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
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Written by the SoLongSoulmate.com Editorial Team
Researched using official state court websites, state statutes, and legal aid resources. All filing fees and procedures verified March 2026. This is general legal information — not legal advice.
Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.