What Else is Needed to Get Divorced in Florida?

Prior to receiving a Final Hearing date for an uncontested divorce, all of the following paperwork must be completed and filed with the Court:

• Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) including Parenting Plan* and Child Support Guidelines worksheet*
• All additional court required paperwork (you can select a package where we complete these with you, hire an outside service, or complete them yourself) including: Petition for Dissolution; Answer and Waiver of Disclosures; UCCJEA Affidavits; Financial Affidavits; etc.  As each local court has the ability to define additional form requirements, be sure to check with your court to avoid delays in scheduling your final hearing date.
• Unique circumstance paperwork: QDRO, Special Needs Trust, Deeds, etc.**
• For couples with minor children*: certificates of completion for both parents from a Florida certified Parents of Divorce class.

*If there are minor children of the marriage, Florida also requires divorcing parents to attend a mandatory Parents of Divorce class, often called a Parent Education and Family Stabilization course, usually costing less than $50 per person.  We highly recommend you take an course specifically approved by the court you intend to file with to ensure there are no delays in scheduling your final hearing date.   Here is a link to the list of approved programs for your applicable Circuit Court.

**Every divorce is unique. Therefore, if you have any of the following requirements, we will refer you to other appropriate resources to meet those specific needs: for example, if your marital assets include certain kinds of retirement plans, you may need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (or “QDRO”); likewise, you may need a specific property deed or a special needs trust (if one of the spouses or one of the children have special medical needs).  For these services, we will refer you to appropriate resources, whether legal, financial, or otherwise; you will be responsible for the fees charged by the other professional.