Not so long ago, everything was done face-to-face. Luckily, now we can deal with our everyday chores online. Even such a complex task as divorce paperwork in Florida can be completed online.
Preparation of the divorce papers via the internet is typically called online divorce. It is an inexpensive and relatively fast way to complete your application. In this article, you’ll get all the necessary information about the so-called web divorce in Florida.
What is online divorce?
Talking about divorce over the internet, many people think it means getting a divorce online, which is not correct. The actual procedure behind the term online divorce or internet divorce is online paperwork preparation.
In Florida, you can find several online divorce companies that will take care of your papers. The majority of these services will require information about your case to prepare completed forms ready to be filed with the court.
In this state, you can also apply for a divorce online using a special e-filing court system. However, the final decision to issue a divorce decree must be made by the court.
So the bottom line is that online divorce is a way to complete your divorce papers online.
Online Divorce in Florida Overview
When getting a divorce, there are several steps you must follow:
- Meet local requirements;
- Choose the right divorce type;
- Prepare divorce papers;
- File the necessary divorce forms with your local court;
- Pay the filing fees or ask to waive them if you qualify for such a request;
- If you have kids, you will have to complete a mandatory 4-hour parenting class to help your child cope with the divorce process and file the received certificate with the court;
- Serve your spouse with divorce papers;
- Go through the waiting period.
Below you will find more detailed information on the basic requirements for Florida.
Grounds for divorce in Florida
As for the grounds for a divorce in Florida, everything is quite simple. Since Florida is a no-fault divorce state, the easiest option for the couple is to declare their marriage irretrievably broken.
However, there is also another ground, which may be applicable if you seek a dissolution of marriage. If one of the spouses is mentally incapacitated, then the other one may specify this as the reason for a divorce. In such a case, the following must be proven:
- the mentally ill spouse was classified as mentally incapacitated for no less than three years before the divorce petition was filled
- the spouse asking for a divorce notified the other spouse’s nearest blood relative or guardian about the divorce proceeding
Residency requirements for divorce in Florida: According to Florida law, to file for a divorce, at least one of the spouses must be a resident of the state for no less than six months before filing.
Choosing an uncontested divorce
An uncontested divorce is one in which both spouses manage to resolve all their divorce-related issues. That means they agree on child custody and support, property division, spousal support, etc.
An uncontested divorce makes the whole divorce procedure much easier. This route is considered to be the fastest option for those seeking a simplified dissolution of marriage.
Preparing divorce papers online is only possible if your divorce is uncontested. So it’s one of the critical requirements to qualify for online divorce in Florida.
Online divorce forms preparation
Here is where online divorce tools come into play. If you don’t want to spend much time and money dealing with divorce papers, your go-to option will be to use online divorce paperwork preparation services. There are many such companies over the internet, but we advise you to choose one with proven expertise and good reviews.
They all work in about the same way. First, you confirm that your divorce is uncontested. Then you answer a questionnaire, and within a couple of days, you receive documents ready for signing and filing with the court.
One of the greatest benefits of online divorce forms preparation tools is that they can reduce the cost of the divorce paperwork. Hiring a lawyer to fill out your documents can cost several thousand dollars because lawyers charge an hourly fee. Online divorce tools are more affordable, as you pay a fixed amount for the entire package of documents.
You can also try to fill out the documents yourself. It is called DIY divorce forms preparation. However, do not forget that doing this without knowing the legal terminology can be quite difficult and time-consuming. Not to mention, it’s a pretty stressful process.
With online divorce tools, you can save your money, time, and nerves. What’s more, you can complete your paperwork from the comfort of your home.
Filing the forms: Once your divorce forms are completed, you can file them with the clerk’s office online using the Florida E-Filing portal website. At this point, you will also need to pay the filing fee, which you can avoid if you address the judge with a request to waive it.
The Florida Courts System has been using electronic filing for several years now, which allows you to file the documents electronically. The e-filing system lets you choose the place and time of your paperwork filing.
Serving the forms: Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to serve your spouse online in Florida. Thus there are three options to hand the paperwork to your spouse. It can be done by the County Sheriff, a Process server, or any third party over 18 not involved in the divorce.
The waiting period in Florida
Florida has a 20 day waiting period before you will get your dissolution of marriage. If you haven’t managed to resolve divorce-related issues amicably before the hearing stage, your divorce process may take much more time. Consider this beforehand to shorten your overall divorce process.
Conclusion
Filing for divorce in Florida has its unique aspects. However, knowing your options can make the process easier for you.
Online divorce is one of the best ways to proceed for those couples who want to spend less time and money on the divorce paperwork. However, some critical requirements should be met. First and foremost, your divorce should be uncontested. Only then can you use online tools to complete your forms.