Use the links below to obtain the information pertaining to the specified area.
Regular Dissolution of Marriage
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
Clerk Assistance
Instructions for Completing Forms
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Instructions and Forms
Fees and Service Costs
Payment of Fees and Costs
Family Law Forms
Department Contact Information
To obtain a Dissolution of Marriage in the State of Florida, at least one of the
partners must have been a resident of this State for a minimum of 6 months prior to
filing for divorce. You are not required to be a resident of the County where you
file the case. There are two types of Dissolution of Marriage cases: Regular, and
Simplified. When you file a Dissolution case, it becomes public record and the
information is available to the general public. Newspapers or other media, in
accordance with their policies, may choose to publish this information.
Regular Dissolution of Marriage
This type of case is required when you and your spouse have a dependent minor child
together, or if the wife is pregnant, or if one spouse is not in agreement with the
divorce. Issues regarding paternity, custody, visitation, spousal support, and child
support must be resolved prior to the dissolution being granted. Other legal issues
and tax related consequences might affect your actions. For these reasons, you may
choose to hire an attorney to represent you in this type of case.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court cannot provide legal advice or any
assistance with the completion of forms in a Regular Dissolution of Marriage action. If you choose to
represent yourself in these matters, you are required to prepare your own legal
documents, schedule hearings and otherwise proceed according to Florida law and Rules
of Court. Once you have determined which will apply to your situation. Some general,
standardized Florida Bar forms are available for purchase in the Clerk's Office.
It is necessary for both partners in the marriage to complete a court-required course related to
divorce and children, before a final hearing is set. Failure to complete the course may cause the court to dismiss the action, or take
other action against either parent. Information regarding this course will be provided to you after the case is filed.
If the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is contested by either spouse and the issues can not
be resolved, both sides will be required to attend a mediation hearing to settle the disputed issues before the Court will allow a final
hearing to be scheduled.
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Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
This type of action may be filed without an attorney, when all the following circumstances exist:
- Each spouse agrees the marriage cannot be saved.
- There are no minor children of the marriage and the wife is not pregnant.
- Each spouse has mutually agreed upon how the property and debts are to be divided.
- Neither spouse is seeking support (alimony or maintenance).
- Neither spouse is seeking financial information other than what is provided in the standardized
financial affidavit.
- Each spouse is willing to give up their right to a trial and their right to appeal the outcome
and all previously agreed upon matters.
- Each spouse is willing to come to the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office to
sign the petition.
- Each spouse is willing to attend the same final hearing.
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Clerk Assistance
The Clerk of the Circuit Court may assist with the preparation of documents relating to a
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage case. Each spouse must sign the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. A Property Settlement Agreement
must be prepared and each spouse must sign the agreement. A financial affidavit must be completed and filed by each spouse. A certificate
must be signed in the presence of the deputy clerk or notary by a corroborating witness who knows that either the husband or the wife has
lived in the State of Florida for more than six (6) months before the Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage was signed. You do
not need a witness if you have a valid Florida Driver’s license that is more than six (6) months old. The deputy clerk will schedule the
hearing and give each spouse a notice of hearing at the time the case is filed and the filing fee is paid.
Some forms are provided online for your convenience. Forms can be completed by
using Adobe Acrobat and then printed on your printer. However, the information you
enter can not be saved if you are using the free Adobe Reader. If you are using the
Adobe Reader, please complete and print the documents in the packet and bring with
you to the Clerk's Office. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat installed on your
computer, click the link below to download the free Adobe Reader.
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Instructions for Completing Forms
- Press the tab key to advance from field to field, including check boxes.
Case number and division fields are to be left blank, this information
will be completed by the Clerk's Office.
- Press Shift+Tab (hold shift key down and then press the tab key) to return to
the previous field OR use the mouse and left-click in the field.
- Left-click or press the spacebar to select fields or boxes that require a checkmark.
- Date fields require the date to be entered in mm/dd/yyyy format.
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DISCLAIMER: These documents are not an attempt by the Clerk to practice law or give legal advice,
it is intended to provide notice of procedures followed by the Clerk's Office at the direction
of the Courts. All forms are derived from either the Supreme Court promulgated forms
or Sixth Judicial Circuit Court approved forms. Forms are subject to change
without further notice by the Courts.
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Forms
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Helpful Hints
Unified Family Court Cover Sheet
Civil Cover Sheet
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Petition Instructions
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Petition
Marital Settlement Agreement Instructions
Marital Settlement Agreement
Family Law Financial Affidavit (Short Form) Instructions
Family Law Financial Affidavit (Short Form)
Affidavit of Corroborating Witness Instructions and Form
Notice of Social Security Number Instructions and Form
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Fees and Service Costs
- Regular Dissolution of Marriage filing fee - $408
Sheriff service cost - $20
- Summons to Sheriff - Clerk to issue $10.00 or
Clerk to prepare & issue $17.00
- Simplified Dissolution of Marriage filing fee - $408
There is no sheriff service cost or summons fee
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Payment for Fees and Costs
- Payment for Clerk’s filing fees or other services may be submitted in cash,
personal in-state check with proper identification, in-state business check,
money order, bank check, Visa or Master Card. All payments for fees and costs
must be remitted in US currency.
DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL.
Checks for filing fees must be made payable to:
Jed Pittman, Clerk of Circuit Court
- Checks for sheriff’s service must be made payable to:
Pasco County Sheriff OR to the Sheriff of the County where the respondent
is to be served. Some Sheriff Offices will not accept a personal check. You should
check with the appropriate county prior to filing your case.
DO NOT BRING CASH FOR THE SHERIFF.
- The filing fees and service costs are not refundable if the persons reconcile and do not wish
to finalize the divorce case.
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Family Law Forms
For family law forms, please visit the Self-Help Center located on the
Florida State Courts web site.
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DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION
| DADE CITY |
NEW PORT RICHEY |
Jed Pittman
Clerk of the Circuit Court
38053 Live Oak Avenue
Room 205
Dade City, FL 33523-3894
(352) 521-4517
8:30am-5:00pm
Monday-Friday
Directions
|
Jed Pittman
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Mailing Address
PO Drawer 338
New Port Richey, FL 34656-0338
Physical Location:
7530 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654
Room 105
(727) 847-8176
8:30am-5:00pm
Monday-Friday
Directions
|
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