. The first blank in each line should state the amount of the support payment and the second blank in each line should state the time period that covers said support award. For example, if the child support is $100
per month the first blank would say $
100 and the second blank
in that line would say
o th .
~i
ila l ,#if#the#pa
e ts#a e#to# e#pa a
le#weekl ,#the #the#se o d#
la k#would#sa # week
.##Of#the e#
are any arrearages owed at the time the Income Deduction Order is entered, they must be included in the line for arrears, along with the amount and frequency of the payments due for the arrears, which shall be no less than 20% of the current support obligation. All orders for immediate income deduction must be paid through the State Disbursement Unit. The actual dollar amount of the service fee for the support awarded in your case (4% of each payment not to exceed $5.25 per payment) should be included on the appropriate line.
Paragraph 6 must be completed to show what percentage, if any, of a one-time payment made to the obligor should be applied to any arrearage in support that may be due to the obligee.
You must complete the schedule in paragraph 7 to show the amount of child support for all the minor children at the time of the entry of this order and the amount of the child support that will be owed for any remaining child(ren) after one or more of the children are no longer entitled to receive child support. You should also show in the schedule the day, month, and year that the child support
obligation terminates for each minor child. The date child support terminates should be listed as the hild’s# 18th birthday unless the court has found that section 743.07(2), Florida Statues, applies, or the
parties have otherwise agreed to a different date. You should use the record existing at the time of this order for the basis of computing all child support obligations.
Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.996(a), Income Deduction Order (06/11)
What should I do next?
For this order to be effective, it must be signed by the judge. This form should be typed or printed in black ink. After completing this form, you must first send a copy to the other party or his or her attorney, if he or she is represented by an attorney, for approval or objection to the form before you send it to the judge assigned to your case. If the opposing party or his or her attorney, if represented, approves the form order, you may send the original proposed order and two copies to the judge assigned to your case with a letter telling the judge that you have first sent a copy of this proposed order to the opposing counsel or party, if unrepresented, and that they have no objection to the judge signing this order. If the other party or his or her attorney, if represented, has an objection to the proposed order as completed by you, you must tell the judge that you have sent a copy of this proposed order to the opposing party or his or her counsel, if represented, and that they specifically object to the entry of the proposed form Income Deduction Order. You must also send stamped self-addressed envelopes to the judge addressed to you and the opposing party or his or her attorney, if represented. You should keep a copy for your own records. If the judge signs the Income Deduction Order, the judge will mail you and the opposing party (or their attorney) copies of the signed order in the envelopes you provide to the court.
Where can I look for more information?
1efore#pro eedi g,#you#should#read# Ge eral#O for atio #for#~elf-zeprese ted#^itiga ts #fou d#at#the# beginning of these forms. The words that are in bold underline in these instructions are defined there. For further information see section 61.1301, Florida Statutes.
Special Instructions...
When the Income Deduction Order becomes effective (either immediately or delayed until arrearage), you must then also send a copy of the Income Deduction Order to the o ligo ’s#e plo e #alo g#with#a#
Notice to Payor, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.996(b), for the Income Deduction Order to take effect.
It is your responsibility to determine what extra steps and/or forms, if any, must be taken, supplied, and/or filed to insure the Income Deduction Order is implemented.
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, 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.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE _____________________ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,
IN AND FOR ______________________________ COUNTY, FLORIDA
Case No: ________________________
Division: ________________________
_________________________________,
Petitioner,
and
Respondent.
INCOME DEDUCTION ORDER (Non-Title IV-D Case)
TO:
ANY PRESENT OR SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYERS/PAYORS OF OBLIGOR
{name} ________________________________________________________
YOU ARE HEREBY ORDERED to make regular deductions from all income due and payable to the above-named obligor in accordance with the terms of this order as follows:
1.This Income Deduction Order shall be effective [Choose only one]
immediately.
upon a delinquency in the amount of $___________ ut#
ot#to#e
eed#o e#
o th’s#pa
e t,#
pursuant to the order establishing, enforcing, or modifying the obligation.
beginning {date} __________________.
2. You shall deduct:
$
per
__ for child support. Child support shall be automatically reduced or terminated
consistent with the schedule in paragraph 7.
for permanent alimony
for rehabilitative alimony
for
arrears totaling $
The deduction for arrears shall be no less than 20% of the current support obligation. After the full amount of any arrears is paid, you shall deduct for attorneys’#fees and costs owed until the full amount is paid.
for attorneys’#fees and costs totaling $
for State of Florida Disbursement Unit fee
(4% of each payment not to exceed $5.25 per payment)
Total amount of income to be deducted each pay period
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.996(a), Income Deduction Order (06/11)
3.コou#shall#pa #the#dedu ted#a ou t#to#the# ~tate#of#Flo ida#8is u se e t#ィ it ,#a d# ail#it#to#the#
State of Florida Disbursement Unit P.O. Box 8500, Tallahassee, FL 32314-8500, (tel.) (877) 769-0251.
