What Do I Need to Know About Filing Divorce in Florida with Help Yourself Divorce?
Help Yourself Divorce is a no-fault divorce service, for those who agree on the terms of the divorce and are both willing to sign the papers. The following is a list of requirements and information about what to expect from the process. Please note that this will only apply if you use the services of Help Yourself Divorce. Those seeking to use another route for their divorce should perform their own research about what to expect from the process.
Grounds for Divorce in Florida.
In order to file for divorce, you must tell the court why you want a divorce. The legal reason why you are filing for divorce is known as the “grounds” for divorce. Because we are a no-fault divorce service, Help Yourself Divorce will prepare your papers based on the grounds that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Florida Residency Requirements.
To file for divorce with Help Yourself Divorce, at least one party must have lived in the state of Florida for at least six months before filing the divorce papers.
If you and your spouse have minor children, the court must have jurisdiction over them. Generally this means your children must have lived in Florida for at least six months and currently live in Florida, or have lived in Florida within six months of filing.
Filing for Divorce in Florida.
You should file for divorce in the Florida county where either you live, or where your spouse lives.
Florida Divorce Filing Fees.
When you file the papers, you will have to pay a separate filing fee to the Courts. Please check with your local court clerk to find out how much the current filing fee is.
Serving Your Spouse.
You are required to prove to the court that you served your spouse with copies of all the divorce papers. The way you provide service is by mailing or hand-delivering a copy of the papers to your spouse. Your spouse will then sign a form called an Answer and Waiver, which tells the court your spouse received the papers and serves as proof of service. Either you or your spouse will file this form with the court.
Waiting Period.
After you file for divorce in Florida, there is a 20 day waiting period before your divorce can be finalized. However, the actual length of time it takes for the courts to to finalize your divorce will really depend on their schedule.
Florida Uncontested Final Divorce Hearing.
Your divorce will be finalized during a brief uncontested divorce hearing, which only the Petitioner must attend. Your spouse can attend if desired, but he or she is not required to.
If you have any questions about whether our service is right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
IMPORTANT: Help Yourself Divorce is a paralegal service, not a law firm. Please don’t rely on this information for legal advice. Seek help from an attorney if you need legal advice.