How to Get a Divorce in Florida Without a Lawyer (and When You Should Hire One)

Can you get a divorce in Florida without a lawyer?

Yes. Florida lets you represent yourself in a divorce. The courts call it a "dissolution of marriage." You file the Florida Supreme Court–approved family law forms with the clerk of the circuit court in your county. The simplest route is simplified dissolution of marriage, which is open to spouses who agree on everything and have no minor children. Everyone else uses a regular petition.

First check the basic requirement. Under section 61.021, Florida Statutes, at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for 6 months before the petition is filed. Then pick the type of case that fits your situation.

Which Florida divorce forms do I need?

Your forms depend on whether you agree with your spouse and whether you have children or property. The Florida Courts website posts all of them for free, and Florida Law Help groups them like this:

In a regular case you usually also need a Summons (Form 12.910(a)) and a Family Law Financial Affidavit. Use the short form, 12.902(b), if your gross annual income is under $50,000. Use the long form, 12.902(c), if it is $50,000 or more. You also file a Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure (Form 12.932).

Do I qualify for a simplified dissolution of marriage in Florida?

You qualify only if every one of these is true:

• One spouse has lived in Florida for at least 6 months.
• You have no minor or dependent children together, and the wife is not pregnant.
• You agree on how to divide all property and debts.
• Neither of you is asking for alimony.
• You both agree the marriage is "irretrievably broken."

The instructions for Form 12.901(a) add some trade-offs. Both spouses must sign the petition in front of a clerk of court or a notary public, and both must attend the final hearing. By using this process you give up the right to a trial and to an appeal, and you skip the formal financial disclosure exchange. If you suspect your spouse is hiding assets, those protections matter. In that case, simplified dissolution is the wrong tool.

What are the steps to file for divorce in Florida on your own?

Most self-represented divorces follow the same steps:

1. Check residency and choose your forms. Use the table above, or visit your county's family court self-help center for help picking the right packet.
2. Complete and sign the petition. Some forms must be signed in front of a notary or a deputy clerk.
3. File with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you or your spouse lives, and pay the filing fee.
4. Serve your spouse if you are not filing a simplified case together. The clerk issues a summons, and the sheriff or a certified process server delivers the papers.
5. Exchange financial information. The Florida Bar says each spouse must provide financial documents and a completed financial affidavit within 45 days of service.
6. Finish the extra requirements if you have children. The Florida Bar notes that parents must complete a parenting course, and you must file a child support guidelines worksheet. Many counties also send parents to mediation before a final hearing.
7. Attend the final hearing. Under section 61.19, Florida Statutes, a judge cannot sign a final judgment until at least 20 days after the petition is filed, unless the court finds that waiting would cause injustice.

How much does a Florida divorce cost without a lawyer?

The main cost is the clerk's filing fee, which is about $408 to $409 as of October 2026. For example, the Duval County Clerk lists $409 for both a regular and a simplified dissolution of marriage. It also charges $10 for each summons issued and $295 for a counter-petition. Fees vary slightly by county, so check your clerk's current fee schedule before you file.

Other possible costs include sheriff or process server fees, notary fees, the parenting course and mediation.

If you cannot afford the fees, ask the clerk for an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status. If it is approved, it can cover the filing fee and sheriff service costs.

When should you hire a divorce lawyer in Florida instead?

Doing it yourself works best when the case is uncontested and simple. Consider talking to a lawyer if any of these apply:

• You and your spouse disagree about parenting time, child support or alimony.
• There is a house, a business, retirement accounts or significant debt to divide.
• You think your spouse is hiding income or assets.
• There is domestic violence or a safety concern.
• Your spouse has already hired a lawyer.

You do not have to choose between full representation and none at all. Some Florida family lawyers will review your forms or coach you for one hearing for a set fee. To find one, call The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 800-342-8011 or use its online request. If your income is low, Florida Law Help lists free legal aid organizations by county.

For more on separation, alimony and dividing property, see our Divorce and Separation guides.