All payments must include the o
ligo ’s#
a
e# last,#
iddle,#fi st ,#o ligo ’s#so
ial#se u it # u e ,
o ligee’s#
iddle, first), name of county where court order originated, and case number.
$ll#pa e
ts#
ust# e#
ade#
#
he k,#
o
e #o de ,#
ashie ’s# he k,# e tified#
he k,#o #th ough#the#
Internet with access provided by the State of Florida www.floridasdu.com. No credit will be given for any payments made directly to the obligee without a court order permitting direct payments.
4.If a delinquency accrues after the order establishing, modifying, or enforcing the obligation has been entered and there is no order for repayment of the delinquency or a preexisting arrearage, a payor
shall deduct an additional 20 percent of the current support obligation or other amount agreed to by the parties until the delinquency and any attorneys’#fees and costs are paid in full. No deduction may be applied to attorneys’#fees and costs until the delinquency is paid in full.
5.You shall not deduct in excess of the amounts allowed under the Consumer Credit Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. 1673(b), as amended.
6. You shall deduct ( Choose only one) ( ) the full amount, ( ) _____%, or ( ) none of the income
which is payable to the obligor in the form of a bonus or other similar one-time payment, up to the amount of arrearage reported in the Income Deduction Order or the remaining balance thereof, and forward the payment to the State of Florida Disbursement Unit. For purposes of this subparagraph,
ous #means a payment in addition to an obligor's usual compensation and which is in addition to any amounts contracted for or otherwise legally due and shall not include any commission payments due an obligor.
7.Child Support Reduction/Termination Schedule. Child support shall be automatically reduced or terminated as set forth in the following schedule:
Please list
Insert in this
Insert in
children
column the
this column
by initials
day, month,
the amount
from eldest to
and year the
of child
youngest
child support
support for
obligation
all minor
terminates for
each
remaining
designated
(including
child (see
instructions)
child).
Child 1 (Eldest) Initials & year of birth:
From the effective date of this Income Deduction Order UNTIL the following
date:
child support for Child 1 and all other younger child(ren) should be paid in the following monthly amount:
Child 2
After the date set
child support for Child 2 and
Initials & year
forth in the row
all other younger child(ren)
of birth:
above until the
should be paid in the
following date:
following monthly amount:
Child 3
child support for Child 3 and
Child 4
child support for Child 4 and
Child 5
child support for Child 5 and
(Continue on additional pages for additional children)
8.This Income Deduction Order shall remain in effect so long as the underlying order of support is effective or until further order of the court.
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9.The obligor is required to pay all amounts and fees specified within this Income Deduction Order.
10.The amounts deducted may not be in excess of that allowed under the Consumer Credit Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. §1673(b) as amended.
11.This income deduction order applies to all of the o ligo ’s# u e t#a d#su se ue t#pa o s#a d# periods of employment.
12.A copy of the Income Deduction Order will be served upon the o ligo ’s#payor or payors.
13.Enforcement of the Income Deduction Order may only be contested on the ground of mistake of fact regarding the amount owed pursuant to the order establishing, enforcing, or modifying the obligation, the arrearages, or the identity of the obligor, the payor, or the obligee.
14.The obligor is required to notify the obligee and, when the obligee is receiving IV-D services, the IV-D agency, within 7 days of any changes in the obligo ’s#add ess,#payors, and the addresses of the
o ligo ’s#pa o s.#
15.In a Title IV-D case, if an obligation to pay current support is reduced or terminated due to emancipation of a child and the obligor owes an arrearage, retroactive support, delinquency, or costs, income deduction continues at the rate in effect immediately prior to emancipation until all arrearages, retroactive support, delinquencies, and costs are paid in full or until the amount of withholding is modified.
ORDERED on_____________________________.
____________________________________
CIRCUIT JUDGE
COPIES TO:
Obligee
Obligor
Other: ____________________________________
Completing the Florida Order form requires careful attention to detail to ensure that all necessary information is accurately provided. Once the form is filled out, it will need to be approved by the other party or their attorney before being submitted to the judge. This process is crucial for the order to take effect.
After the judge reviews and signs the Income Deduction Order, copies will be mailed to both parties using the envelopes provided. It is essential to keep track of this process to ensure compliance and timely implementation of the order.
What is the purpose of the Florida Income Deduction Order form?
