Do you qualify for the simplified route? It hinges on a handful of yes/no questions about children, property, and alimony. The fastest way to know is our free 3-minute eligibility check — we'll confirm whether you can use simplified dissolution or need the regular track, before you touch a form.
A simplified dissolution of marriage (Florida Family Law Form 12.901(a)) is a streamlined divorce for couples who agree completely and have the simplest possible situation. Instead of one spouse petitioning and the other responding, you file a joint petition together and walk through a short, cooperative process. It's the fastest, least expensive way to divorce in Florida — when you qualify.
What a simplified dissolution is
Florida created the simplified dissolution to let agreeing couples with nothing to fight over skip most of the friction of a regular divorce. There's no petitioner and respondent taking sides, no service of process, and far less paperwork. In exchange, you give up a few rights — chiefly the right to a trial and to appeal — which is fine when there's genuinely nothing in dispute.
Who qualifies for a simplified dissolution
This is the part that trips people up. To use the simplified route, every one of these must be true — miss a single one and you must file a regular dissolution instead:
You qualify only if ALL of these are true:
- You both agree the marriage is irretrievably broken
- No minor or dependent children together — and the wife is not pregnant
- You've agreed how to divide all property and debts
- Neither spouse is asking for alimony
- You both give up the right to a trial and an appeal
- You both sign the petition — and both attend the final hearing
Miss even one? You'll use a regular (still uncontested) dissolution instead.
One more baseline rule applies to every Florida divorce, simplified or not: at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for the six months before filing.
Not sure you clear every box? The children, alimony, and property questions are exactly what our free eligibility check sorts out in about three minutes — so you don't file the wrong petition and start over.
Simplified vs. regular dissolution
If you agree but can't use the simplified route (usually because you have children or one of you wants alimony), you're not stuck with a courtroom battle — you use a regular dissolution, which is still uncontested when you agree. It just uses more forms and gives you more flexibility. Here's how they compare:
| Simplified dissolution | Regular (uncontested) | |
|---|---|---|
| Minor children | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Alimony | Neither can seek it | Allowed by agreement |
| How you file | Joint petition, both sign | One files, other responds |
| Final hearing | Both must attend | One can waive appearance |
| Paperwork | The least | More forms |
| Relative speed | Fastest route | Still fast when agreed |
For the full walkthrough of the regular route, see our guide to uncontested divorce in Florida.
The forms you'll need
A simplified dissolution uses a short, specific set of Florida Supreme Court–approved forms:
- Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage — Form 12.901(a), signed by both spouses.
- Marital Settlement Agreement — Form 12.902(f)(3), if you're dividing property or debts.
- Family Law Financial Affidavit — Form 12.902(b) or (c) from each spouse, unless you both file a Joint Verified Waiver (Form 12.902(k)).
- Affidavit of Corroborating Witness — Form 12.902(i), if you prove residency by affidavit rather than a Florida ID.
- Family Court Cover Sheet — Form 12.928, plus any local county cover sheet.
- Final Judgment of Simplified Dissolution of Marriage — Form 12.990(a), the order the judge signs.
The blank forms are free from the Florida Courts forms library. For the complete picture of every Florida divorce form and which packet fits your case, see our Florida divorce forms guide.
How the simplified process works, step by step
Confirm you both qualify
6-month residency + every requirement on the checklist
Complete the joint petition & agreement
Form 12.901(a) + settlement agreement, signed by both spouses
File jointly & pay the fee
File together with the Clerk of Court · ~$408 · no service needed
Wait the mandatory 20 days
Florida's minimum between filing and the final judgment
Both attend the final hearing
The judge signs your Final Judgment (Form 12.990(a)) — you're divorced
Two features make this route distinct. First, there's no service of process — because you file jointly, nobody has to be formally "served." Second, unlike a regular uncontested case where one spouse can waive their appearance, in a simplified dissolution both of you must show up to the final hearing.
