The Circuit Court Family Civil Division has jurisdiction over domestic relations matters such as:
- Simplified Dissolution
- Dissolution
- Child or Spouse Support
- Adoption
- Annulment
- Paternity
- Change of Name
- Change of Custody
- Foreign Judgments
Our office facilitates access to low cost legal assistance through our Low Bono Program. If your are completing forms for a Family Law case, you may want to consider meeting with a Low Bono attorney to review your documents and for additional guidance. You’ll find more information on our Low Bono Program page.
Dissolution of Marriage/Divorce
A dissolution of marriage is a legal proceeding filed by a married person(s) to end a marital relationship. In addition to restoring the parties to single status, the Court can issue orders for spousal support; custody, visitation and child support for the minor children of the marriage; and the division of any shared property assets and debts.
In the State of Florida, there are two methods for filing divorce.
A Simplified Divorce May Be Appropriate When …
- You or your spouse have been a resident of the State of Florida for at least the last six (6) months.
- You and your spouse are both able to appear at the Clerk of the Court’s Office to file the appropriate forms to initiate the divorce action and to attend the final hearing in person.
- There are no children together born before or during the marriage, including by adoption, and the Wife, to her knowledge, is not pregnant as of the date the action is filed.
- You and your spouse are in agreement on how property, assets and debts are to be divided.
A General Divorce May Be Appropriate When …
- You do not meet the requirements for a simplified divorce.
- You have been a resident of the State of Florida for at least the last six (6) months.
- Your spouse resides out of state or you do not know your spouse’s whereabouts.
- There is a minor (under age 18) or dependent child of the marriage or the Wife is pregnant.
- You and your spouse cannot agree on how property, assets and debts are to be divided.
- There is a need for spousal support (alimony).
Complete packets for both divorce types can be purchased at the Clerk’s main office or any branch location. Additionally, the packets can be downloaded and printed from the Clerk’s Office forms section.