The Florida Income Deduction Order form is used when a court has ordered that support payments be made through income deductions. This is typically applicable in non-Title IV-D cases. The form allows the court to direct an obligor's employer to withhold a specified amount from the obligor's income to ensure that support payments are made to the obligee, the person entitled to receive those payments.
Who fills out the Income Deduction Order form?
The form is usually completed by the party requesting the income deduction, often the obligee or their attorney. It is important to fill out the form accurately, as it requires specific information about the support amount, payment frequency, and any arrears owed. The obligor, who is responsible for making the payments, is also involved in the process, particularly if there are objections to the proposed order.
What information is required on the form?
The form requires several key pieces of information. You must specify the effective date of the order, the amount of support to be deducted, and the frequency of those payments. Additionally, if there are arrears, you need to include those amounts and the payment frequency for them as well. The form also requires details about how the payments will be processed, including the service fee for the State Disbursement Unit.
What happens after the form is completed?
Once the form is filled out, it must be sent to the other party or their attorney for review. If there are no objections, you can then submit the original form and copies to the judge for approval. If there are objections, those must be communicated to the judge. It’s crucial to keep a copy of the completed form for your records.
How is the Income Deduction Order enforced?
The Income Deduction Order is enforced by the obligor's employer, who is required to withhold the specified amounts from the obligor's income. The employer must then send these amounts to the State Disbursement Unit. If the obligor fails to comply with the order, enforcement actions can be taken, but challenges to the order can only be based on factual mistakes regarding the amounts owed.
What if there are changes in the obligor's employment or address?
The obligor is required to notify the obligee and the IV-D agency, if applicable, within seven days of any changes to their employment or address. This ensures that the Income Deduction Order remains effective and that payments continue to be processed without interruption.
Where can I find more information about the Income Deduction Order?
For more details, you can refer to the General Information for Self-Represented Litigants section at the beginning of the Florida family law forms. Additionally, section 61.1301 of the Florida Statutes provides further guidance on income deduction orders and related processes.
Filling out the Florida Income Deduction Order form can be a straightforward process, but mistakes are common and can lead to complications. One of the most frequent errors is failing to check the appropriate effective date in Paragraph 1. This section requires the user to choose one of three options regarding when the order will take effect. If this choice is overlooked, it can cause delays in the enforcement of the order.
Another mistake involves inaccurately completing Paragraph 2, where the support payment amounts and time periods must be specified. Users often forget to match the terms with those stated in the original court order. This inconsistency can lead to disputes and might even require the form to be redone, wasting time and resources.
Many people also neglect to include any arrears owed at the time the Income Deduction Order is entered. Paragraph 3 requires that any past due amounts be clearly stated, along with the frequency of payments. Omitting this information can result in the obligor not being held accountable for overdue payments.
Completing Paragraph 6 is another area where errors frequently occur. This section asks for the percentage of any one-time payment that should go towards arrears. Users may miscalculate this percentage, which can complicate the payment process and create further misunderstandings between the parties involved.
Additionally, people often overlook the importance of Paragraph 7, which requires a schedule of child support payments. Failing to accurately list the amounts owed for each child and the termination dates can lead to confusion and disputes later on. It is crucial to ensure that all children are accounted for and that the correct termination dates are provided.
Another common mistake is not following the requirement to send a copy of the completed form to the other party or their attorney for approval before submitting it to the judge. This step is essential, as it ensures that both parties are aware of the order and can address any objections prior to court submission.
Lastly, individuals often forget to keep a copy of the completed form for their own records. This oversight can be problematic if any issues arise later, as having documentation of what was submitted is vital for reference. Keeping a personal copy ensures that all parties can verify the details of the order when necessary.
The Florida Order form is a crucial document in family law cases, particularly for establishing income deduction for support obligations. Several other forms accompany this order to ensure a smooth legal process. Below is a list of these related documents, each serving a specific purpose in the context of family law proceedings.
These documents work in tandem with the Florida Order form to facilitate the enforcement of support obligations and ensure compliance with court orders. Understanding each form's role can significantly impact the outcome of family law cases.
When filling out the Florida Order form, consider the following guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance:
Understanding the Florida Income Deduction Order can be challenging, and several misconceptions often arise. Here are six common misunderstandings about this form:
Clarifying these misconceptions can help individuals navigate the process more effectively and ensure that their rights and obligations are understood.
Understanding the Florida Order Form is crucial for ensuring that child support payments are handled correctly. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind when filling out and using the Income Deduction Order form:
By following these steps, you can help ensure that the Income Deduction Order is processed smoothly and effectively. Always refer to the specific guidelines provided in the form for additional details and requirements.