Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.370

RULE 12.370

REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION

(a) Request for Admission.

(1) Service of Request. A party may serve on any other

party a written request for the admission of the truth of any matters

within the scope of rule 12.280(c), set forth in the request that

relate to statements or opinions of fact or of the application of law

to fact, including the genuineness of any documents described in

the request. The request and any response must comply with

Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.425.

Copies of documents must be served with the request unless they

have been or are otherwise furnished or made available for

inspection and copying. However, documents attached to the

request for admission may not be filed with the court and may only

be attached to the copy served on the party to whom the request for

admission is directed. Without leave of court the request may be

served on the petitioner after commencement of the action and on

any other party with or after service of the process and initial

pleading on that party.

-- 112 of 215 --

Family Law Rules of Procedure October 1, 2025 113

(2) Limit on Number of Requests. The request for

admission may not exceed 30 requests, including all subparts,

unless the court permits a larger number on motion and notice and

for good cause, or the parties propounding and responding to the

requests stipulate to a larger number. Each matter of which an

admission is requested must be separately set forth.

(3) Answer or Objection to Request. The matter is

admitted unless the party to whom the request is directed serves on

the party requesting the admission a written answer or objection

addressed to the matter within 30 days after service of the request

or such shorter or longer time as the court may allow but, unless

the court shortens the time, a respondent will not be required to

serve answers or objections before the expiration of 45 days after

service of the process and initial pleading on the respondent. If

objection is made, the reasons must be stated. The answer must

specifically deny the matter or set forth in detail the reasons why

the answering party cannot truthfully admit or deny the matter. A

denial must fairly meet the substance of the requested admission,

and when good faith requires that a party qualify an answer or deny

only a part of the matter of which an admission is requested, the

party must specify so much of it as is true and qualify or deny the

remainder. An answering party may not give lack of information or

knowledge as a reason for failure to admit or deny unless that party

states that that party has made reasonable inquiry and that the

information known or readily obtainable by that party is insufficient

to enable that party to admit or deny. A party who considers that a

matter of which an admission has been requested presents a

genuine issue for trial may not object to the request on that ground

alone; the party may deny the matter or set forth reasons why the

party cannot admit or deny it, subject to rule 12.380(c).

(4) Motion to Determine Sufficiency of Answers or

Objections. The party who has requested the admissions may move

to determine the sufficiency of the answers or objections. Unless the

court determines that an objection is justified, it must order that an

answer be served. If the court determines that an answer does not

comply with the requirements of this rule, it may order either that

the matter is admitted or that an amended answer be served.

-- 113 of 215 --

Family Law Rules of Procedure October 1, 2025 114

Instead of these orders the court may determine that final

disposition of the request be made at a pretrial conference or at a

designated time before trial. The provisions of rule 12.380(a)(4)

apply to the award of expenses incurred in relation to the motion.

(b) Effect of Admission. Any matter admitted under this

rule is conclusively established unless the court on motion permits

withdrawal or amendment of the admission. Subject to rule 12.200

governing amendment of a pretrial order, the court may permit

withdrawal or amendment when the presentation of the merits of

the action will be subserved by it and the party who obtained the

admission fails to satisfy the court that withdrawal or amendment

will prejudice that party in maintaining an action or defense on the

merits. Any admission made by a party under this rule is for the

purpose of the pending action only and is not an admission for any

other purpose nor may it be used against that party in any other

proceeding.