Florida divorce forms are the legal papers you need to get divorced in Florida. Whether you have minor children, own property together, or want a simple divorce, knowing which forms to use helps your case go smoothly. This guide explains all the florida divorce forms you need and where to get them.
Where to Get Florida Divorce Forms
Free Online Sources
- Florida Courts Family Law Forms - All state forms for free
- Florida Courts Self-Help Center - Help for people without lawyers
- 13th Judicial Circuit Forms - Tampa area forms
County Offices
- Orange County Clerk Forms - Form packages with instructions
- Miami-Dade Clerk - Simple divorce info
- Collier County Forms - All divorce forms
- Clay County Forms - Online forms
Types of Divorce and Which Forms You Need
Florida has different types of divorce. The forms you need depend on your situation. Pick the right type to avoid problems later.
Type | When to Use | Main Forms |
Simple Divorce | No kids, agree on everything | Form 12.901(a), marital settlement agreement |
Divorce with Kids | Have minor children | Form 12.901(b)(1), parenting plan |
Divorce with Property | Own things together, no kids | Form 12.901(b)(2), money forms |
No Kids, No Property | Nothing to divide | Form 12.901(b)(3) |
Simple Divorce Forms
A simple dissolution of marriage is the fastest and cheapest way to get divorced. But you and your spouse must agree on everything.
Who Can Use Simple Divorce
You can use simple divorce if you both agree the marriage should end, have no minor children (wife not pregnant), agree how to split your things, don't want alimony from each other, and will go to court together. One of you must have lived in Florida for 6 months.
Forms You Need for Simple Divorce
You need the Petition for Simple Divorce (Form 12.901(a)) as your main paper. You also need a marital settlement agreement that says how you'll split your things, Social Security form (Form 12.902(j)) for both people, money form(short or long based on your income), and cover sheet with basic info about your case.
How to File Simple Divorce
Both of you must go to the clerk's office together to file. Bring photo ID and either bring someone who knows you live in Florida or bring a signed paper from that person. The fee is about $409. Your court date will be about 30 days later.
Regular Divorce Forms When You Have Kids
If you have minor children, divorce gets more complicated. You need extra florida divorce forms to deal with custody and child support.
Main Forms for Divorces with Kids
Use Form 12.901(b)(1) if you have kids and property. Use Form 12.901(b)(2) if you have kids but no property to split. Both forms ask about your children and what you want the court to do.
Extra Forms for Kids
The custody form (Form 12.902(d)) tells the court where your kids have lived and if there are other court cases about them. The child support worksheet (Form 12.902(e)) figures out how much child support should be paid. A parenting plan explains when kids stay with each parent and who makes decisions about them.
Money Forms
Short money form (Form 12.902(b)) is for people who make less than $50,000 a year. Long money form (Form 12.902(c)) is for people who make $50,000 or more. Both forms list all your income, bills, and what you own.
Forms When You Own Property Together
If you and your spouse own things together, you need special forms to help the court divide everything fairly.
What You Need to List
You must list all your money, property, and debts using money forms. If you agree on how to split things, you can write a marital settlement agreement. For expensive things, you might need someone to say how much they're worth.
Business and Expensive Items
If either of you owns a business, you need extra papers showing what it's worth. Same thing for expensive items like houses, boats, or collections. You might need an expert to say how much these things are worth.
Forms to Respond to Divorce Papers
If your spouse filed for divorce first, you need to respond using the right florida divorce forms.
Response Type | When to Use | Form Number |
Agree with Everything | You don't want to fight | Form 12.903(a) |
Disagree with Some Things | You want to argue some points | Form 12.903(b) |
Want Different Things | You want the court to give you something | Forms 12.903(c)(1-3) |
If You Agree
Form 12.903(a) lets you agree with the divorce without going to court. This form says you give up your right to argue and just want a copy of the final papers.
If You Disagree
Form 12.903(b) lets you say which parts you agree with and which parts you don't. If you want the court to give you something your spouse didn't ask for, use the counterpetition forms.
Forms to Change Things After Divorce
Sometimes you need to change child support, custody, or other things after your divorce is final. Special forms help you ask the court to make changes.
Changing Child Support
Use child support change forms when your income changes a lot or your ex's income changes. You need to show the court why the change is needed and fill out new money forms.
Changing Custody
Use custody change forms when you want to change where kids live or how decisions are made. You must show the court that things have changed enough to affect what's best for the kids.
How to Fill Out and File Forms
Florida divorce forms must be filled out correctly or the court might reject them.
Basic Rules
Type or print clearly in black ink. Sign and date everything. Give your current address and email. Pay the filing fee when you turn in your papers (unless you qualify for free filing).
Papers You Always Need
Most divorces need a cover sheet with basic info about your case. Social Security forms protect your personal information. Related cases form tells the court about other cases involving you or your kids.
Giving Papers to Your Spouse
After you file, you must give copies of all papers to your spouse following special rules. A summons tells your spouse about the court case and their rights. This step is very important for your case to be valid.
Special Situations
Some situations need extra florida divorce forms beyond the normal divorce papers.
Domestic Violence
If there's been violence, you might need protection order forms. You can ask to keep your address secret with confidential filing forms. Special rules might apply for serving papers when safety is a concern.
Military Families
Military forms check if your spouse is on active duty. Special laws protect service members from default judgments. Different rules might apply for serving papers on deployed military members.
International Issues
International forms apply when kids might have been taken from another country. Serving papers on spouses in other countries needs special procedures. Foreign documents might need translation.
Getting Help with Forms
While florida divorce forms are made for people without lawyers, many people need some help.
Free Help
County family law help centers give you forms, instructions, and basic help. Many courts have classes about divorce and filling out forms. Online guides and videos show you how to complete common forms.
Limited Lawyer Help
Some lawyers will review your forms, give advice on specific questions, or help with just part of your case. This gives you professional help without the full cost of hiring a lawyer for everything.
Full Lawyer Help
Complicated cases with lots of property, minor children, or big disagreements might need a full lawyer. Lawyers make sure you use the right forms and fill them out correctly while protecting your rights.