You can file for a divorce without a lawyer in Florida by using the state’s free standardized court forms and choosing between two do-it-yourself paths: a simplified dissolution for couples who meet strict eligibility rules, and a regular uncontested dissolution for everyone else who agrees on the terms. Both paths run through the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where either spouse lives, and both end with a short hearing before a judge.1Florida State Courts. Dissolution of Marriage
Which Path Fits Your Situation
Simplified dissolution is the fastest route, but you and your spouse must meet every one of these conditions:2Escambia County Clerk, FL. Divorce / Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
- You have no minor or dependent children together, and the wife is not pregnant.
- Neither of you is asking for alimony.
- You have a written agreement dividing all marital assets and debts.
- Both of you agree the marriage is irretrievably broken and both consent to the simplified process.
- At least one spouse has lived in Florida for six months before filing.
- Both of you are willing to appear together at the final hearing.
Miss one and the simplified path is off the table. You do not need a lawyer, though; you switch to a regular Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, which handles children, alimony, and property, and can still be finished on your own as long as you both ultimately agree on the terms.
One tradeoff to know before choosing simplified: you give up your right to a trial and your right to appeal. If you have any lingering doubt about the financial picture, the regular process gives you more room to protect yourself.
Forms to Complete
Every form you need is free on the Florida Courts self-help site.
Simplified Dissolution
The core document is the Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, which both spouses sign together.3Florida State Courts. Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Each spouse files a Family Law Financial Affidavit, and you file your written Marital Settlement Agreement dividing assets and debts.
Regular Uncontested Dissolution
One spouse files the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage; the other files an Answer agreeing to the terms. If you are cooperating from the start, you can file jointly. Alongside the petition:
- A Family Law Financial Affidavit from each spouse, disclosing income, monthly expenses, assets, and debts. The affidavit itself can never be waived.413th Judicial Circuit. Waiver of Mandatory Disclosure
- A Marital Settlement Agreement covering who gets which assets, who takes which debts, and any alimony.
- A Parenting Plan if you have minor children, covering time-sharing, decision-making, and communication.
- A Child Support Guidelines Worksheet if children are involved, calculating support based on both parents’ net incomes and overnight time-sharing.5Florida Courts. Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
Errors and missing information are the most common reason self-represented filers get sent back to redo paperwork, which adds weeks. Fill each form out slowly.
Financial Disclosure and When You Can Waive It
Florida rules normally require both spouses to exchange tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and other financial records. When you already agree on everything and are satisfied that you understand each other’s finances, both of you can sign a Waiver of Mandatory Disclosure to skip that exchange, in full or in part.413th Judicial Circuit. Waiver of Mandatory Disclosure
Two things do not change with a waiver. The Financial Affidavit is still required from each spouse. And the judge keeps the authority to ask for more documents before signing off, especially if the settlement looks lopsided.
Filing, Fees, and Serving Your Spouse
File your completed forms with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where either spouse lives. You can file in person or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Filing fees generally range from about $300 to $410 depending on the county. If you cannot afford the fee, file an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status; the clerk reviews your income and assets and can waive or defer the fee.
In a simplified dissolution, there is no service issue because both of you sign the joint petition. In a regular dissolution, if one spouse files alone, the other must be formally served. You cannot hand the papers over yourself. Service is usually done by a sheriff’s deputy or a certified private process server, typically for $35 to $100. A cooperating spouse can sign a Notice of Service or waive formal service, which saves time and money. Once served, your spouse has 20 days to file an Answer.
Extra Steps When Children Are Involved
Florida courts add two requirements to any divorce with minor children.
First, the Parenting Plan and Child Support Guidelines Worksheet both have to be filed. The judge will not finalize the case without reviewing the child support calculation, even when you both agree on a number.5Florida Courts. Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
Second, both parents must complete a four-hour Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families. In-person and online formats are both accepted, and approved online courses typically cost about $25 to $75. File the certificate of completion with the court. Without both certificates on file, the judge will not sign the final judgment.
The Final Hearing
Both paths end with a short hearing. In a simplified dissolution, both spouses attend together; the judge reviews the paperwork, confirms your agreement, and asks whether the marriage is irretrievably broken.2Escambia County Clerk, FL. Divorce / Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Hearings are typically scheduled within a few weeks of filing, though timing depends on your county’s court calendar.
In a regular uncontested divorce, once the answer and all supporting documents are in, the hearing works much the same way. If children are involved, the judge reviews the Parenting Plan and support worksheet against the children’s interests. The judge may ask how you arrived at your agreement, particularly if the split looks uneven. When satisfied, the judge signs the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, which ends the marriage and makes your settlement enforceable.6The 2025 Florida Statutes. Florida Statutes 61.052 – Dissolution of Marriage
Restoring a Former Name
If you want your maiden name back, include the request in your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage when you first file. Florida courts restore only a maiden name through the divorce, not a different former married name or a new name.715th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Post Dissolution Name Change Information At the hearing, be ready to spell it clearly for the judge so it appears correctly in the final judgment.
Once the judgment is signed, order certified copies from the clerk’s office within 30 days. You will need them to update your name with the Social Security Administration, the DMV, your bank, and anywhere else your married name is on file.