Florida Divorce Forms and Papers | PDF | Word
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Florida divorce papers allow for divorcing without an attorney assumes that both spouses do, in fact, want to divorce, and are in general agreement as to the terms and conditions of the proposed divorce.
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To file for divorce in Florida, one or both spouses must have been a Florida resident for at least 6 months Officially, the process takes between 4 and 6 months, but in some counties, it can actually be much faster if there are no complications. Only one of the spouses needs to initiate the process by actually filing for the divorce. If you are going to assume that role, in Florida, the first step is to download a packet of forms available from the state.
Instructions to Divorce in Florida without a Lawyer
About half of the forms are only necessary if the marriage has produced minor children, and they can be ignored if the marriage is childless. The current cost for filing is $408, but be prepared to pay a bit extra if necessary, because some counties have initiated extra filing fees of their own.
Within 20 days of filing the forms, you must take action to serve you spouse with these forms, specifically including the Answer, the Waiver, the Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, and the Process Service Memorandum and the Summons. You can employ a private service to do this, or you can engage the Sheriff’s Department.
It is important to note that Florida is rather strict about the 20-day limit. If you haven’t had the papers served within that time, the entire fee of $408 or more is forfeit. If there are minor children, you will have filled out all the extra forms as described earlier, and now both you and your spouse will have to attend mandatory Parental Education Classes (See Approved Classes). You will be informed of approved classes by inquiring at the County Clerk’s Office.
After the twenty (20) days have passed, you will be able to schedule your court hearing with the County Clerk’s Office. One you are notified of the date, you will need to communicate the information to your spouse via the Notice of Hearing. Generally, this is done by standard mail, and with a few reminder phone calls to make sure of your spouse’s awareness and to insure his or her attendance at the hearing.
In Florida, it’s a good idea to call the Clerk’s Office now and then during the process to make sure you have correctly filled all the necessary forms and that there is nothing either amiss or anything that you have neglected.
When you go to the hearing, if there are children involved, make sure you bring the Final Judgment of Dissolution With or Without Dependent or Minor Children (Forms; With & Without). At the hearing, if everything is to the Judges satisfaction, he or she will sign the Judgment form, and you will be officially divorced.
Individual Forms
- Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Marital Settlement Agreement
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