The final hearing (you both attend)
The simplified dissolution's one unavoidable in-person (or, in many counties, video) step is the final hearing, and both spouses must attend together. It's short and non-adversarial: the judge confirms you both still want the divorce, that you understand you're giving up a trial, and that your paperwork is in order — then signs the final judgment. Whether it's held in person or by Zoom depends on your judicial circuit, so check with the clerk or judicial assistant.
Cost and timeline
The costs are the same court fee as any Florida divorce — about $408 to the Clerk of Court — plus whatever you spend preparing the documents. Because there's no service and minimal paperwork, the simplified route is typically the fastest: after the mandatory 20-day waiting period, most cases finish within a few weeks, limited mainly by how quickly your county schedules the final hearing. For the full cost breakdown across every route, see how much a divorce costs in Florida.
Simplified dissolution, prepared for you
Even the simplest route has a strict eligibility list and a specific form set — and if you file simplified when you don't actually qualify, the clerk sends you back to start over on the regular forms. Amicably confirms which route you're eligible for and prepares the correct packet either way, for a flat $99, with online notarization handled for you (the notary's session fee is separate).
$99 flat — the right packet, done
- Confirms which route you qualify for
- The correct forms, prepared
- Specialist review of every page
- Online notarization handled for you (notary fee separate, at cost)
No per-form fees. (The notary's session fee and the court's ~$408 filing fee are paid separately.)
See if you qualify for the simplified route — free, 3 minutes
Answer a few questions about children, property, and support, and we'll tell you whether simplified dissolution is open to you and prepare your packet for a flat $99.
Check if you qualifyFrequently asked questions
What is a simplified dissolution of marriage in Florida?
It's a streamlined divorce for couples who agree completely and have the simplest situation — no minor children, no alimony, and full agreement on property. Both spouses file a joint petition (Form 12.901(a)) and attend a short final hearing together. It's the fastest, cheapest way to divorce in Florida when you qualify.
Who qualifies for a simplified dissolution in Florida?
You qualify only if you meet every requirement: you both agree the marriage is irretrievably broken, you have no minor or dependent children together and the wife isn't pregnant, you've divided all property and debts by agreement, neither spouse seeks alimony, you both give up the right to a trial and appeal, and you both sign the petition and attend the final hearing. Miss one and you file a regular dissolution.
Do both spouses have to go to court for a simplified dissolution?
Yes. Unlike a regular uncontested divorce, where one spouse can waive their appearance, a simplified dissolution requires both spouses to attend the final hearing together. It's short and non-adversarial, and in many counties it can be held by video.
What forms do I need for a simplified dissolution of marriage?
The core forms are the Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution (Form 12.901(a)), a marital settlement agreement (Form 12.902(f)(3)) if you're dividing property, financial affidavits or a joint waiver of them, and the Final Judgment of Simplified Dissolution (Form 12.990(a)). All are free to download from the Florida Courts website.
How long does a simplified dissolution take in Florida?
Florida requires at least 20 days between filing and the final judgment. Because a simplified dissolution has no service step and minimal paperwork, it's usually the fastest route — often just a few weeks, limited mainly by how soon your county schedules the final hearing.
Can I get a simplified dissolution if I have children?
No. If you have minor or dependent children together, or the wife is pregnant, you cannot use the simplified route — you must file a regular dissolution with a parenting plan and child support worksheet. It's still uncontested and fast when you agree; it just uses more forms.
How much does a simplified dissolution of marriage cost in Florida?
You pay the county filing fee of about $408, plus the cost of preparing your documents. Doing it yourself costs only the filing fee but carries rejection risk; Amicably prepares your complete simplified-dissolution packet, with notarization handled for you (notary fee separate), for a flat $99.
Official sources
Florida Courts — Dissolution of Marriage forms (incl. Form 12.901(a))
Florida Courts — DIY Florida self-help form tool
Florida Statutes, Chapter 61 — Dissolution of Marriage (§§ 61.021, 61.19)
Reviewed by the Amicably document team
Amicably is a Florida registered legal document preparation service. Our specialists prepare simplified and regular Florida dissolution packets daily from the official Florida Supreme Court–approved family law forms, confirming the correct route for each couple before anything is filed. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice.