Are you thinking about getting a divorce but have no clue where to start or how to do it? As intimidating as it may seem, having a great family attorney can help relieve some of the stress and help walk you through the right way to file for a dissolution of marriage. Continue reading to understand what Florida divorce forms you will need and how Family Matters Law Group can assist you when applying for a divorce in Florida.
Understanding Divorce in Florida
If you did not already know, Florida is a No-Fault state. This means that you do not need to prove that any of your spouse’s actions are the reason for the breakage of the marriage. When filing for your divorce in Florida, you must state that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” in your petition. The petition will cover basic information regarding financial assets and debts, children you have together, and any other issues that need to be disclosed, like alimony or spousal support.
Requirements to File for Divorce in Florida
Due to residency requirements, before filing for your divorce, either you or your spouse must have lived in Florida for a minimum of 6 months. You must prove that you meet these residency requirements, with documents such as a Florida driver’s license, vehicle registration, or a utility bill.
The documents needed to make your divorce process easier include, but are not limited to,:
- Your driver’s license
- Your tax returns
- Pay stubs from at least three months before filing and most of your financial assets—for example, real estate in your name or investments.
To better understand what is needed on your behalf to file for your divorce, speak with one of our divorce attorneys to guide you through the following steps.
Alimony can be requested in your divorce petition, but several factors will determine if it’ll be granted. Due to Florida being a no-fault state, the court may not consider if a spouse has acted wrongly when deciding if spousal support is needed, how much, and for how long. Alimony is meant to aid the spouse who brought in the least amount of money home or who did not work during the marriage to help support their ‘after-divorce’ lifestyle.
Florida Divorce Forms: Can I File for Divorce Without an Attorney?
When preparing each divorce form, review the important information and the instructions for each form. It is advised to work with an experienced and diligent divorce attorney to help you prepare all the proper documents and speed up the process. It’s possible to complete these forms independently, but it can also be a problematic situation if you are not familiar with most of the documents and Florida divorce laws. It pays off to have a qualified attorney on your side if you want to avoid unexpected issues during your divorce case.
If you’re considering starting the process for a divorce in Florida, we would highly recommend speaking to experienced family law attorneys who can guide you through every step of the process. Family Matters Law Group, P.A. was founded to provide solid legal guidance and support to families throughout South Florida that were experiencing family issues. Contact us today to discuss your specific situation and how Family Matters Law Group can help you.
