Filing For A Florida Divorce: What Documents Do I Need To Collect? Orlando Divorce Lawyer
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Filing for a Florida Divorce: What Documents Do I Need to Collect?

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Getting divorced is an emotionally draining experience. However, what many do not realize is that a divorce case also involves a massive amount of paperwork. When filing for a divorce in Florida, you are required to collect a lot of documents and evidence to support your case.

It is crucial to contact an experienced divorce lawyer in Florida to help you save time when gathering all pertinent documents and ensure that you file the paperwork correctly.

What documents you may need varies from one divorce case to another, which is why it is advised to have an attorney on your side when preparing for a divorce.

Filing for a divorce in Florida

The divorce process in Florida starts with one spouse filing a petition for divorce, also known as the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. You cannot initiate divorce proceedings without submitting this form.

After the filing of the petition, the respondent spouse will be served with divorce papers and must respond to the petition within 20 days. You will also prepare the summons for the Florida court clerk.

Depending on whether you and your spouse have minor children together, you will be required to file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with or without Dependent or Minor Children.

When filing for a divorce in Florida, Fla. Stat. § 61.021 requires one or both spouses to have resided in the Sunshine States for at least six months before the filing date. You are required to bring a petition for divorce in the county where you live.

What documents do you need to collect to file for divorce?

Staying organized is a vital part of getting divorced. Florida courts will require numerous important documents throughout your divorce case, which is why you need to prepare and collect the paperwork in advance to expedite the process.

An experienced divorce lawyer will help you stay organized during your divorce proceedings and ensure that you prepare and file all required forms and documents without errors and inaccuracies.

Any mistakes or inconsistencies in the paperwork you submit to the court could negatively impact your settlement agreement. The following are the documents that you need to collect after filing for a divorce in Florida:

  • Your paycheck stubs from all sources of employment over the past 12 months
  • Your spouse’s paycheck stubs over the last year
  • Documents, checks, receipts, and statements regarding business earnings and expenses
  • Tax returns for the past three years
  • Documents that help establish your net worth and your joint net worth
  • Real estate documents
  • Bank statements
  • Documentation related to retirement accounts
  • Statements regarding liabilities and debts
  • Documentation related to marital assets, including automobiles

There may be additional documents that you need to prepare when seeking a divorce in Florida. For this reason, it is advised to hire an Orlando divorce attorney to help you navigate the process and ensure that you have gathered all the required documentation to get a divorce. Contact Arwani Law Firm to discuss your unique case. Call 407-254-0060 for a free case review.

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