Divorce attorneys in Orlando charge $350–$500 per hour. For most couples, a straightforward uncontested case can run $5,000–$15,000 in legal fees — mostly for paperwork. Here's the thing: the majority of Orange County divorces are uncontested, meaning both spouses already agree on the core issues. Most people are paying attorney rates to have forms filled out that they could prepare themselves.
Florida law gives you the absolute right to represent yourself in family court. Orange County courts process pro se divorces every day, and the Florida Supreme Court publishes approved forms specifically for self-represented filers. This guide shows you exactly how to use them.
TL;DR — Orange County Divorce Quick Reference
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | 9th Judicial Circuit - Orange County Family Court |
| Clerk address | 425 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 (Family Division) |
| Filing fee | ~$408 (no minor children), ~$409 (with minor children) |
| Mandatory waiting period | 20 days after service before final hearing |
| e-Filing portal | myflcourtaccess.com (mandatory) |
| Residency requirement | 6 months in Florida, 3 months in Orange County |
| Uncontested timeline | 4-8 weeks typical |
| Contested timeline | 6-18 months |
Filing fees are paid directly to the Orange County Clerk of Courts and are NOT included in any document preparation service.
Orange County Filing Information
The Court
Orange County divorces are handled by the 9th Judicial Circuit Court — Family Law Division. The clerk's office is located at 425 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. All petitions, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, and parenting plans are processed through the Family Division at this address.
If you need in-person help navigating the process, the Orange County Self-Help Center is available at the courthouse. Staff can answer general procedural questions and help you understand which forms you need — though they cannot give legal advice.
e-Filing Is Mandatory
In Orange County, you do not walk to the courthouse and hand paper forms to the clerk. Florida requires all family law documents to be filed electronically through the statewide portal: myflcourtaccess.com. You will create a free account, upload your completed forms as PDFs, and submit electronically. The clerk reviews the filing, assesses the fee, and notifies you by email.
The filing fee of approximately $408–$409 is paid online through the portal at the time of submission. This fee is paid directly to the Orange County Clerk of Courts — it is not included in any document preparation service.
The 20-Day Waiting Period
Florida law requires a mandatory 20-day waiting period after your spouse is formally served before the court can schedule a final hearing. Even if both spouses agree on everything and are ready to move forward immediately, the clock must run. The earliest your divorce can be finalized is 20 days after service — and realistically a few weeks beyond that due to court scheduling.
Step-by-Step: How to File for Divorce in Orange County
Step 1: Determine Your Divorce Type
Before you prepare a single form, figure out which path you're on:
- Uncontested — You and your spouse agree on all major issues: division of assets and debts, parenting arrangements (if children are involved), and any support obligations. This is the fast, affordable path.
- Contested — There is at least one issue you cannot agree on. This path takes longer, costs more, and may eventually require a judge to decide.
Most Orange County couples who have had honest conversations about their situation end up on the uncontested path. If you're unsure, read through the issues list below and see how many you can resolve together before filing.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before completing any forms, collect the following:
- Marriage certificate
- Recent pay stubs or proof of income for both spouses
- Last two years of federal tax returns
- Statements for all bank accounts, retirement accounts, and investment accounts
- Mortgage statements or lease agreements
- Titles for vehicles
- Recent credit card and loan statements
- Children's school and medical records (if applicable)
Having this information at hand makes completing the financial affidavit significantly faster and more accurate.
Step 3: Prepare Your Petition and Financial Affidavit
The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is the document that formally opens your case. It tells the court who you are, that the marriage is irretrievably broken, and what you are requesting — property division, parenting arrangements, support, and restoration of a former name if applicable.
Florida is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. "Irretrievably broken" is the only grounds required.
Both spouses must also complete a Financial Affidavit — a sworn, detailed statement of income, monthly expenses, assets, and debts. There are two versions:
- Short form (12.902(b)) — for filers with gross income under $50,000/year
- Long form (12.902(c)) — for filers at $50,000/year or above
Every number on this document is signed under penalty of perjury. Take it seriously.
Step 4: E-File on myflcourtaccess.com
Go to myflcourtaccess.com, create a free account if you don't have one, and submit your completed forms as PDFs. The portal will collect your filing fee by credit or debit card. After submission, the clerk's office reviews your documents and sends a case number by email. Keep this email — you will need your case number for every subsequent filing.
Step 5: Serve Your Spouse
After filing, your spouse must be formally served with a copy of the petition. In Orange County, you have two options:
- Sheriff service — The Orange County Sheriff's Office will serve your spouse for approximately $40. Fill out the process service form at the time of filing and include payment.
- Notarized Waiver of Service — If your spouse is cooperative and willing to sign a notarized waiver, they can acknowledge receipt of the petition without formal service. This saves time and cost and starts the 20-day clock immediately.
Step 6: Mandatory Financial Disclosure Exchange
Under Florida Family Law Rule 12.285, both spouses must exchange mandatory financial disclosures within 45 days of service. This includes the financial affidavit, tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements. This is not optional — failure to exchange disclosures can delay your case or result in sanctions.
Step 7: Reach a Settlement or Attend a Hearing
If you are on the uncontested path, your attorney — or rather, you as your own representative — will submit a Marital Settlement Agreement covering property division, debt allocation, and any support terms. If children are involved, you will also submit a Parenting Plan.
Once the 20-day waiting period has passed and all documents are filed, the court will schedule a brief final hearing. For uncontested cases, this hearing typically lasts 10–20 minutes. The judge reviews the agreement, confirms it is fair and complete, and enters the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.
If you cannot reach agreement, the case becomes contested and proceeds through mediation, discovery, and potentially a trial.
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Uncontested vs. Contested: Which Path Are You On?
Uncontested means both spouses agree — in writing — on all of the following:
- How real estate, vehicles, and financial accounts will be divided
- How marital debts will be allocated
- Whether either spouse will pay or receive alimony
- If children are involved: where they will live, the parenting schedule, holiday rotation, decision-making authority, and child support amount
If you can check every box, you are on the uncontested path. Timeline: 4–8 weeks after filing.
Contested means at least one issue is unresolved. The case proceeds through mandatory mediation (required in Orange County before a hearing), and potentially a trial if mediation fails. Timeline: 6–18 months.
The good news: most couples who start thinking they're contested find, after a few direct conversations, that they can reach agreement on the key issues. The more you can resolve before filing, the faster and less expensive the process.
What a Document Preparer Does (and Does NOT Do)
A legal document preparation service:
Can do:
- Prepare your Florida Supreme Court approved forms based on information you provide
- Ensure all required fields are completed and forms are in the correct format for e-filing
- Prepare your Petition, Financial Affidavit, Marital Settlement Agreement, and Parenting Plan
- Provide notarization services for documents that require it
Cannot do:
- Give you legal advice or tell you what to ask for
- Represent you in court or appear at hearings
- Make decisions about how to divide your property or set your parenting schedule
- Predict how a judge will rule on any contested issue
You remain your own legal representative. You file the documents yourself through myflcourtaccess.com. The document preparer's job is to make sure the paperwork is right.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Forms: Which One Do You Need?
| Form | Use It When... |
|---|---|
| 12.901(b)(1) | Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — no minor children |
| 12.901(b)(2) | Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — with minor children |
| 12.902(b) | Short Financial Affidavit — gross income under $50,000/year |
| 12.902(c) | Long Financial Affidavit — gross income $50,000/year or above |
| 12.902(f)(1) | Marital Settlement Agreement — no minor children |
| 12.902(f)(2) | Marital Settlement Agreement — with minor children |
| 12.995(a) | Parenting Plan — required whenever minor children are involved |
All of these forms are Florida Supreme Court approved and accepted by the 9th Judicial Circuit. Using unofficial or outdated forms is one of the most common reasons self-represented filers have their cases kicked back.
Orange County-Specific Details
Courthouse and Clerk: The Orange County Courthouse Family Division is located at 425 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Filing is done electronically — you do not need to visit the courthouse to open your case. The clerk's office is reachable at (407) 836-2060 for questions about your case status after filing.
Mandatory e-Filing: myflcourtaccess.com is not optional in Orange County — it is required for all family law filings. Paper submissions are not accepted for new cases.
Self-Help Center: The Orange County Self-Help Center is located on the ground floor of the main courthouse building. If you have procedural questions — which form goes where, how to fill out a specific field, or what the next step in your case is — staff at the Self-Help Center can help. They cannot give legal advice, but they can clarify court procedures and point you to the right resources.
Mediation: Orange County requires mediation before any contested family law hearing. If you cannot reach a full settlement on your own, the court will order you to attend mediation with a certified mediator before the case goes to a judge.
Timeline Breakdown
| Scenario | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Uncontested, no children | 4-6 weeks after filing |
| Uncontested, with children | 6-10 weeks (parenting plan adds 2-4 weeks) |
| Contested, goes to mediation | 3-6 months |
| Contested, goes to trial | 6-18 months |
The 20-day mandatory waiting period is embedded in all of these timelines — it starts the clock but does not finalize anything on its own. Court scheduling, document review, and back-and-forth on the settlement agreement are what drive the total timeline.
Cost Comparison
| Option | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Divorce attorney (uncontested) | $3,500–$10,000 |
| Divorce attorney (contested) | $10,000–$25,000+ |
| Document preparation service | $200–$500 (plus filing fees) |
| Total DIY (no preparer) | Filing fees only (~$408–$409) |
The filing fee is the same regardless of which path you choose — it is paid to the court. The difference is who prepares your documents. A document preparer gives you professionally prepared, correctly formatted forms at a fraction of attorney cost. You do the filing yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to live in Orange County before I can file?
You must have lived in Florida for at least 6 months and in Orange County for at least 3 months immediately before filing. If you have lived in Florida for six months but Orange County for only two months, wait one more month before filing. Your spouse does not need to live in Orange County — only you.
Can I file if my spouse lives in another state?
Yes. Florida residency is based on your own continuous presence in the state, not your spouse's location. As long as you have lived in Florida for 6 months and Orange County for 3 months, you can file here. Your spouse will be served in whatever state they live in.
What if my spouse won't sign anything?
If your spouse refuses to participate, the case becomes contested. You can still file the petition and formally serve your spouse — and a document preparer can still help you prepare those initial forms. But if your spouse contests the divorce or fails to respond, you may eventually need an attorney to advise you on strategy. A non-responding spouse (after proper service and a waiting period) can result in a default judgment, but the path there has specific procedural requirements.
How does e-filing work?
Go to myflcourtaccess.com and create a free account using your email address. Once logged in, you will start a new case, enter your case information, upload your completed forms as PDFs, and pay the filing fee by credit or debit card. The system sends you a confirmation email with your case number. After the clerk reviews and accepts your documents, you will receive another email confirming your filing is accepted.
What is the Financial Affidavit and do I need it?
Yes, it is required. Under Florida Family Law Rule 12.285, both parties in a dissolution of marriage case must exchange financial affidavits. It is a sworn statement of your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. There is no way around it — it applies to both contested and uncontested cases unless a judge grants a specific waiver (which is rare). Use the short form (12.902(b)) if your gross income is under $50,000/year; use the long form (12.902(c)) if it is $50,000/year or above.
Can I get a fee waiver for the filing fee?
Yes, if your income qualifies. File an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status with the clerk at the time you submit your petition. The clerk will review your income against the state poverty guidelines. If approved, the filing fee is waived. You can find this form through the Orange County Clerk's office or on the Florida Courts website.
Get Your Orange County Divorce Forms Prepared
Pro Prep prepares your Florida divorce documents based on the information you provide. You receive complete, ready-to-file forms formatted for the 9th Judicial Circuit — then you file them yourself through myflcourtaccess.com. No attorney fees. No hourly billing. Just the paperwork, done right.
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Related Florida Divorce Guides
- How to File for Divorce in Florida Without a Lawyer — statewide overview
- How to File for Divorce in Miami-Dade County, Florida — 11th Judicial Circuit guide
- How to File for Divorce in Broward County, Florida — 17th Judicial Circuit guide
Pro Prep is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We prepare documents based on information you provide. For legal advice, contact the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-342-8011.