How to File for Divorce
in Florida

Grounds for Divorce

Grounds for divorce are legal regulations created to specify the circumstances that have led to divorce. Each state has its own list of grounds that can serve as reasons for marriage dissolution.

There are two types of grounds for divorce:

• No-fault based
• Fault-based

No-Fault Grounds

Florida is strictly a no-fault state. It means that the divorce process can be initiated by simply stating that the marriage is irretrievably broken and there is no chance of repairing it. However, this is not the only possible way to begin the dissolution of marriage.

Mental illness can work as the grounds for divorce in Florida as well. Still, there are some strict rules regarding such a serious allegation.

The filing side, also known as the petitioner, must provide evidence in court that their partner has been mentally ill for 3 years before the start of the divorce process. Moreover, the petitioner must send a notice of the divorce to the mentally incapacitated spouse’s closest relative.

The state of Florida does not recognize grounds beyond irretrievable breakdown and mental incapacity.

Fault Grounds

The typical list of fault-based grounds for divorce in most states includes:

• Adultery
• Habitual drunkenness or other additions
• Voluntary desertion
• Cruelty toward partner and/or children

Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that these grounds are not recognized. However, if the petitioner provides solid evidence regarding such at-fault reasons as cruelty or adultery, the judge can consider them when deciding child custody or property division in a contested case.

How to File an Uncontested Divorce in Florida

An uncontested divorce means that both parties have resolved their differences. A case is uncontested if the following requirements are met:

• Both spouses agree on the divorce method;
• At least one of the spouses meets residency requirements;
• Spouses reach an agreement regarding the distribution of assets and debts and child-related issues;
• Partners agree that their marriage is broken beyond repair.

To begin, a petitioner must fill out the required divorce papers. The basic document package aims to provide the court with relevant information regarding grounds for divorce and conditions established by the partners.

Here is a list of forms for an uncontested divorce:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (depending on the case):
  Simplified Petition
  Petition with Property
  Petition without Property
• Financial Affidavit
• Marital Settlement Agreement
• Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of a Final Judgment
• Answer
• Notice of Social Security Number
• Summons
• Petition for Support

The list of papers for couples with children is different:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Children
• Family Law Financial Affidavit (Short Form)
• Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Affidavit
• Marital Settlement Agreement for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Children
• Marital Settlement Agreement for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
• Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
• Answer to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Children
• Petition for Support and Parenting Plan Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Children

After filling out the forms, they can be filed with the local circuit court clerk.

Simplified Dissolution of Marriage

Florida allows for a simplified dissolution procedure. This option is applicable for couples who have no children and agree that their marriage can’t be saved.

There is a list of other requirements for a simplified procedure:

• Spouses have worked out the division of property and liabilities while accepting the loss of property if one of the partners does not go through with the agreement;
• Neither partner wants alimony;
• They are willing to give up their rights to trial and appeal;
• Both spouses are willing to voluntarily go to the circuit clerk’s office to sign the petition (it is not necessary to sign it together);
• Both partners are willing to voluntarily attend the final hearing together.

E-Filing

The state of Florida has been working on creating an e-filing platform to connect users within the court system. The process began back in 2008 with the legislature mandating electronic filing. The Supreme Court’s set of standards was approved in 2009. Finally, the Supreme Court approved the option of e-filing for divorce in the state.

E-filing portal has several benefits for partners who want to simplify their divorce:

• The platform is available 24/7, meaning that it is possible to access it at any time;
• It allows users to file their cases without having to go to the court;
• The portal makes the filing process less costly by allowing users to save money on postal and/or courier services. But it doesn’t void filing fees.

DIY

Do-it-yourself divorce in Florida is rather straightforward. It begins with a talk. Both partners should discuss their differences and settle things such as child custody, spousal support, etc.

After getting on the same page, the petitioner can begin the divorce process by filling out and filing the necessary forms with the local circuit clerk or using the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

All the divorce papers are available for free at the Florida Courts Self-Help Center, meaning that a DIY divorce is an option for couples who want to avoid paying divorce lawyers. However, filling out divorce forms completely independently can take much time and energy as spouses without legal backgrounds find it challenging to understand legal terms.

Without a Lawyer

An uncontested divorce allows partners to save a lot of money on attorneys, who charge an hourly rate that can ramp up the cost of divorce to $6,000-10,000 dollars.

However, going through a contested divorce without a lawyer can be tricky. In this case, spouses need a professional who knows all the ins and outs of the divorce process and will protect their rights.

How to File a Contested Divorce

Divorce becomes contested and much more complicated if both parties can’t agree on important issues, including spousal support, property division, child custody, etc.

The first thing is to find a divorce attorney who will represent one’s interests in the court during a contested divorce. A professional lawyer is often a key to winning a case.

The next step is to file a divorce petition. The petitioner has to file for the divorce with the local county court and properly serve the papers to the respondent.

It is required to make several copies of the divorce documents. One batch of copies stays with the petitioner, another stays with the court, and the last is served to the responding party.

A contested divorce is accompanied by the “discovery process.” This step is important to both parties as the divorce should be as fair as possible. That is why divorce attorneys represent each spouse - to defend their interests and avoid unfair requests.

The next step in the contested divorce in Florida is mediation. State law requires both parties to attend mandatory mediation during the divorce proceedings. If spouses can’t reach an agreement during this stage of divorce, they move to the next step - court trial.

A contested divorce is often accompanied by numerous court appearances. If partners and their attorneys can’t find common ground, the judge takes matters into their hands and decides the terms of the marriage dissolution.

Filing Fees

Filing the papers is not free in the state of Florida. Filing fees can vary depending on the county where the petitioner is proceeding with the divorce, but they are around $400.

However, the petitioner can request a waiver and file for free. To do it, they need to provide concrete evidence of financial inability to handle filing fees. It requires showing financial documentation to the circuit court clerk’s office.

Serving Documents

Florida law prohibits personal service, and spouses should consider this during a contested divorce. Instead, a petitioner can go several ways:

• Hire a local sheriff to serve the papers to a petitioner;
• Hire a private process server to do the task;
• Have an attorney serve the papers.

If the defendant does not respond to the petitioner’s service within 20 days, the divorce process continues “by default.”