How to Obtain a Florida Divorce Decree
- 1). File a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Family Law Financial Affidavit, Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), Notice of Social Security Number, Affidavit of Non Military Service, Child Support Guidelines and 12 Rules of Courtroom Civility.
- 2). Serve the Respondent with the stamped documents (the Clerk stamps them upon filing) by requesting that a sheriff or process server serve the documents on the Respondent.
- 3). Wait for the Respondent to file her Answer and Counter Petition. Complete mandatory disclosure by serving all documents required in the Request for Mandatory Disclosure on the Respondent. The Respondent must reciprocate with her financial information.
- 4). Contact a mediator to attempt to settle your differences. If you are able to come to an agreement, complete and file a Marital Settlement Agreement. Contact the Clerk to request a final hearing. The final hearing is short (about 10 minutes) and provides a time for the Court to "prove up" the divorce. The Court will then complete and enter a Final Judgment in the matter.
- 5). Request a final hearing if you cannot settle. The Court will determine, based on the issues at hand (alimony, child custody, child support, assets and liabilities) how long the final hearing should take. Attend the final hearing. The Court will complete and enter a Final Judgment in the matter.
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