How to File for Divorce Without a Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL

You're sitting in your car at Las Olas Beach at midnight, googling "file for divorce myself Florida." Good news: Florida is one of the easier states to DIY. No waiting period, straightforward forms, and if you both cooperate, you can be divorced in weeks.

Total cost: $449-$559. Time: 4-8 weeks if uncontested.

Here's exactly how to do it.

Can You DIY in Fort Lauderdale?

About 30% of people who start DIY in Broward County finish without hiring help. The rest get stuck on property division, custody, or a spouse who won't cooperate.

DIY works if:

• You and your spouse agree on everything

• You're both willing to do paperwork

• Your situation is straightforward

DIY doesn't work if:

• Your spouse disagrees on major issues

• You own a business

• Complex assets (multiple properties, boats, significant retirement accounts)

• Domestic violence

• Your spouse is hiding money

If you're not sure, start DIY. You can always hire help. Forms you complete correctly can be used by a lawyer later.

What It Costs

Broward County filing fee: $409 (one of highest in country)

Service: $40-$150

• Sheriff: $40-$60 (reliable)

• Private server: $75-$150 (faster, more flexible)

Total: $449-$559

Compare to Divorce.com ($908-$2,408) or lawyers ($3,500-$35,000+).

No Waiting Period in Florida

Florida has NO mandatory waiting period. Once you file and your spouse agrees, you can finalize in weeks. This is one of the fastest states for divorce.

Plan on 4-8 weeks total for simple uncontested:

• 1-2 weeks prep

• 1 week filing

• 1-2 weeks service

• 1-2 weeks if spouse cooperates immediately

• 1 week final processing

Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify

You or your spouse must have lived in Florida for at least 6 months before filing. Need proof—driver's license, voter registration, or affidavit from someone who knows you.

Broward County Circuit Court is right place if either of you lives in Broward County.

Step 2: Gather Information

Collect:

• Last 3 months pay stubs (both spouses)

• Last 2 years tax returns

• Bank statements (last 3 months)

• Retirement account statements

• House/condo value and mortgage

• Car values and loans

• Boat values if applicable

• Credit card balances

• Any other debt

You need this for financial affidavits and to divide property fairly.

Step 3: Download Florida Forms

Get forms from:

• Broward County Circuit Court website

• Florida Courts website

• In person at courthouse (201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale)

You need:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage

• Summons

• Family Law Financial Affidavit

• Marital Settlement Agreement

• Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage

• Parenting Plan (if kids)

• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (if kids)

If you want fee waiver:

• Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status

Forms are free with instructions.

Step 4: Fill Out Petition for Dissolution

This starts your case. You're "Petitioner," spouse is "Respondent."

Include:

• Both names, addresses

• Date and place of marriage

• Date of separation

• Statement: "The marriage is irretrievably broken"

• Kids (names, birth dates) if any

• Proof one of you lived in Florida 6+ months

Check boxes for what you want:

• Dissolve the marriage

• Approve Marital Settlement Agreement

• Approve Parenting Plan (if kids)

• Order child support (if kids)

• Restore maiden name (if wanted)

• Divide property and debt

• Award alimony if requested

Step 5: Fill Out Financial Affidavit

Florida requires detailed financial disclosure. Both spouses file this.

List:

• All income (salary, bonuses, rental income, everything)

• All expenses (housing, food, utilities, insurance, etc.)

• All assets (house, cars, boats, retirement, bank accounts)

• All debts (mortgage, credit cards, loans)

Be thorough and honest. Court reviews these carefully.

Step 6: Fill Out Marital Settlement Agreement

This explains how you're dividing everything.

Property division: List every asset and who gets it:

• Condo: [address], value $625,000, mortgage $380,000, equity $245,000 - Wife keeps, refinances in 6 months, pays Husband $122,500

• 2021 BMW - Wife keeps, continues payments

• 2019 Silverado - Husband keeps, continues payments

• Wife's 401k: $95,000 - Wife keeps

• Husband's 401k: $108,000 - each gets $54,000

• 24-foot boat - Husband keeps, pays Wife $15,000

• Joint account: $8,200 - split 50/50

Debt division:

• Condo mortgage - Wife pays

• BMW loan - Wife pays

• Silverado loan - Husband pays

• Wife's credit card ($4,800) - Wife pays

• Husband's credit card ($7,200) - Husband pays

Alimony: If one pays the other monthly support, describe amount, duration, type (rehabilitative, durational, etc.), payment method. If no alimony: "Neither party shall pay or receive alimony."

Kids: Reference attached Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet.

Be specific. Both sign and date.

Step 7: Create Parenting Plan (If Kids)

Florida requires detailed Parenting Plan.

Specify: Time-sharing schedule: Exactly when kids are with each parent:

• Mon-Wed: Mom

• Thu-Fri: Dad

• Alternating weekends: Fri 6pm - Sun 6pm

• Summer: 2 weeks each

• Holidays: specific schedule with times

Parental responsibility: Who makes decisions about:

• Education

• Healthcare

• Religion

• Extracurricular

Options: shared, one parent, or split by category.

Communication:

• Between parents (email, text, app)

• Between parent and child when with other parent

• Exchange locations and transportation

Use Florida's Parenting Plan form. Be detailed.

Step 8: Calculate Child Support

Florida has mandatory formula. Use Florida's online child support calculator.

Enter:

• Both monthly net incomes

• Number of children

• Overnights per year with each parent

• Health insurance costs

• Daycare/childcare costs

Calculator gives monthly support amount. Fill out Child Support Guidelines Worksheet with calculations.

You can't waive child support unless both earn similar amounts and have equal time.

