An uncontested divorce might be a great option for spouses who wish to save money, energy, and sometimes emotional trauma. In these cases, spouses need to agree on several legal, financial, and practical terms involved in the dissolution of the marriage.
If both spouses choose to agree on the terms of the divorce, they may even do so without the aid of an attorney, and file the paperwork themselves. We understand that legal matters can be a headache, so in this article, we’ll go through a quick review of the documents needed in an uncontested divorce.
It is important to mention that to file for an uncontested divorce in Florida, both spouses will need to agree on issues such as:
· Real estate and personal property division from the marriage.
· If there will be alimony to be paid and how much.
· Child support.
· Child Custody.
Uncontested Divorce Documents
The documents you need for an uncontested divorce in Florida will vary depending on whether there are children involved or not. In most cases, the following forms are required:
· Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases.
· Petition for Divorce.
· Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act Affidavit (if minor children are involved.
· Child Support Guidelines Worksheet.
· Family Law Financial Affidavit (It can be a short-form or long-form depending on the income).
· Marital Settlement Agreement, and
· Notice of Social Security Number.
Once these forms are completed and signed, spouses would need to file them in court. The way to do this is by providing a copy to the circuit court clerk, either by delivering hard copies or using the court’s electronic filing system.
After the petition for Divorce is filed, Florida has a mandatory 20-day waiting period before the final divorce decree. The waiting period can be waived by the judge if he considers that is just to do so depending on the circumstances. Once the 20-day period is over, the spouses may ask the court to schedule their divorce hearing, which is usually short.
Uncontested Divorces tend to be cheaper than traditional ones as there are no fees spent on lawyers, however, before filing for an uncontested divorce, be sure to consult with an experienced lawyer that will guide you and explain the best course of action for your and your family’s interests.
