Florida DIY Divorce Checklist (2026) — Printable Step-by-Step
Florida-Specific Reminders: Complete mandatory financial disclosure within 45 days. Complete parenting class before final hearing if children are involved. Prove 6-month residency at final hearing.
Before You File
Confirm Eligibility
- At least one spouse has lived in Florida for 6 months
- Decided between Simplified Dissolution vs. regular dissolution
- If Simplified: confirmed all eligibility criteria are met (no children, no alimony, full agreement, both attend hearing)
Gather Financial Documents (for Mandatory Disclosure)
- Last 3 years' federal and state tax returns
- Most recent 3 months of pay stubs
- Last 12 months of bank statements (all accounts)
- Last 12 months of investment/brokerage statements
- Most recent retirement account statements
- Mortgage statement (if applicable)
- Vehicle titles and loan statements
- List of all debts with balances
Key Decisions
- Agreed on property division
- Agreed on what to do with the home (keep/sell/defer)
- Agreed on alimony (or waiver)
- Agreed on retirement account division
- If children: agreed on Parenting Plan, time-sharing schedule, child support
Filing
- Downloaded correct petition from flcourts.org
- Completed petition (no blanks)
- Filed at Clerk of the Circuit Court in correct county
- Paid filing fee ($395–$410) OR submitted Form 12.902(a) fee waiver
- Received file-stamped copies with case number
- Noted filing date (20-day waiting period starts here): ___________
Service
- Spouse signed Acceptance of Service voluntarily
- OR: Sheriff/process server completed service
- Noted service date: ___________
- Respondent response deadline (20 days after service): ___________
- Proof of service filed with court
Mandatory Financial Disclosure (MUST complete within 45 days of service)
- Completed Financial Affidavit — Form 12.902(b) or (c) — petitioner
- Gathered all required financial documents (tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, etc.)
- Served financial documents on spouse within 45 days
- Filed Form 12.932 (Certificate of Compliance) — petitioner
- Spouse completed financial affidavit and served on petitioner
- Filed Form 12.932 — respondent
Children (If Applicable)
- Completed mandatory parenting class (4 hours)
- Filed parenting class certificate of completion with court
- Spouse completed mandatory parenting class
- Spouse's certificate filed with court
- Drafted detailed Parenting Plan (Form 12.995(a))
- Calculated child support using Florida guidelines calculator
- Completed Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (Form 12.993(a))
- Completed UCCJEA Affidavit (Form 12.902(e))
- Prepared Income Withholding Order
Drafting Final Documents
- Drafted Marital Settlement Agreement (all property, debt, alimony)
- Both spouses signed MSA (notarize if your county requires)
- Prepared proposed Final Judgment of Dissolution
- MSA waiving 20-day period included (if both agree to waive)
Final Hearing
- Confirmed 20 days have passed since filing (or waiver included in MSA)
- Scheduled final hearing with court
- Prepared residency proof (driver's license, voter registration, or witness affidavit)
- Brought all documents: Final Judgment, MSA, Financial Affidavits, Form 12.932, Parenting Plan (if children), class certificates (if children)
- Attended final hearing
- Judge signed Final Judgment
After the Divorce
- Filed signed Final Judgment with Clerk
- Obtained 3–5 certified copies of Final Judgment
- If children: sent Income Withholding Order to paying parent's employer
- Home: refinancing started (if one spouse keeping)
- Home: Quit Claim Deed signed, notarized, recorded at county Clerk of Courts
- Home: Homestead exemption re-applied for with county property appraiser
- Vehicle titles transferred at Florida DHSMV
- Bank accounts separated
- Joint credit cards closed or transferred
- QDRO filed with retirement plan administrator (if applicable)
- Social Security card updated (SSA office)
- Florida driver's license updated (FLHSMV)
- Life insurance and retirement beneficiaries updated
- Will and estate planning documents updated
Quick Reference
| Item | Your Info |
|---|---|
| Case number | |
| Filing date | |
| Service date | |
| 20-day deadline | |
| 45-day disclosure deadline | |
| Parenting class deadline | |
| Final hearing date | |
| Divorce final date |
Last reviewed: March 2026
Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.