Can You Get a Divorce in Florida Without a Lawyer?

If you are considering divorce, you may be wondering whether you need to hire an attorney—or whether you can complete a divorce in Florida without a lawyer.

The short answer is yes. Florida allows people to represent themselves in divorce proceedings. However, completing a divorce without hiring a lawyer does not mean you must prepare every document and manage every step alone.

Depending on your circumstances, you may prepare the paperwork yourself, use a nonlawyer document-preparation service, or consult an attorney when you need legal advice.

Can You File for Divorce Without a Lawyer in Florida?

Yes. Florida residents may represent themselves in family court. This is commonly called proceeding pro se.

The Florida Courts website provides divorce forms, but when representing yourself, you are responsible for determining:

• Which divorce process applies to your situation
• Which forms are required
• How to complete the documents correctly
• Whether financial affidavits, parenting documents or other supporting forms are required
• How the documents must be signed, notarized and filed
• What steps must be completed after filing

Preparing everything yourself may work for someone who is comfortable reading court instructions, completing legal forms and communicating with the clerk. The process can become more complicated when the spouses have minor children, property, debts, support arrangements or disagreements.

Three Ways to Handle a Florida Divorce

Option 1: Prepare and File Everything Yourself

You may download the appropriate Florida divorce forms, complete them yourself and handle the filing process without hiring an attorney or document preparer.

This is generally the least expensive option, but it also requires you to identify the correct forms, follow court procedures and correct any paperwork the clerk or court cannot accept.

Option 2: Use a Nonlawyer Divorce Document Preparer

A nonlawyer document-preparation service can be a practical alternative for people who do not need legal advice but want professional assistance preparing their divorce documents.

Divorce in Florida Online has helped people throughout all 67 Florida counties for more than 15 years. We prepare documents based on the information and decisions provided by our clients.

Depending on your case, we may assist with:

• Preparing the required Florida divorce documents
• Preparing parenting plans and child-support documents when applicable
• Coordinating remote online notarization
• Preparing documents for a mutual-agreement divorce
• Preparing documents for divorce by summons when a spouse will not cooperate
• Preparing documents for divorce by publication when a spouse cannot be located
• Providing filing-related and administrative support

Option 3: Consult or Hire a Florida Divorce Attorney

Some situations require legal advice rather than document preparation. You should consider speaking with a licensed Florida attorney when:

• You and your spouse disagree about property, debts, parenting or support
• You need advice about your legal rights
• You believe your spouse is hiding assets or financial information
• Domestic violence, threats or coercion are involved
• The case involves a business, complicated property or significant retirement assets
• You do not understand the consequences of a proposed agreement
• You need someone to negotiate or represent you in court

Hiring an attorney is not legally required for every divorce, but obtaining legal advice may be important when your rights, finances or children are disputed.

Which Florida Divorce Process Applies to You?

Getting divorced without a lawyer is possible in several different situations. The correct process depends primarily on whether your spouse will cooperate and whether you know where your spouse is located.

Both Spouses Agree and Will Sign

When both spouses agree on the divorce terms and are willing to sign the documents, the case may proceed as a mutual-agreement or uncontested divorce.

For cases handled through our mutual-agreement process, both spouses sign before filing. Qualifying cases can generally be completed without a court hearing and are often finalized in approximately 30–45 days, depending on court processing.

Mutual-agreement cases may involve minor children, property or debts as long as the spouses have reached the necessary agreements.

Your Spouse Will Not Sign or Cooperate

You do not need your spouse’s permission to request a divorce.

If you know where your spouse is located but the spouse refuses to sign, the case generally proceeds through divorce by summons. Your spouse must be formally served and given an opportunity to respond.

A summons case may involve additional steps, including financial disclosures, mediation and a final hearing.

You Cannot Locate Your Spouse

If you do not know where your spouse lives, divorce by publication may be available after completing the required search efforts.

Publication cases have different procedures and limitations, particularly when minor children, property or financial obligations are involved.

Does Divorce Without a Lawyer Mean Divorce Without Court?

Not necessarily.

Without a lawyer means you are not represented by an attorney. Without a court hearing means the judge can review and finalize the case without requiring the parties to appear.

Some mutual-agreement divorces may qualify for our no-court-hearing divorce process when both spouses agree and sign the documents before filing. Summons and publication cases may require additional court procedures.

These are separate issues, which is why it is important to identify the correct divorce process before preparing the paperwork.

Can You Divorce Without a Lawyer When You Have Children?

Yes. Parents may complete a Florida divorce without hiring attorneys when they have reached the required agreements.

The divorce documents will generally need to address:

• Parental responsibility
• A parenting plan
• Time-sharing
• Child-support calculations
• Health insurance and uncovered medical expenses
• Other required child-related provisions

For our mutual-agreement, no-hearing process, the children must currently live in Florida, both parents must agree, and guideline child support must be calculated and included in the documents.

If the parents disagree or need advice concerning their parental rights, they should consult a licensed Florida family-law attorney.

How Divorce in Florida Online Can Help

You do not have to choose between hiring an attorney and attempting to prepare unfamiliar divorce forms completely alone.

Divorce in Florida Online provides nonlawyer divorce document preparation throughout Florida. We review the information you provide, determine whether the requested work is within our scope and prepare the appropriate documents based on your instructions.

We assist with:

• Mutual-agreement divorces
• Divorce by summons when a spouse will not cooperate
• Divorce by publication when a spouse cannot be located
• Cases involving minor children
• Cases involving property or debts
• Remote online notarization and filing-related support

If your situation requires legal advice outside the scope of a document-preparation service, we will let you know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to get a divorce in Florida without a lawyer?

Yes. Florida allows individuals to represent themselves in divorce proceedings. You remain responsible for your decisions, but you may use a nonlawyer document preparer to prepare forms based on the information you provide.

Do both spouses need lawyers for an uncontested divorce?

No. Spouses are not required to hire attorneys simply because they are getting divorced. Either spouse may consult an attorney independently if legal advice is needed.

Can I get divorced without a lawyer if my spouse refuses to sign?

Yes, but the case will not proceed as a mutual-agreement divorce. If you know where your spouse is located, the case generally proceeds by summons and formal service.

Can a divorce document preparer give me legal advice?

No. A nonlawyer document preparer may prepare forms using the information you provide but cannot advise you about your legal rights, recommend what you should request or represent you in court.

How long does a divorce without a lawyer take in Florida?

The timeline depends on the type of case. Mutual-agreement cases handled through our process are often finalized in approximately 30–45 days. Summons and publication cases generally take longer.

Do we need to go to court if we do not hire a lawyer?

Not hiring a lawyer does not automatically eliminate the need for a hearing. When both spouses agree and sign before filing, qualifying cases handled through our mutual-agreement process may be completed without a court hearing.

Find Out Which Divorce Process Fits Your Situation

If you want a divorce in Florida without a lawyer but do not want to prepare the paperwork alone, tell us about your situation.

We will contact you to obtain additional details, determine whether the requested work is within our scope and explain what information we need to prepare your documents.