By Larry Schott, Florida Family Law Attorney  |  Schott & Tolchinsky, P.A.

Most people assume divorce is complicated, expensive, and drawn out. For many couples it is. But for those who agree on everything before they file, Florida offers a streamlined option called a simplified dissolution of marriage. If you and your spouse qualify, the process is faster and significantly less expensive than a standard divorce.

This guide covers everything you need to know to file a simplified divorce in Broward County, from whether you qualify, to the forms, the filing steps, the costs, and what happens at the final hearing.

1. Do You Qualify for a Simplified Divorce?

The simplified dissolution of marriage is the most restricted divorce type in Florida. It is available only when a couple meets every one of the following requirements. If a single requirement is not met, you cannot use this process and will need to file a standard dissolution of marriage instead.

• At least one spouse has lived in Florida continuously for the six months immediately before filing
• Both spouses agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken
• There are no minor or dependent children born of the marriage, adopted during the marriage, or expected
• The wife is not currently pregnant
• Both spouses have fully agreed on how to divide all marital assets and liabilities
• Neither spouse is seeking alimony from the other
• Both spouses are willing to waive their right to trial and to appeal the final judgment
• Both spouses are willing to appear together at the final hearing

The two requirements that disqualify the most couples are the presence of minor children and one spouse wanting alimony. If either applies to you, the simplified process is not available. See our guides on Uncontested Divorce in Florida or Contested Divorce in Florida for the right process for your situation.

2. The Forms You Need

A simplified dissolution requires less paperwork than a standard divorce, but it still requires specific Florida Supreme Court approved forms. You need to complete, sign, and notarize the following before you file.

Primary Filing Forms

Form 12.901(a) — Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage. This is the main form that initiates the case. Both spouses sign it together before a notary. It confirms your eligibility, the grounds for dissolution, and your agreement that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Access this form and all forms mentioned in this article on the Florida Courts Family Law Forms page.

Form 12.928 — Family Court Cover Sheet. A standard cover sheet filed with the petition in Broward County. Also available on the Florida Courts forms page.

Form 12.902(f)(3) — Marital Settlement Agreement for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage. This is the written agreement between the spouses detailing how all assets and liabilities have been divided. It must be signed by both parties and notarized.

Form 12.902(j) — Notice of Social Security Number. Both parties must file this form. It is not served on the other party and is kept confidential by the court.

Form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c) — Family Law Financial Affidavit. Each spouse must file their own sworn financial affidavit. The short form (12.902(b)) applies when gross income is under $50,000 annually; the long form (12.902(c)) applies above that threshold.

3. How to File: Online or In Person

Broward County offers two filing options for a simplified dissolution of marriage.

Online Filing

You can file electronically through the Broward County Clerk of Court’s e-filing system. Online filing is available 24 hours a day and lets you submit forms, pay fees, and track your case without going to the courthouse.

In-Person Filing

If you prefer to file in person, bring your completed and notarized forms to the Family Division of the Broward County Central Courthouse.

4. Costs and Filing Fees

One of the main advantages of a simplified dissolution is cost. When you file without an attorney and your case is truly uncontested, your out-of-pocket expense is limited to the filing fees and any notary costs.

If you cannot afford the filing fees, you can apply for an indigency waiver by completing an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status, available from the Clerk’s office. The Clerk will review your financial situation and determine whether you qualify for a fee waiver or a payment plan.

For a full list of Broward County family court filing fees, see the Broward Clerk’s fee schedule page.

5. The Five Steps to Finalize Your Simplified Divorce

• Sign and notarize all forms Both spouses sign the Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, the Marital Settlement Agreement, and any other required forms in the presence of a notary public. Neither spouse can sign on behalf of the other.
• File the Financial Affidavits Each spouse files their own sworn Family Law Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c) depending on income). These are filed with the court and exchanged between the parties.
• File the Notice of Social Security Number Both parties file Form 12.902(j) with the court. This form is confidential and is not served on the other party or included in the public court file.
• File the Marital Settlement Agreement The signed and notarized Marital Settlement Agreement is filed with the Clerk along with the petition. This document governs the division of all assets and liabilities and is incorporated into the final judgment.
• Attend the final hearing Once all documents are filed, the Clerk schedules a final hearing date. Both spouses must appear together in person before the judge. The court will not grant the dissolution without both parties present. After the hearing, you will receive notice of the outcome within approximately 10 days of filing.

6. What Happens at the Final Hearing

The final hearing in a simplified dissolution is brief, typically lasting only a few minutes. The judge reviews the petition and the marital settlement agreement, confirms that both parties are present and entered the agreement voluntarily, and verifies that the eligibility requirements are satisfied.

If everything is in order, the judge signs the Final Judgment of Simplified Dissolution of Marriage (Form 12.990(a)). In Broward County, the judge typically prepares this form at the hearing. In some situations you may be asked to bring a completed copy with you — check with the Clerk’s office when your hearing is scheduled.

Once the judge signs the final judgment, the marriage is legally dissolved. The judgment is filed with the Clerk and becomes part of the public court record.

Note: Florida law requires a minimum of 20 days to pass between the date the petition is filed and the entry of a final judgment of dissolution. See Florida Statute 61.19. Even in a simplified case, the final hearing cannot be scheduled before that waiting period expires.

7. The Risks of the Simplified Process

The simplified dissolution is designed for truly straightforward situations. Before you choose it, understand what you are giving up.

When you file a simplified dissolution in Florida, you waive your right to trial and your right to appeal the final judgment. That means if something goes wrong or you later believe the settlement was unfair, your options for challenging it are extremely limited. The judgment is final.

You also permanently waive any right to alimony. This is written into the eligibility requirements: if neither party is seeking alimony, that waiver is incorporated into the final judgment. There is no going back later if your financial circumstances change.

The most common mistake we see is couples rushing to use the simplified process to save time and money without fully thinking through what they are agreeing to. If there are marital assets of any significance, a home, retirement accounts, a business interest, or substantial savings, having an attorney review the settlement agreement before you sign it is worth every dollar. An attorney is not going to make the process complicated; they are going to make sure that what you are agreeing to actually reflects what you intend and that nothing has been overlooked.

For a full comparison of your options, see:

• Uncontested Divorce in Florida: What It Takes and How to Do It Right
• Contested Divorce in Florida
• Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Divorce in Broward County
• Working With a Florida Divorce Lawyer