- 1). Download a petition for dissolution of marriage from the Florida State Courts Self-Help website. There are four available, depending on whether or not you have property to divide or children. Choose the one that most accurately meets the circumstances of your divorce. Complete it, fill it out and file it with the circuit court in the county where you live.
- 2). Serve your spouse with a copy of your filed petition. Florida allows you to do this by giving it to her personally. If you choose this option, download form 12.910 from the self-help website, which is a summons that you must attach to your petition. It gives your spouse instructions as to what she should do after you give her the petition. Then download and compete form 12.914, a certification of service, stating that you served your spouse and file it with the court. If you prefer, you can ask the county sheriff to serve the summons and petition on your spouse for you.
- 3). Complete a financial affidavit if you and your spouse own any property together, if one of you is asking for support, or if you have children who will require child support. The form is available as part of packet 12.902 on Florida's self-help website. If your spouse files an answer to your petition, he must complete a financial affidavit as well. Submit your financial affidavit with the court within 45 days after your spouse has been served with your petition.
- 4). Download and complete a child support guidelines worksheet, which is also part of packet 12.902, if you have children. This will tell you how much child support is payable depending on your particular incomes and your children's time with each parent. You'll need this when you appear in court to finalize your divorce.
- 5). Negotiate a settlement with your spouse, if possible. In some Florida counties, attending mediation with a trained mediator is mandatory. Other counties permit you to try to settle things on your own. If you can come to an agreement regarding all issues between you, including debts, assets and children, download a marital settlement agreement from Florida's self-help website and fill in the particulars of your settlement. Like the divorce petition, there are several versions available. Choose the one that most closely matches your circumstances. Both you and your spouse must sign it and have it notarized.
- 6). Notify the court that you have a signed marital settlement agreement. You'll be given a date to appear before a judge for an uncontested hearing. Take the settlement agreement with you, as well as the completed child support worksheet. The judge will review your documents and incorporate your agreement into a divorce decree. Otherwise, after all your documents have been submitted and if you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement between you, the court will schedule your divorce for trial.
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