This guide helps you organize the first steps. It does not choose a petition for you or replace the instructions issued by Florida Courts. If there are safety concerns, disputed parenting arrangements, missing financial information or uncertainty about jurisdiction, get qualified help before filing.
Florida generally requires at least 20 days after the original petition is filed before a final judgment. A court may enter judgment earlier if the statutory injustice exception applies. Service, missing documents, disputes and hearing availability may make the case take longer. Read section 61.19.
First, choose the right instructions
Start at the Florida Courts Family Law Forms library. Read the instructions attached to the petition before completing it. Simplified dissolution and regular dissolution use different procedures; agreement alone does not establish that you qualify for the simplified process.
- Simplified dissolution: read the eligibility checklist for Form 12.901(a), including the rules concerning dependent children, pregnancy, support and agreement.
- Regular dissolution: the 12.901(b) petition series distinguishes cases involving children, property and other circumstances. Use the form's instructions to determine which applies.
- Residency and venue: confirm the residency requirement, acceptable proof and the correct county. Do not assume that the nearest courthouse is the correct filing location.
Make one organized document packet
Create folders labeled identity and residency, income, assets, debts, children, and court papers. Inside each, keep originals separate from working copies. A short index saves time when a clerk or professional asks for a particular record.
- For each account, note the institution, account type, statement date and which records are missing. Keep full account numbers out of ordinary email.
- Record income sources separately, including employment, self-employment and benefits. Mark estimates clearly.
- If children are involved, gather the existing schedule, school calendar and expense records. Distinguish the current arrangement from a proposed one.
- Keep any existing orders and case numbers together. Do not assume a new filing cancels an existing obligation.
Confirm costs with your county
Use the Florida county court directory to locate clerk and court resources. Ask for the current dissolution filing fee, service charges, accepted payment methods and any local packet requirements. A statewide dollar estimate is not a quote from your clerk.
If paying the filing fee is difficult, ask about the Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status. The official forms library links the application. It is not a family-law form numbered 12.902(a). Eligibility and which charges are covered must be determined through the official process.
Before submitting your documents
- Read signature instructions. Check which documents need notarization or another permitted form of verification. Do not assume every document has the same requirement.
- Check local filing instructions. Confirm file formats, naming, required attachments and how to receive notices. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is an entry point, not a substitute for the packet instructions.
- Plan service correctly. Filing papers and serving the other party are different steps. Do not select publication merely because locating a spouse is inconvenient; special requirements apply.
- Track disclosures and deadlines. Use the current rule and your case notices. Put the source of each deadline next to it in your calendar.
- Confirm the next step. Save your receipt, case number and notices. Ask how hearings are scheduled and how you will know if a filing is rejected or incomplete.
Questions to take to the clerk
- Where are the current local family-law filing instructions?
- What fees apply, and where can I find the indigent-status application?
- How do I receive notices and check whether a submission was accepted?
- Is there a court self-help program, and what assistance can it provide?
Court staff can explain administrative procedures but cannot provide legal advice. Questions about which rights to waive, what to request or how an agreement affects you belong with a licensed attorney.
Sources and related resources
Sources checked September 29, 2026: Florida Courts forms and instructions; Florida Statutes 61.19. Always use the current official version.
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Educational information only. SelfHelpDivorce.com is not a law firm.