Clearwater and St. Petersburg divorce attorneys typically charge $300–$500 per hour. A straightforward uncontested divorce can still generate $5,000–$15,000 in legal fees — most of which pays for form preparation and correspondence. For couples who already agree on the major issues, that cost simply is not necessary. Filing for divorce without an attorney in Florida is called a "pro se" divorce, and it is fully recognized by the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County.
The Florida Supreme Court publishes approved forms designed specifically for self-represented filers. The Pinellas County Clerk of Court processes hundreds of pro se divorces every year. This guide walks you through every step — from residency requirements to submitting your documents on myflcourtaccess.com.
TL;DR — Pinellas County Divorce Quick Reference
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | 6th Judicial Circuit - Family Law Division |
| Main Clerk address | 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 |
| St. Pete branch | 545 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 |
| Filing fee | ~$408-$410 (no minor children or with minor children) |
| Mandatory waiting period | 20 days after service of process |
| e-Filing portal | myflcourtaccess.com (mandatory) |
| Residency requirement | 6 months in Florida + 3 months in Pinellas County |
| Uncontested timeline | 4-8 weeks typical |
| Contested timeline | 6-18 months |
Filing fees are paid directly to the Pinellas County Clerk of Court and are NOT included in any document preparation service.
Step-by-Step: How to File for Divorce in Pinellas County
Step 1 — Determine Your Divorce Type
Florida recognizes two grounds for divorce: irretrievable breakdown of the marriage (no-fault) and mental incapacity of a spouse. Nearly all Florida divorces use the no-fault ground. Within that, your case will be either:
- Uncontested — both spouses agree on all major issues (property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and parenting plan if children are involved)
- Contested — spouses disagree on one or more issues and a judge must decide
Uncontested divorces are dramatically faster and cheaper. If you and your spouse are not aligned yet, reaching a written agreement before filing can save months of court time.
Step 2 — Confirm Residency
To file in Pinellas County, you must have lived in Florida for at least 6 months and in Pinellas County for at least 3 months immediately before filing. If you meet the Florida residency requirement but recently moved to Pinellas from another Florida county, you may need to file in your prior county or wait until the 3-month mark.
Step 3 — Gather Your Documents
Before you open myflcourtaccess.com, collect:
- Marriage certificate (certified copy)
- Photo ID for both spouses
- Proof of Florida residency (utility bill, driver's license, or lease)
- Financial records: 3 months of pay stubs, last 2 years of tax returns, bank statements, mortgage or lease documents, retirement account statements
- If children are involved: children's birth certificates, school enrollment records, any existing custody orders
Step 4 — Complete Your Petition and Financial Affidavit
The core document is the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Florida Supreme Court approved forms are free at flcourts.gov. Use:
- Form 12.901(b)(1) — no minor children, no property/debt claims
- Form 12.901(b)(2) — no minor children, with property or debt claims
- Form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c) — Financial Affidavit (short or long form, required for ALL divorces under FL Rule 12.285)
A Financial Affidavit is not optional. Florida Rule of Family Law Procedure 12.285 requires both spouses to exchange mandatory financial disclosures within 45 days of service. Skipping this step causes delays and can result in sanctions.
Step 5 — E-File on myflcourtaccess.com
E-filing is mandatory in Pinellas County for all represented and self-represented parties. You cannot walk in and hand-file documents at the clerk's window. Create a free account at myflcourtaccess.com, complete your filer profile, and upload your petition and supporting documents as PDF files.
Once submitted, the clerk will review your filing and assign a case number. The $408-$410 filing fee is collected through the portal by credit or debit card. Keep the confirmation email — it is your proof of filing date.
Step 6 — Serve Your Spouse
After filing, your spouse must be formally served with a copy of the petition. Two common methods in Pinellas County:
- Sheriff service — the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office can serve your spouse for approximately $40. Request this through your attorney service or in person at the Civil Process Division.
- Notarized Waiver of Service — if your spouse agrees to cooperate, they can sign a notarized Acceptance and Waiver of Service (Form 12.900(a)), which eliminates the need for sheriff involvement and speeds up the process.
The 20-day waiting period begins on the date your spouse is served or signs the waiver.
Step 7 — Mandatory Disclosure, Settlement Agreement, or Hearing
After service, both parties must exchange mandatory financial disclosures under FL Rule 12.285 within 45 days. Once disclosures are complete:
- Uncontested: Submit a signed Marital Settlement Agreement (Form 12.902(f)(1) for no children, Form 12.902(f)(2) for cases with a parenting plan) and request a final hearing. For truly uncontested cases, the hearing is often brief — sometimes under 10 minutes.
- Contested: The case moves into discovery and, for custody/parenting disputes, mandatory mediation required by the 6th Judicial Circuit. If mediation fails, the case proceeds to trial before a family law judge.
Uncontested vs. Contested: What It Means for You
| Factor | Uncontested | Contested |
|---|---|---|
| Typical timeline | 4-8 weeks | 6-18 months |
| Court hearings | 1 brief final hearing | Multiple hearings + possible trial |
| Cost | Lower (forms + filing fee) | Higher (attorney fees, discovery, expert witnesses) |
| Mediation required | No (unless custody disputed) | Yes (for parenting/custody issues in Pinellas) |
| Stress level | Manageable | Significant |
The single biggest lever you have over your timeline and cost is reaching agreement with your spouse before you file. Even couples who start out disagreeing often reach a settlement once they see what a contested case actually costs.
