The short answer
In Florida, you can get through a divorce with five main resources: the free Florida Supreme Court approved family law forms, the Florida Courts Help website (help.flcourts.gov), your county clerk's self-help center, a local legal aid program if your income is low, and The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service, where a first 30-minute consultation costs no more than $25.
What resources can help me through the divorce process in Florida?
Five main resources can help you through a Florida divorce: the free Florida Supreme Court approved family law forms, the Florida Courts Help website at help.flcourts.gov, your county clerk and courthouse self-help center, a legal aid program if your income is low, and The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service for a low-cost first consultation.
You do not have to work this out alone. Most people start with the free forms, then add a lawyer only for the parts that feel risky.
Source: Florida State Courts System, Florida Courts Help website, and The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service, as of October 2026.
What does each resource do for you?
Each resource handles a different part of the process. Here is what you can expect from each one, as of October 2026.
- Free court forms: The Florida Supreme Court publishes approved family law forms with plain-language instructions. They cost nothing to download.
- Florida Courts Help: The website and app at help.flcourts.gov let you fill out 186 approved forms on your phone. It also lists local help centers, legal aid and lawyer referrals.
- State Self-Help Center: For questions about the forms, email [email protected] or call (850) 921-0004.
- County clerk and self-help center: The clerk of court in your county takes your filing and fee. Self-help staff can explain procedure, meaning the steps and paperwork, but they cannot give legal advice.
- Legal aid: If your income is low, a Florida legal aid program may help for free. The Florida Bar's referral service does not offer free lawyers, so legal aid is the place to ask.
- Lawyer Referral Service: The Florida Bar matches you with a family lawyer. The first consultation lasts up to 30 minutes and costs no more than $25. Call 800-342-8011, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or ask online any time.
Tip: If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the clerk for an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status. Under § 57.082, Florida Statutes, you may qualify if your income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
| Path | Who it fits | Main resources |
|---|---|---|
| Simplified dissolution | No minor or dependent children, wife not pregnant, property and debts already divided, no alimony requested | Joint petition Form 12.901(a), clerk, Florida Courts Help |
| Uncontested divorce with forms | Spouses agree on everything, including any parenting plan and child support | Approved forms, self-help center, required parenting course, optional $25 lawyer consult |
| Contested divorce | Spouses disagree on children, property, support or alimony | Family lawyer through the Lawyer Referral Service or legal aid |
What does the right resource depend on?
The right help depends on how much you and your spouse agree and whether you have children. These four points decide most cases.
- Children: Parents with minor children must take a 4-hour Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course under § 61.21, Florida Statutes. It is offered online and by mail.
- Agreement: Simplified dissolution, a short joint process under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.105, only works if you agree on how to split property and debts.
- Residency: One spouse must have lived in Florida for 6 months before filing, under § 61.021, Florida Statutes.
- Money: Filing fees vary by county. In Manatee County, the petition fee is $397.50 as of October 2026.
Deadline: The parent who files must finish the parenting course within 45 days of filing. The other parent has 45 days from being served, meaning formally handed the papers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I really get divorced in Florida without a lawyer?
Yes. Florida lets you represent yourself, which is called filing pro se. The Florida Supreme Court publishes free approved forms with instructions for this. Court and self-help staff can explain the steps but cannot give legal advice. A lawyer is still worth a call if you have children, a home, retirement accounts, or a spouse who disagrees.
What type of divorce can be done without lawyers?
Simplified dissolution is the easiest. Under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.105, it fits couples with no minor or dependent children who have already divided their property and debts. Neither spouse can ask for alimony. Both sign one joint petition and both attend the final hearing. Uncontested divorces with children can also be done with the court forms.
What are the risks of divorcing without a lawyer?
Three risks stand out. You may give up property, retirement money or alimony you did not know you could claim. Mistakes in forms can delay your case. A poorly written parenting plan or settlement can be hard to change later. A $25 Florida Bar referral consultation can help you spot these problems before you sign.
Do I still need court approval if I file without a lawyer?
Yes. A judge must approve your divorce and sign the final judgment. Under § 61.19, Florida Statutes, no final judgment can be entered until at least 20 days after the petition is filed, unless the court finds the delay would cause injustice. In a simplified dissolution, both spouses must appear before the court.
How do I start the process in Florida?
Six months of Florida residency by one spouse comes first, under § 61.021, Florida Statutes. Then choose your forms on the Florida Courts Help website, fill them out, and file the petition with the clerk in your county. Pay the filing fee or apply for civil indigent status. Finally, have your spouse served unless you file jointly.
Sources
- Florida Courts Help Website, Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida
- The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service, The Florida Bar
- Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.105 — Simplified Dissolution Procedure, Florida Justice
- § 61.021, Florida Statutes (2026) — Residence requirements, The Florida Senate
- § 61.19, Florida Statutes (2026) — Entry of judgment of dissolution of marriage, delay period, The Florida Senate
- § 61.21, Florida Statutes (2026) — Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course, The Florida Senate
- § 57.082, Florida Statutes (2026) — Determination of civil indigent status, The Florida Senate
- Family Law Filing Fees, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller