How to File for Divorce in Santa Rosa County?

Filling for divorce in Santa Rosa County may be quick and trouble-free if you understand all the stages of the process and follow them precisely. In fact, if both parties settle on a decision regarding property division, financial matters, custody, and other aspects of marriage dissolution, you won’t even need to hire a lawyer. In this case, you will be able to file for uncontested divorce in Santa Rosa County with fewer financial expenses and less time spent than on a contested case.

The simplified dissolution of marriage in Santa Rosa County can be finalized in less than 30 days. Note that you can only qualify for it if you have no minor children and won’t request spousal support.

To start a divorce process, you need to:

1. Meet the residency requirements. You have to confirm that you have been a resident of Florida for at least 6 months. The documents accepted as proof by the court are a valid Florida driver’s license, a voter’s registration card, or Florida identification card. In case neither spouse has lived in Santa Rosa County, they can still file with the local court. As long as both parties agree to do it, it should not be an issue.
2. Figure out where to file for divorce. Both contested and uncontested divorces are handled by Santa Rosa County Family Court. You are welcome to contact the local clerk to find out about the work hours, fees, and additional requirements you may have to meet.
3. Prepare the needed documents. A petitioner, who is a spouse planning to file the paperwork, must get all the legal forms specific to their case, fill them out, and print them. It would be necessary to make 2 copies of each document for both spouses to keep as the originals are left in the court during the filing process.
4. File the forms with the court clerk. Give all the necessary documents to the clerk and pay the filing fee. If you qualify for a simplified marriage dissolution, file the petition together as you will have to sign it in front of the clerk.
5. Give copies of all documents to your spouse. A petitioner is obliged to serve all the forms filed with the clerk to their spouse. However, they cannot do it themselves, and have to use the services of a deputy sheriff or professional process server instead. Please note that you may need to pay for this service additionally. When the other spouse receives the documents, they must file a response. It is necessary to do it within 20 days after the documents were served.
6. Attend the final hearing. After spouses complete all the required steps, court sets the final hearing date. It takes place no less than 20 days from the moment when all documents are submitted to the court.

In cases when the divorce is contested and spouses cannot reach an agreement regarding child rearing, asset division, and general financial matters, it is necessary to hire a lawyer. They will help you with the paperwork, give you the necessary legal advice, and act in the court on your behalf.

The uncontested divorce process may last, on average, for about 5 weeks. The contested divorce, however, lasts much longer and may take half a year or more depending on the case.