What a Document Preparer Does (and Does Not Do)
A Florida document preparation service occupies a specific legal space. Here is exactly where that line is:
We can help you:
- Identify the correct Florida Supreme Court approved forms for your situation
- Prepare, complete, and organize your petition, financial affidavit, and supporting documents
- Review documents for completeness and formatting errors before you file
- Provide notarization services where required
We do not:
- Give legal advice or tell you what to do in your specific situation
- Represent you in court or at hearings
- File documents on your behalf — you submit everything yourself through myflcourtaccess.com
- Advise on strategy for contested matters
This distinction matters. Under Florida law, only licensed attorneys may practice law. Document preparation services handle the paperwork; you handle the legal decisions. For complex or contested situations — significant assets, disputed custody, domestic violence — consulting a licensed Florida family law attorney is the right move.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Forms Reference
| Form Number | Use It When... |
|---|---|
| 12.901(b)(1) | No minor children, no significant assets or debts |
| 12.901(b)(2) | No minor children, but there IS property or debt to divide |
| 12.902(b) | Financial Affidavit - Short Form (income under $50k/yr) |
| 12.902(c) | Financial Affidavit - Long Form (income $50k/yr or more) |
| 12.902(f)(1) | Marital Settlement Agreement - no minor children |
| 12.902(f)(2) | Marital Settlement Agreement with Parenting Plan |
| 12.995(a) | Parenting Plan (required when minor children are involved) |
| 12.913(b) | Affidavit of Diligent Search (when spouse's location is unknown) |
All forms are available free at flcourts.gov. Pinellas County does not require additional local forms beyond the statewide set for standard dissolution cases.
Pinellas County Divorce Timeline at a Glance
| Scenario | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|
| Uncontested - no minor children | 4-6 weeks |
| Uncontested - with minor children | 6-10 weeks |
| Contested - settles at mediation | 4-9 months |
| Contested - goes to trial | 12-18+ months |
Timelines assume complete, accurate filings. Missing documents, incorrect forms, or service issues add weeks to any scenario.
Cost Comparison: Attorney vs. Document Preparer vs. DIY
| Option | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Pinellas County attorney | $5,000-$25,000+ | Contested cases, complex assets, custody disputes |
| Document preparation service | $350-$500 + court fees (~$410) | Uncontested divorces with straightforward paperwork |
| Full DIY | Court fees only (~$410) | Confident self-filers with simple situations |
The document preparation option hits the middle ground: professional quality forms at a fraction of attorney fees, with you staying in control of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to live in Pinellas County specifically, or just Florida?
A: Both. You must have lived in Florida for at least 6 months AND in Pinellas County for at least 3 months immediately before you file. If you recently moved to Pinellas from another Florida county, you may need to wait until you hit the 3-month mark or file in your previous county of residence.
Q: Can I legally represent myself in a Pinellas County divorce?
A: Yes. Florida law gives every person the right to represent themselves pro se (without an attorney) in family court. The 6th Judicial Circuit processes pro se divorces routinely. The Pinellas County Clerk's Self-Help Center at the Clearwater courthouse offers procedural guidance for self-represented filers.
Q: What if my spouse refuses to sign anything?
A: If your spouse is served but does not respond within 20 days, you can request a default. A default allows the case to move forward on the petitioner's terms without the other spouse's participation. Your spouse still has the right to contest at any point before the final judgment is entered, but non-response is not a dead end.
Q: Is e-filing actually mandatory, or can I file in person?
A: Mandatory. Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC13-7 requires electronic filing in all circuit courts, including Pinellas. The only exceptions are for filers with a court-approved exemption for technology access issues. All standard filers — including self-represented parties — must use myflcourtaccess.com.
Q: What is the Financial Affidavit and can I skip it?
A: No. Florida Rule of Family Law Procedure 12.285 requires both parties to exchange a Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c)) and supporting financial documents within 45 days of service. This is not optional even in an uncontested divorce. Failure to comply can delay your case and expose you to court sanctions.
Q: What if I cannot afford the $408-$410 filing fee?
A: Florida courts have a fee waiver process for filers who meet income-based hardship criteria. Ask the Pinellas County Clerk's Office about an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status. If approved, the filing fee is waived. The Self-Help Center at the Clearwater courthouse can point you to the correct form.
Ready to Get Started?
Pro Se Document Preparation helps Pinellas County residents prepare accurate, complete divorce documents at a fraction of attorney costs. We handle the paperwork — you stay in control of your case.
Get Your Pinellas County Divorce Documents Prepared - Start Here
Other Florida County Divorce Guides
Filing in a different county? See our guides for:
- How to File for Divorce in Miami-Dade County, Florida (11th Judicial Circuit)
- How to File for Divorce in Broward County, Florida (17th Judicial Circuit)
- How to File for Divorce in Hillsborough County, Florida (13th Judicial Circuit)
- How to File for Divorce in Palm Beach County, Florida (15th Judicial Circuit)
Pro Se Document Preparation is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. For legal questions, contact the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-342-8011.