Florida Family Law Filing Checklist

Florida Family Law Filing Checklist

Court: Circuit Court, [________________________________] Judicial Circuit
County: [________________________________], Florida
Case Number: [________________________________]
Petitioner: [________________________________]
Respondent: [________________________________]
Filing Attorney: [________________________________]
Date Prepared: [__/__/____]

I. Case Type

☐ Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
☐ Simplified Dissolution
☐ Paternity
☐ Child Custody/Parenting Plan
☐ Modification of Prior Order
☐ Domestic Violence Injunction
☐ Other: [________________________________]

II. Residency Requirements

☐ At least one party Florida resident for 6 months before filing
☐ Residency verified

III. Required Forms

Dissolution of Marriage

☐ Family Law Cover Sheet
☐ Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
☐ Summons
☐ Financial Affidavit (long or short form)
☐ Notice of Social Security Number
☐ UCCJEA Affidavit (if children)
☐ Parenting Plan (if children)
☐ Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (if children)

Simplified Dissolution

☐ Both parties agree on all issues
☐ No minor children
☐ Wife not pregnant
☐ Joint Petition

IV. Filing Fee

☐ Filing fee: Approximately $400+ (varies by county)
☐ Fee paid OR Application for Indigent Status

V. Service Requirements

☐ Personal service on Respondent
☐ OR Waiver of Service signed
☐ 20 days to respond after service

VI. Waiting Period

☐ 20 days from filing before final judgment
☐ Earliest judgment date: [__/__/____]

VII. Mandatory Disclosures

☐ Financial Affidavit exchanged
☐ Standard Family Law Interrogatories (if applicable)
☐ Production of documents

VIII. Parenting Issues

☐ Parenting Plan required for minor children
☐ Time-sharing schedule
☐ Parental responsibility (shared or sole)
☐ Parenting course completed

Required Parenting Course

☐ Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course
☐ Certificate filed with court

IX. Mediation

☐ Mediation required before trial
☐ Mediation completed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
☐ Agreement reached: ☐ Yes ☐ No

X. Final Judgment

☐ Marital Settlement Agreement (if agreed)
☐ Final Hearing scheduled: [__/__/____]
☐ Proposed Final Judgment prepared

Sources and References

• Florida Courts Family Law Forms: https://www.flcourts.gov/Resources-Services/Family-Courts
• Florida Statutes Chapter 61: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes

Prepared by: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]