Florida divorce proceedings are costly, especially in the U.S. If you decide to get divorced while living in Florida, you can expect your attorney fees to make it difficult for you to separate for many years. This manual will show you how to file for divorce in Florida without an attorney.
However, this should be done after identifying what difficulties may arise from such an act. The other things that one has to do include deciding the designated properties and taking care of the child involved. In addition, the state government of Florida charges parents with burdensome monthly childcare bills on behalf of their children.
How to File for Divorce in Florida Without an Attorney 2025
Filing for divorce without a lawyer usually involves the following steps.
Step 1: Florida Residency Requirements: The Basics for Divorce Seekers
The very first condition necessary, if you are going for an easy divorce, is that both of you must be residents in the State of Florida for not less than 6 months. This period gives a court jurisdiction over your matter.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Grounds for Your Case
And also, No-fault divorce is not to be chosen in Florida state. This implies that you cannot fix things between you and your partner without condemning him/her or saying that I am right and he/she is wrong.
Step 3: Collecting Financial Documents
Collecting financial documents is another important aspect of the divorce process. They will help you and your spouse assess your financial situation and make good decisions on how to divide your assets and debts.
So now, a list of financial documents should be prepared for you as they are relevant throughout the process of divorce. In a normal divorce, these documents are prepared by your lawyer within a particular period.
Some of the financial documents you may need to gather are:
- Retirement account statements
- Property appraisals
- Mortgage statements
- Income documents, such as pay slips, W-2 forms, and tax returns
- Credit card statements
- Car loan statements
- Bank statements
- Investment statements
- Insurance policies
- Debt statements
- Business records (if you have one)
Once these papers have been completed successfully, more can always be collected to confirm one’s marital status. Other additional information could include the birth certificates of the children for instance.
Step 4: Child Custody and Support
The most affected and complex situation after a marriage fails is child care. Therefore, the court might want to know who will be responsible for caring for the child’s expenses. Thus, you or your spouse should be ready mentally to take part in paying the child support.
Step 5: Mediation Consideration
Instead of going to court, mediation is an advantageous option as far as conflicts about assets, money, and childcare are concerned.
Step 6: Filling Out Divorce Forms without Attorney
Download divorce forms from the Court’s website, for example, divorce application, financial statement, and agreement with your spouse among others.
Step 7: Filing the Forms
Take completed forms to the clerk at the county where either you or your partner resides. If you need a waiver because your income is too low pay the filing fee.
Step 8: Serving the Spouse
The person responsible for delivering your spouse copies of documents filed by you could be a professional service or even a law enforcement officer.
Step 9: Waiting Period
20 days is considered as a minimum period to wait. This means that before a judge can dissolve the marriage, you have to wait for twenty days after filing your divorce petition.
Step 10: Attending the Final Hearing
To finalize your divorce, you should go for a hearing before a judge. The court will assess the terms of your divorce settlement to make sure that they are reasonable and fair. A Final Order of Dissolution of Marriage will be signed by the judge if he or she agrees with the agreement. This is the document that officially terminates your marriage.
How to File for Divorce With a Child Involved
When you have children, it can be difficult to file for divorce in Florida without an attorney. The instructions and advice below will help you go through the process effectively.
- To begin with, you must fill out a document called Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and submit it to the county clerk. The Florida Courts website has this form.
- The Petition has also to be delivered unto your spouse. A sheriff or process server that you hire can personally serve the documents on your spouse. Once they receive the petition, the partner gets 20 days to answer.
- If your spouse does not reply or if you both agree on everything, then you can easily complete your divorce. You will need to attend a hearing with a judge who will review your divorce agreement and make sure that it is fair in all respects. If a judge agrees, he/she will sign a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage which is an official termination of the marriage.
- If you and your spouse cannot agree, then your case goes to trial. This involves each party speaking before the judge who will decide what happens concerning the issues in their marriage dissolution.
If you are considering divorcing in Florida and have a child, here are some important thoughts:
Before taking any legal steps, ensure that you understand the implications divorce will have on your life and that of your children. Even if you do not wish to hire them for the entire process, this could mean talking to an attorney who can offer advice.
The court must be given copies of all documents about your divorce such as your financial affidavit, settlement agreement with your spouse, and final judgment of dissolution of marriage.
For instance, if there is no mutual agreement between you and your partner, then finding a middle ground may be necessary. Even when adopting the simplest methods of divorce it still takes time to get one hence one should not rush.
Whereas you may need to seek out legal advice to clear doubts or address concerns on how to file for divorce in Florida without an attorney involving minor kids; a lawyer can help you understand what rights and choices lie before you when negotiating with a former spouse during this period.
Below are some other tips to consider while completing the divorce petition in Florida if you have a child:
- First and foremost, put the interests of your child on top. Take for example the case where a parent is supposed to opt for the best alternative that may not appeal to him/her but will be beneficial to his/her child.
- Inform your child about your divorce. Open up to them concerning this issue and also respond to their queries.
- Your kid needs some adjustment time after experiencing life transitions.
- If you or your kid require further assistance regarding counseling as a result of a breakup, then it will be prudent for you to consult any therapist. You need to bear in mind that although divorce can be painful and difficult, you aren’t going through it alone. In this regard, there are multiple sources of support available for both you and your child during this process.
Forms You Need
Filling out the correct forms is a crucial step to simplify your divorce. All forms related to divorce in Florida are available on the court website. Fill them out carefully because you cannot change them after filing. If you need help with the documents, you can hire a paralegal who can assist you without being a lawyer. By doing this, you can reduce legal costs.
Risks Of a Divorce Without a Lawyer
When you hire a lawyer for your divorce, it can make the process less complicated and stressful. They can inform you about all the Florida divorce laws and how they affect your rights and obligations. For example, they may give you advice on how to share custody, child support, and alimony, and divide marital property and debts.
FAQs
1. What Is A Wife Entitled To In A Divorce?
A wife could be given alimony, pension benefits, and a fair share of properties as well as debts after the divorce. The specific amount depends upon factors such as the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions, and their financial needs.
2. Who Gets The House After A Divorce In Florida?
The court divides the house to some extent, but only equally if it is owned by one spouse alone. The court may order the home to be:
- Awarded to one spouse
- Make an order for one spouse to purchase the other
- Sell the home and divide the proceeds.
3. How To File For Divorce In Florida For Free?
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get divorced in Florida is through a simplified dissolution of marriage. Otherwise, you can do an uncontested case that you file yourself online or with court-approved forms.
4. How Long Do You Have To Be Separated To Get A Divorce In The State Of Florida?
Florida allows divorces without waiting periods. However, there are exceptions for cases of mental illness, where either party has been insane for at least 3 years, or there has been a finding of incapacity made at least 3 years earlier while married.
Conclusion
It’s possible to file for divorce in Florida without an attorney with good preparations for the documents. Each situation is unique, the best legal advice should be taken from reliable sources or professionals.
