Where to File for Divorce in Leon County?
Family Courts process all family law cases in Leon County. A Petition for marriage dissolution should be filed with the Leon County Clerk’s Office situated in the Leon County Courthouse.
📍 301 S. Monroe Street, Suite 100
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 577-4000
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
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The Requirements for Divorce in Leon County
Florida law establishes residency requirements for litigants. According to the statutes, either party in the case must be a state resident for at least 6 months before filing the Petition. If none of them meets this condition, the court will not have jurisdiction over their case to make decisions and enforce judgments. A couple must also prove their residency to the court.
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Filing for Uncontested Divorce in Leon County
Filing for an uncontested divorce in Leon County saves you from extra stress, time wastage, and financial expenses since the process is much simpler and faster than in contested cases. If both spouses agree to divorce and do not have any disputes concerning child- or property-related matters, they can avoid attorney’s involvement, prolonged negotiations, and countless hearings and even skip the process service stage.
Generally, to file for an uncontested divorce in Leon County, you should take the following steps:
- Complete, sign, and notarize the papers required for your specific case.
- File the initial set of paperwork, including the Petition, with the county clerk’s office.
- Pay a filing fee if you do not qualify for a fee waiver and get the stamped copies of your documents from the clerk.
- Attend the parenting sessions mandated by the state if you have children and provide the certificate of completion to the court. Both spouses must complete the classes.
- Schedule the final hearing and bring the final set of documents to it.
- After the judge signs the Decree, file the Final Disposition with the Clerk’s Office to finalize your divorce.
If you qualify for a Simplified Divorce procedure because you do not have children, do not claim alimony, and are waiving your right to a trial and appeal, your case may be finalized even faster.
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Required Divorce Forms in Leon County
Forms required for your divorce case are determined by your unique circumstances, including the size of your income, the level of agreement with your spouse concerning divorce-related matters, whether you have children, whether you can pay court fees, etc.
The most common forms required for a divorce in Leon County normally include:
- Petition;
- Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases (12.928);
- The Twelve Rules of Courtroom Civility;
- Family Law Financial Affidavit;
- Notice of Social Security Number (12.902(j));
- Notice of Related Cases (12.900(h));
- Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (12.903(a));
- Marital Settlement Agreement (if the case is uncontested).
- Parenting Plan (12.995(a));
- Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit (12.902(d));
- Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (12.902(e)).
This generalized list of documents may be needed in uncontested cases. You will not need child-related forms if you do not have kids with your spouse. Instead, some other may be required, so it is better to consult with the court clerk to know for sure.
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Leon County Divorce Filing Fees
The fee for filing a new divorce case in Leon County is $397.50. Filing supplementary motions or requests may entail extra expenses. Besides, additional fees are charged for other related services, including copies, certifications, records, process service, etc.
People with low income and inability to pay court costs may file an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status if they qualify for a fee waiver. If you visit the Leon County Clerk of Court’s Office website and contact the clerk, you can check the Leon County fee schedule, learn about the forms and fees pertinent to your specific case, and clarify if you can be eligible for waiving fees.
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