how to get a divorce without a lawyer in florida

How to File for Divorce in Florida Without an Attorney.

• 1. Meet Florida Residency Requirements for Divorce.
• 2. Get a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
• 3. Sign and Submit the Petition.
• 4. Deliver a Petition Copy to Your Spouse.
• 5. Finalize Florida Marital Settlement Agreement.
• 6. Attend A Divorce Hearing.
• 7. File the Final Disposition with the Clerk.

Full Answer

Can I get divorced without a lawyer in Florida?

To do it properly, you need to know what the steps to getting a divorce in Florida are and which obstacles you might encounter on the way. Table of Contents 1. Meet Florida Residency Requirements for Divorce 2. Get a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage 3. Sign and Submit the Petition 4. Deliver a Petition Copy to Your Spouse 5.

Should you get a divorce without a lawyer?

The first step is to make sure your marriage qualifies for divorce in Florida. The state is one of many that has removed fault as a necessary grounds for divorce. Instead, it must only be proved that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," though fault can still be used in the division of assets and assigning alimony if the divorce goes to court.

How to do your own divorce without a lawyer?

In Florida, a divorce is referred to as a dissolution of marriage. While it’s legally possible to file for a dissolution on your own, it is not necessarily advised in all situations. If you and your spouse have no children and very few assets, some attorneys may recommend you file on your own — especially in cases where you and your spouse are on friendly terms.

Can I go through a divorce without an attorney?

Mar 10, 2022 · Summary: File for Divorce in Florida without a Lawyer How to file for divorce in florida without an attorney. Filing for divorce is commonly depicted as a long legal issue with lawyers for both sides battling in the courts. Nonetheless, divorces can be carried out without attorneys included as long as bo … Match with the search results ...

Can you divorce in Florida without an attorney?

You are not required to have a lawyer to get a divorce in Florida. However, if you have questions about your case, or you and your spouse do not agree on the divorce, then you need to talk to a lawyer. ... The court is not allowed to answer questions about your case or to give advice about your rights.

How long do you have to be separated in the state of Florida to get a divorce?

Florida Statute 61.021 answers our question succinctly, “To obtain a dissolution of marriage, one of the parties to the marriage must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition.” Read carefully.Mar 10, 2018

Can you get divorced in Florida without going to court?

Florida divorce law provides a process called a 'Simplified Dissolution of Marriage. ' Couples can use this to get a quick divorce, about 30 days from filing to finalization, as long as they have complete agreement on the terms of the divorce and it's uncontested.

How much does it cost to file divorce in Florida?

The filing fee for divorce in Florida is around $408-$409, and it's paid directly to the court when you file the paperwork. There may be additional minor fees for copy-making, and some counties might charge you about $12-15 for self-representation.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Florida?

In Florida, property is divided 50-50 if it is considered “marital property” – or property that was acquired by either spouse during the marriage. Non-marital property, which is property either spouse acquired before the marriage, is not divided equally.

Is online divorce legal in Florida?

Florida allows the use of online divorce services to complete the paperwork required for an uncontested divorce. There are several different kinds of divorce in the state, some of which online divorce is ideal for.

Can I get a divorce without my spouse knowing?

Now, though, it's possible to file for divorce even when you don't know where your spouse is. The only catch is that you can't get a divorce without at least attempting to formally notify your spouse about the proceedings.

How do I get an abandonment divorce in Florida?

To prove abandonment in a divorce, one party has the burden of proving that the other party abandoned the marriage for a period of 12 consecutive months. The abandonment must also be willful or malicious, with no chance of the parties reuniting and staying married.

How do I get a divorce if my husband refuses in Florida?

If your spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers, contact a Florida divorce attorney immediately. He or she can help you with drawing up the divorce papers and filing them with the court. Your divorce lawyer can also help you with other matters related to your divorce and child custody.

How do I start a divorce in Florida?

You begin by filing either a Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage or a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the Circuit Court. In the simplified procedure, or an uncontested divorce procedure if you have children), you, and maybe your spouse, will be need to attend a court hearing.Oct 27, 2021

How can I get a divorce for free?

Legal Aid Divorce Help Call your city or state bar association to ask for contact information or do an internet search to find them. These organizations provide no-cost (and also low-cost) legal assistance. If you are indigent, they may represent you at no cost and will file all fee waiver papers on your behalf.

What are the requirements for divorce in Florida?

Couples who meet all the following requirements may file for a simplified dissolution:both agree the marriage can't be saved.there are no minor (under 18) or dependent children, and no children are expected.neither spouse is seeking alimony.both spouses have agreed to a written settlement dividing assets and debts, and.More items...

Why Divorce without a Lawyer Is Almost Always a Bad Idea

If you are wondering whether you can get a divorce without an attorney, you are probably worried about money. I understand your concern but let me illustrate why I think DIY divorces are a bad idea.

The Paperwork Has to Be Accurate and Filed on Time

Do you know which forms you need to submit when filing for divorce? Do you know the timeline that you need to follow? Attorneys who practice family law and have years of experience are familiar with the paperwork that the courts require. They know how to get things done the right way the first time.

Florida Divorce Can Be More Complicated Than You Think

While you can get a divorce without a lawyer in Florida, you might want to think twice about going that route if you don’t want to spend countless hours trying to navigate the system so that you don’t make a costly mistake. The truth is that there are many different things that you will have to consider when going through a divorce.

1. Determine whether you qualify to file for and obtain a divorce in Florida

Before taking next steps, make sure you meet the state's qualification requirements. In general, you or your spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months before you begin the process.

2. Complete and file a petition for dissolution

A couple begins by filing a petition with the county court. If you qualify for the simplified process, complete a Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage ( Form 12.901 (a) ). Read the form carefully and provide all required information. Type your responses or print them in black ink.

3. File an application to have your fees waived

Each Florida county publishes fee schedules for filing petitions and other documents. The Florida state legislature sets these fees every year. For example, as of December 2018, the fee for filing a petition for divorce in Miami-Dade County is $409. The spouse initiating the filing must also pay an additional $10 summons fee.

4. Attend all required court hearings

The court may schedule a hearing before approving or denying your fee waiver request. Attend all scheduled hearings and provide additional information requested by the court.

What Is Due Diligence When Trying To Find the Absent Spouse?

To prove that you have tried everything in your power to locate your spouse, you will need to:

Found Your Spouse? File for an Uncontested Divorce!

If all goes well and you locate your spouse, the chances are that they’ll want to get a divorce as well.

Make a Divorce Settlement Agreement With DoNotPay

If you want a divorce settlement agreement that covers all the necessary items and statements for your uncontested divorce, turn to DoNotPay for help. Our app will handle the process in a fast and simple manner. You only have to complete four simple steps:

DoNotPay Has More Information About the Divorce Process

Take a look at the table below to see the common questions about getting a divorce and the state-specific process in Florida:

Work Smarter, Not Harder!

Although there are certain tasks that are a pain but can’t be avoided, such as paying your property taxes, you don’t have to do them the hard way. There is always a way to make the overbearing bureaucratic procedures a bit easier. DoNotPay can find a loophole and help you cut through the red tape!