Step 9: File With Broward County

File forms at Broward County Circuit Court or online.

Online: Florida has e-filing portal. Create account, upload documents, pay $409 by card.

In person: Go to courthouse (201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Family Division), bring original documents plus copies, pay $409 (cash, check, money order, card).

Clerk stamps "Filed" and gives case number.

Fee waiver: File indigent status application first with income documentation.

Step 10: Serve Your Spouse

Florida requires official service. You cannot serve your spouse yourself.

Sheriff ($40-$60): File service request with Broward County Sheriff. Give spouse's address. Takes 1-2 weeks.

Private server ($75-$150): Faster, more flexible, tries harder if spouse avoiding.

Florida doesn't allow service by certified mail alone—must be personal service or sheriff.

After service, server files proof with court.

Step 11: Wait for Response (or Not)

Spouse has 20 days to file Response if they disagree.

If spouse agrees: They can file Waiver of Service and Answer, agreeing to everything. Then you can proceed to finalize immediately (no waiting period!).

If spouse files Response disagreeing: Read it. If major disagreements, DIY stalls here. Need mediation ($2,000-$5,000 each) or lawyers.

Minor disagreements? Try to work them out. Revise Marital Settlement Agreement based on compromise.

Step 12: Submit Final Paperwork

If spouse agrees (or doesn't respond after 20 days), prepare final documents.

Submit:

• Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage

• Marital Settlement Agreement

• Parenting Plan (if kids)

• Child Support Order (if kids)

No additional filing fee.

Some judges sign without hearing. Others require brief uncontested hearing (15 minutes) to confirm you understand what you're agreeing to.

Step 13: Get Your Signed Final Judgment

Once judge signs Final Judgment, you're officially divorced.

Court mails certified copy or you pick up. Make several copies:

• Keep original safe

• Give copy to ex-spouse

• Send to HR, banks, etc. as needed

Florida is fast—no waiting period means you can be done in 4-8 weeks total if everything goes smoothly.

What Could Go Wrong

Problem: Spouse won't sign Waiver. Solution: Have them served by sheriff ($40-$60). Don't need cooperation.

Problem: Spouse files Response disagreeing. Solution: Try to negotiate. Can't agree? Consider mediation or lawyers.

Problem: Forgot asset or made mistake. Solution: Before judgment signed, file amended paperwork. After judgment, need motion to modify (more complicated).

Problem: Spouse stops cooperating mid-process. Solution: If they won't agree to Marital Settlement Agreement, need mediation or lawyers.

Problem: Judge rejects your Marital Settlement Agreement. Solution: Revise per judge's concerns and resubmit.

Problem: Overwhelmed. Solution: Hire help:

• Divorce.com ($499-$1,999)

• Consulting lawyer ($600-$1,000 for 2 hours)

• Full-service lawyer ($3,500-$35,000)

DIY vs. Divorce.com vs. Lawyer

DIY ($449-$559):

• You do all work

• You research Florida law

• Best if: Comfortable with paperwork, simple situation

• Risk: Mistakes in property division

Divorce.com ($908-$2,408):

• Online interview generates forms

• Includes instructions and support

• Best if: Want help with forms, can't afford lawyer

• Risk: Still DIY—you manage process

Uncontested lawyer ($3,500-$7,000):

• Lawyer does everything

• You sign and show up

• Best if: Can afford it, want peace of mind

• Risk: Paying for convenience

Contested lawyer ($12,000-$35,000+):

• Lawyer negotiates disagreements

• Protects your interests

• Best if: Spouse disagrees

• Risk: Costs spiral if you fight

Start DIY. If stuck, upgrade.

Should You DIY in Fort Lauderdale?

Yes, try DIY if:

• You agree on custody, property, support

• Straightforward situation

• Both willing to cooperate

• Comfortable with forms

• Can spend 12-20 hours

No, hire help if:

• Spouse disagrees

• You own business

• Complex assets (multiple properties, boats, large retirement accounts)

• Big income gap, alimony disputed

• Kids and can't agree on custody

• Domestic violence

• Overwhelmed

Most successful DIYers have:

• Marriages under 8 years

• No kids or complete custody agreement

• Minimal assets

• Similar incomes

• Cooperative spouse

If that's you, DIY saves $3,000-$7,000.

The Truth About DIY

It's doable but not easy. Forms are detailed. Florida's equitable distribution is complicated. If you own expensive Fort Lauderdale real estate or boats, figuring out fair division takes research.

You'll spend 12-20 hours:

• 3-5 hours gathering info

• 5-8 hours filling forms

• 1-2 hours filing/service

• 2-3 hours final paperwork

• 1 hour in court (if required)

For most, those hours are worth saving $3,000-$7,000.

But if you hit a wall—spouse won't cooperate, can't figure out condo equity split, unsure about alimony—get help. Spending $600-$2,000 on consulting lawyer is cheaper than mistake costing $30,000 in lost equity.

Final Checklist

□ Confirm you/spouse lived in Florida 6+ months □ Gather financial documents □ Download Florida forms □ Fill out Petition for Dissolution □ Fill out Financial Affidavit (both spouses) □ Fill out Marital Settlement Agreement □ Create Parenting Plan (if kids) □ Calculate child support (if kids) □ File with Broward County ($409) □ Serve spouse ($40-$150) □ Wait for response (20 days) □ Submit Final Judgment □ Attend hearing if required □ Receive signed judgment

You can do this. Thousands DIY in Broward County every year.

And if you can't, hiring help isn't failure. It's recognizing some things are worth paying for in an expensive city like Fort Lauderdale.