Family Law Resources

Filing for Divorce in Florida

Residency Requirements

At least one spouse must have been a resident of Florida for 6 months before filing. Residency can be proven by driver's license, voter registration, or affidavit.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Determine type: Simplified Dissolution (no children, agreement) or Regular Dissolution


2. Complete forms: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and related documents


3. File with Circuit Court: Submit to clerk in county where either spouse lives


4. Pay filing fee: Approximately $400-$410


5. Serve your spouse: Personal service or service by mail (if spouse waives)


6. Wait for response: Spouse has 20 days to respond


7. Financial disclosures: Both parties must file financial affidavits


8. Parenting course: Required if children involved


9. Final hearing: Attend hearing and submit final judgment

Grounds for Divorce

Florida is a pure no-fault divorce state. The only ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."

Florida Court Structure

Family law cases in Florida are heard in Circuit Court. Florida has 67 counties organized into 20 judicial circuits. Each circuit has a family law division.

Major County Courts

Miami-Dade County (11th Circuit)

Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse

175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128

(305) 349-7001

Broward County (17th Circuit)

Broward County Courthouse

201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

(954) 831-7740

Palm Beach County (15th Circuit)

Palm Beach County Courthouse

205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

(561) 355-2996

Hillsborough County (13th Circuit - Tampa)

George E. Edgecomb Courthouse

800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602

(813) 276-8100

Orange County (9th Circuit - Orlando)

Orange County Courthouse

425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801

(407) 836-2000

Duval County (4th Circuit - Jacksonville)

Duval County Courthouse

501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

(904) 255-2000

Find Your Court

Florida Courts directory: flcourts.org

E-Filing

Florida requires electronic filing through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: myflcourtaccess.com

E-filing is mandatory for attorneys and available for self-represented parties.

Family Law Self-Help

Most Florida courts have Self-Help Centers with:

• Free forms (Florida Supreme Court Approved Forms)


• Instructions and videos


• Referrals to legal aid

Florida Courts Self-Help: flcourts.org/self-help

Filing Fees in Florida

Current Fee Schedule (2025)

• Petition for Dissolution: $400-$410


• Simplified Dissolution: $400-$410


• Answer/Counter-Petition: $295-$310


• Motion to Modify: $50-$75


• Paternity/Child Support: $300-$310

Civil Indigent Status

If you cannot afford fees, you can apply for Civil Indigent Status using the Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status. You may qualify if:

• You receive public assistance (TANF, SSI, Medicaid)


• Your income is less than or equal to 200% of federal poverty guidelines

Other Costs

• Process server: $40-$100


• Parent education course: $25-$50


• Mediation: Court-ordered often low-cost; private $200-$400/hour

Florida Legal Aid Organizations

Florida Legal Services

Statewide hotline: (888) 960-1720

floridalegal.org

Legal Aid Service of Broward County

(954) 765-8950

legalaid.org

Legal Services of Greater Miami

(305) 576-0080

lsgmi.org

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida

(407) 841-7777

clsmf.org

Bay Area Legal Services (Tampa)

(813) 232-1343

bfrls.org

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid

(904) 356-8371

jaxlegalaid.org

Statewide Resources

Florida Courts Self-Help Center

Free approved forms and instructions

flcourts.org/self-help

Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service

(800) 342-8011

$25 for 30-minute consultation

FloridaLawHelp.org

Find legal aid and self-help resources

floridalawyershelp.org

Law School Clinics

• University of Miami School of Law - Family Law Clinic


• Florida State University College of Law - Family Law Clinic


• University of Florida Levin College of Law - Family Law Clinic


• Nova Southeastern University - Family Law Clinic

Domestic Violence Resources

Florida Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-1119

Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence: fcadv.org

Income Guidelines

Most legal aid programs serve those with income below 125-200% of federal poverty level. A family of 4 typically qualifies with income under $60,000-$75,000/year.

Critical Deadlines in Florida

Response Time

If served with divorce papers, you have 20 days to file a response. If served outside Florida, you have 40 days.

No Mandatory Waiting Period

Florida has no mandatory waiting period for standard divorces. However, Simplified Dissolution cases can be finalized in as little as 30 days.

Financial Affidavit

Both parties must file a Financial Affidavit within 45 days of service of the initial petition.

Parenting Course

If you have minor children, both parents must complete an approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before final judgment.

Appeals

You have 30 days from rendition of the judgment to file a Notice of Appeal.

Modifications

You can file to modify custody/time-sharing when there is a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances.

No "Custody" or "Visitation" Terminology

Florida eliminated the terms "custody" and "visitation" in 2008. Instead:

• Parental Responsibility replaces "legal custody"


• Time-Sharing replaces "physical custody" and "visitation"


• Parenting Plan replaces "custody order"

This wasn't just semantics - it was meant to reduce conflict by emphasizing both parents' roles.

Equitable Distribution (Not Community Property)

Florida is an equitable distribution state:

• Marital property is divided "equitably" (fairly), not necessarily 50/50


• The starting point is equal, but courts consider many factors


• Non-marital property (owned before marriage, gifts, inheritance) stays with that spouse


• Courts consider each spouse's contributions, including homemaking

Mandatory Parenting Course

Florida requires ALL divorcing parents to complete a Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course:

• 4-hour course (can be done online)


• Costs $20-50


• Must be completed before the divorce is finalized


• Certificate must be filed with the court

Alimony Reform (2023)

Florida reformed alimony laws in 2023:

• No permanent alimony for divorces after July 1, 2023


• Durational alimony based on length of marriage


• Marriages under 10 years: Up to 50% of marriage length


• 10-20 years: Up to 60% of marriage length


• 20+ years: Up to 75% of marriage length


• Alimony ends at retirement age

No Waiting Period

Unlike most states, Florida has no mandatory waiting period. A simple uncontested divorce can be finalized in as little as 30 days.

Simplified Dissolution

Florida offers a faster "simplified dissolution" if:

• No minor or dependent children


• Wife is not pregnant


• Both agree the marriage is irretrievably broken


• You've agreed on property division


• Neither party seeks alimony


• Both parties waive right to appeal

Time-Sharing Calculation

Florida courts carefully calculate overnights per year because it directly affects child support. The minimum for a child support adjustment is 73 overnights (20%).

Grandparent Rights

Florida has limited grandparent visitation rights. Grandparents can only petition if:

• Both parents are deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state


• One parent is deceased and the other has been convicted of a felony or violent offense

This is more restrictive than many other states.

Relocation Statute

Florida has strict relocation rules. Moving more than 50 miles requires either:

• Written consent from the other parent


• Court approval after a relocation petition

The burden is on the relocating parent to prove the move is in the child's best interest.