How to File for Divorce in Florida Without an Attorney
If you live in Florida and are considering filing for divorce, you may be able to file without an attorney. There are certain conditions that must be met. As of this writing, this is what you must do to file for divorce in Florida.
Note: I am not a lawyer, and this information is not legal advice. This is information I gleaned from personal research.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Your social security number
- Your children's social security numbers
- up-to-date voter's registration card or official Florida ID or Florida driver's license or testimony or affidavit that proves your Florida residence
Instructions
-
-
1
Make sure you meet the grounds for divorce. You must have lived in Florida for at least 6 months prior to filing for divorce. And either your marriage must be irretrievably broken or either you or your spouse must be considered to have mental incapacity for three years.
-
2
Come to an agreement with your spouse on all arrangements and mutually establish that the divorce is uncontested. Discuss with your spouse and come to an agreement about how all your property will be distributed. Discuss and agree with your spouse who gets the children, if you have them. Eliminate the idea of alimony.
Why is all this agreement necessary? When you file without a lawyer, any complicating issues or bones of contention usually become more than most people can handle without legal representation. And if you want a fast divorce without hiring an attorney, you will need to make sure your situation doesn't disqualify you - see Step 4.
-
-
3
Sign a joint petition with your spouse for a dissolution of marriage. You can file divorce papers online if you prefer to use a company that gives you a questionnaire and completes the forms for you.
-
4
Appear with your spouse at the court hearing. A fast and simple divorce will not be granted if you have or are expecting to have kids. For a quick, easy divorce without a divorce lawyer, the case mustn't go to trial and neither you nor your spouse must appeal the dissolution of marriage.
-
1
More Like This
Comments
View all 9 Comments-
if all things are agreed upon but she lives in ohio and I live here and we have been apart for 3 years can I file here or do I have to go there? can I file without a lawyer we have no kids no nothing together we only lived together for a week and was only married 3 years? can anyone give some advice? (asking for a friend).
-
ok.. anything to get this done.. im so tired of being tied to this pos...and in the divorce decree im going to have him release righte to his son.. MY son.. hes a real piece of work and when i said HATE this man its so doesnt even touch it its as nice and i can be..
-
I had to do that for family court like 8 years ago. You may want to call and verify that the law has not changed.
-
indeed..
-
yup, if his last known is around here
