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Simplified Divorce in the Lake Mary, Florida Area

What is a Simplified Divorce in the Lake Mary, Florida area? A simplified divorce in the Lake Mary, Florida area is a divorce where the parties agree and are ready to settle the case. One party may hire an attorney to prepare the pleadings for the Petitioner, or parties may proceed pro se. If one party hires an attorney, then that attorney can only represent the Petitioner in the divorce. The attorney cannot represent both parties in a divorce per the ethics rules and the Rule of Professional Conduct of the Florida Bar. 

The party with an attorney who is the Petitioner will have their attorney prepare the following pleadings: 

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Marital Settlement Agreement
• Notice of Filing Petitioner’s Florida Driver’s License (with Florida Driver’s license issued over six month prior to the filing of Dissolution of Marriage to show that the party has been a resident of Florida for six months prior to filing of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage)
• Name Change Affidavit Complying with Florida Statute 686.07(3) (k) if Wife wants to restore her maiden/prior name
• Notice of Social Security Number of Petitioner
• Notice of Related Cases
• Financial Affidavit of Petitioner, or Joint Verified Waiver of Filing Financial Affidavits. 

Before the Final Judgment can be entered, the Respondent must file a Florida Supreme Court Financial Affidavit if the Joint Verified Waiver of Filing Financial Affidavit has not been filed and Florida Supreme Court Social Security Number Form per Florida Statute 61.052(7).

If there are children involved in the case, then the parties must also file a COPE Class Certificate, Affidavit of UCCJEA/Dependency Action, Child Support Guidelines per Florida Statute 61.13(1)d(1), including the full names and dates of birth of the children, Affidavit Regarding Juvenile Dependency, Notice of Social Security Number for the Children, and a fully signed Parenting Plan. 

Once all that has been filed with the Court, then Petitioner’s Attorney may submit a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage to the Court after the Respondent has approved and agreed to the Final Judgement. The parties never need to set foot in a courtroom or appear virtually for a final hearing if they have an attorney representing the Petitioner in Seminole County, Florida. A party can submit the paperwork within twenty (20) days of the Respondent being served with a Summons or the Respondent signing an Acceptance of Service. This is much more beneficial to the family than spending eighteen months to three years in litigation dwindling down and depleting the family’s funds. 

If you have more questions regarding a Marital and Family Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. on 407-732-7620 and arrange an initial consultation. You may also visit my website at: https://www.annmariegildenlaw.com 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney client privilege.