Half of our clients come to us after having bought the packets, some even filling them all in. The self-help clerks try hard, but their hands are tied. Most of them are not licensed attorneys and are not competent to give legal advice. Further, the Supreme Court, which established the self-help program, has made it perfectly clear that the self-help staff must not offer any legal advice whatsoever to anyone, at any time, for any reason.

So, the Supreme Court created standardized forms. Each form comes with directions. Trouble is, it's all confusing. People who found the forms used the wrong ones or filled them out wrong. It was a big mess. Still is. Want to laugh? The Florida Supreme Court, trying to fix a big jam in the court system caused by so many people handling their own case, and doing it badly, and unable to hire a lawyer, offers these forms, but provides a disclaimer of its own, as follows:

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS

You should read this General Information thoroughly before taking any other steps to file your case or represent yourself in court. Most of this information is not repeated in the attached forms. This information should provide you with an overview of the court system, its participants, and its processes. It should be useful whether you want to represent yourself in a pending matter or have a better understanding of the way family court works. This is not intended as a substitute for legal advice from an attorney. Each case has its own particular set of circumstances, and an attorney may advise you of what is best for you in your individual situation.

These instructions are not the only place that you can get information about how a family case works. You may want to look at other books for more help. The Florida Statutes, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, and other legal information or books may be found at the public library or in a law library at your county courthouse or a law school in your area.

The next section, which is taken verbatim from the Supreme Court's website, takes the cake. They tell you that the forms may be no good and then, make sure you know that if, by using the forms, you screw your case up, that you shouldn't sue the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar or anyone who helped write the darn things. Are you not smiling? And you were thinking, honestly, about doing it on your own?

NOTICE TO PARTIES WHO ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY WHO IS A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING OF THE FLORIDA BAR

If you have questions or concerns about these forms, instructions, commentary, the use of the forms, or your legal rights, it is strongly recommended that you talk to an attorney. If you do not know an attorney, you should call the lawyer referral service listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book under “Attorney.” If you do not have the money to hire an attorney, you should call the legal aid office in your area.

Because the law does change, the forms and information about them may have become outdated. You should be aware that changes may have taken place in the law or court rules that would affect the accuracy of the forms or instructions.

In no event will the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar, or anyone contributing to the production of these forms or instructions be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from their use.

Every packet has a cover page describing its contents. The cover page is followed by a “general information statement”, which is really a disclaimer, as follows:

“You should read this General Information thoroughly before taking any steps to file your case or represent yourself in court.”

“This is not intended as a substitute for legal advice from an attorney. Each case has its own particular set of circumstances, and an attorney may advise you of what is best for you in your individual situation.”

“If you have questions or concerns regarding these forms, commentary, instructions and appendices, the use of these forms, or your legal rights, it is strongly recommended that you talk to an attorney.”

“All instructions and forms distributed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court are provided as a public service to persons seeking to represent themselves in court without the assistance of an attorney. These documents are meant to serve as a guide only, and to assist pro se (self-represented) litigants with their cases. Any person using these instructions and/or forms does so at his or her own risk, and the Clerk shall not be responsible for any losses incurred by any person in reliance on the instructions and/or forms.”

Use as a guide. Do so at your own risk. Not a substitute for good legal help. You get the message. Sort of begs the question, though, doesn't it? Here's “help” for the poor and downtrodden, but don't use it. Don't rely on what it is that we offer. Get a lawyer.

Of course, that brings you full circle back to where you started. Sure you would have hired a lawyer if you could have afforded one. But you couldn't, which is what brought you to think you might try it on your own. You didn't think you had a choice.

The forms that are in the packets that the clerk is selling are here, free, including the specific forms that make up each packet, and we'll tell you exactly which ones they are. After you have had your fill of the packets, call us . We'll get your uncontested divorce done and over quicker and more efficiently than you can do it yourself. And we'll go to court for you, to boot.

Do it yourself? Sure, why not? If you have no choices, you do it yourself. With us you now have a real choice, so make it. Give us a call right now. Get the process started and get it over.

Without further ado, we proudly present the self-help center divorce packets.

Uncontested divorce packets

Packet #1 Petition for simplified dissolution
Packet #2 Petition for dissolution of marriage with no dependent or minor children or property
(fast-track)
Packet #3 Petition for dissolution of marriage with no dependent or minor children or property
Packet #4 Petition for dissolution of marriage with property but no dependent of minor children
Packet #5 Petition for dissolution with dependent or minor children

Bonus packet for modification

Packet #10 Supplemental petition to modify custody or visitation and other relief

Packet #1 Petition for simplified dissolution

First a short comment from the peanut gallery: This is not the simplest way to get divorced and we don't really think it simplifies things, only complicates.

Civil cover sheet (form 100)
Petition For Simplified Dissolution of Marriage (Form 12.901(a))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (short form, if gross income <$50,000))(Form12.902(b))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (long form, if gross income >$50,000))(Form12.902(c))
Notice of Social Security Number (Form 12.902(j))
Marital Settlement Agreement (Rule 12.902(f)(3))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (short form, if gross income <$50,000))(Form12.902(b))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (long form, if gross income >$50,000))(Form12.902(c))
Notice of Social Security Number (Form 12.902(j))
Affidavit of corroborating witness (Form 12.902(i))
Motion To Set Final Hearing (Form 435)

Packet #2 Petition for dissolution of marriage with no dependent or minor children or property (fast-track)

Civil cover sheet (form 100)
Petition For Dissolution of Marriage With No Dependent Or Minor Child(ren) Or Property (Form 12.901(b)(3))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (short form, if gross income <$50,000))(Form12.902(b))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (long form, if gross income >$50,000))(Form12.902(c))
Affidavit of corroborating witness (Form 12.902(i))
Notice of Social Security Number (Form 12.902(j))
Answer, Waiver, and Request For Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (Form 12.903(a))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (short form, if gross income <$50,000))(Form12.902(b))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (long form, if gross income >$50,000))(Form12.902(c))
Certificate of Compliance With Mandatory Disclosure (Form 12.932)
Motion To Set Final Hearing (Form 435)

Packet #3 Petition for dissolution of marriage with no dependent or minor children or property

Civil cover sheet (form 100)
Petition For Dissolution of Marriage With No Dependent Or Minor Child(ren) Or Property (Form 12.901(b)(3))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (short form, if gross income <$50,000))(Form12.902(b))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (long form, if gross income >$50,000))(Form12.902(c))
Affidavit of corroborating witness (Form 12.902(i))
Notice of Social Security Number (Form 12.902(j))
Summons: Personal Service On An Individual (Form 12.910(a))
Process Service Memorandum (Form 12.910(b))
Motion For Mediation (Form 410)
Certificate Of Compliance With Mandatory Disclosure (Form 12.932)
Marital Settlement Agreement For Dissolution Of Marriage With No Dependent Or Minor Children Or Property (Form 12.902(f)(3))
Memorandum of Certificate Of Military Service (Form 12.912(a))
Non-Military Affidavit (Form 12.912(b))
Notice Of Action For Dissolution Of Marriage (Form 12.913(a))
Affidavit Of Diligent Search And Inquiry (Form 12.913(b))
Motion For Default (Form 12.922(a))
Motion To Set Final Hearing (Form 435)

Packet #4 Petition for dissolution of marriage with property but no dependent of minor children

Civil cover sheet (form 100)
Petition For Dissolution of Marriage With No Dependent Or Minor Child(ren) Or Property (Form 12.901(b)(2))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (short form, if gross income <$50,000))(Form12.902(b))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (long form, if gross income >$50,000))(Form12.902(c))
Affidavit of corroborating witness (Form 12.902(i))
Notice of Social Security Number (Form 12.902(j))
Answer, Waiver, and Request For Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (Form 12.903(a))
Memorandum of Certificate Of Military Service (Form 12.912(a))
Summons: Personal Service On An Individual (Form 12.910(a))
Process Service Memorandum (Form 12.910(b))
Motion For Mediation (Form 410)
Marital Settlement Agreement (Form 12.902(f)(2))
Certificate Of Compliance With Mandatory Disclosure (Form 12.932)
Non-Military Affidavit (Form 12.912(b))
Notice Of Action For Dissolution Of Marriage (Form 12.913(a))
Affidavit Of Diligent Search And Inquiry (Form 12.913(b))
Motion For Default (Form 12.922(a))
Motion To Set Final Hearing (Form 435)

Packet #5 Petition for dissolution with dependent or minor children

Civil cover sheet (form 100)
Petition For Dissolution of Marriage With Dependent Or Minor Child(ren) Or Property (Form 12.901(b)(1))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (short form, if gross income <$50,000))(Form12.902(b))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (long form, if gross income >$50,000))(Form12.902(c))
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction And Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit (Form 12.902(d))
Child Support Guidelines (Form 12.902(e))
Marital Settlement Agreement With Dependent Or Minor Children (Form 12.902(f)(1))
Affidavit of corroborating witness (Form 12.902(i))
Notice of Social Security Number (Form 12.902(j))
Answer, Waiver, and Request For Copy of Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (Form 12.903(a))
Certificate Of Compliance With Mandatory Disclosure (Form 12.932)
Summons: Personal Service On An Individual (Form 12.910(a))
Process Service Memorandum (Form 12.910(b))
Non-Military Affidavit (Form 12.912(b))
Motion For Mediation (Form 410)
Memorandum of Certificate Of Military Service (Form 12.912(a))
Notice Of Action For Dissolution Of Marriage (Form 12.913(a))
Affidavit Of Diligent Search And Inquiry (Form 12.913(b))
Motion For Default (Form 12.922(a))
Motion To Set Final Hearing (Form 435)

Bonus packet for modification

Packet #10 Supplemental petition to modify custody or visitation and other relief

Supplemental Petition To Modify Custody Or Visitation And Other Relief (Form 12.905(a))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (short form, if gross income <$50,000))(Form12.902(b))
Family Law Financial Affidavit (long form, if gross income >$50,000))(Form12.902(c))
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction And Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit (Form 12.902(d))
Child Support Guidelines (Form 12.902(e))
Notice of Social Security Number (Form 12.902(j))
Certificate Of Compliance With Mandatory Disclosure (Form 12.932)
Summons: Personal Service On An Individual (Form 12.910(a))
Process Service Memorandum (Form 12.910(b))
Non-Military Affidavit (Form 12.912(b))
Motion For Mediation (Form 410)
Motion For Default (Form 12.922(a))
Motion To Set Final Hearing (Form 435)