Family
The family law division includes dissolutions of marriage, adoptions, adult and child name changes, paternity, child custody, and emancipation of a minor. Family law clerks are responsible for accepting new cases, maintaining existing cases, and providing customer service. Family law self-help packets are available through the Clerk’s Office. We cannot give legal advice and strongly recommend consulting with an attorney if you are unsure about filing on your own behalf.
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms have been developed for use by the Florida Supreme Court and are designed for use by everyone, but are especially helpful to individuals who wish to represent themselves in court matters related to family law. The additional forms in the packet that are provided by the 12th Judicial Circuit are designed for specific use within the 12th Circuit.
The following packets are available through our office:
- Petition for Name Change- Adult ($7)
- Petition for Name Change – Minor Child ($11)
- Petition for Name Change – Family ($11)
- Supplemental Petition to Modify Parental Responsibility, Time Sharing, and Other Relief ($19)
- Supplemental Petition to Modify Child Support ($16)
- Petition to Determine Paternity and Other Relief ($22)
- Motion for Civil Contempt/Enforcement ($7)
- Motion to Contest Impending Judgment for Non Child Support Enforcement Cases ($6)
- Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Children ($17)
- Petition for Support Unconnected with Dissolution of Marriage with No Dependents or No Minor Children ($12)
- Supplemental Petition for Modification of Alimony ($12)
- Joint Petition for Stepparent Adoption ($14)
- Supplemental Petition to Permit Relocation with Minor Children ($19)
- Petition to Disestablish Paternity and/or Terminate Child Support Obligation ($19)
- Petition for Temporary Custody by Extended Family Member ($15)
- Petition for Concurrent Custody by Extended Family Member ($15)
- Parenting Plan ($5)
- Basic Parenting Plan
- Safety Focused
- Highly Structured
- Long Distance
If you choose to represent yourself (also known as a pro se litigant) there is a family law self-help case manager available at the courthouse to assist with the case management of Non-Child Support Enforcement family matters. This service is available by appointment only and begins with completing a “Form A” which is located under the Forms tab on this website.
For your convenience, additional information concerning Florida family laws and opinions may be found at the following website: www.flcourts.org. The Florida Supreme Court website may be found at www.floridasupremecourt.org.
Forms can be located on the Forms page.
Dissolution of Marriage
The Clerk’s Office is where the legal process of a divorce begins and ends. While it is always recommended that you hire an attorney, the Clerk’s Office has pro se packets available for purchase. We are here to serve you and that begins with an overview of the various types of divorces and packets available in our office. There are four separate packets from which to choose, based on your family circumstances. Dissolution of Marriage packets are comprised of Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms, as well as additional forms provided by the 12th Judicial Circuit.
Available Dissolution of Marriage Packets:
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage $11.00
- At least one of the parties has been a resident of the State of Florida for six (6) months immediately before the filing of the papers.
- BOTH parties agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken and want to end the marriage.
- BOTH parties must be able to appear before the deputy clerk to sign the papers and before the judge at the final hearing.
- There are no minor (under 18 years of age) or dependent children together.
- The wife is not pregnant.
- The parties have made provisions about the division of their assets (what they own) and debts (what they owe).
- Filing fee is $408.00 made payable to DeSoto County Clerk of Court.
Dissolution of Marriage with NO dependent or minor children or property $14.00
- At least one of the parties has been a resident of the State of Florida for six (6) months immediately before the filing of the papers.
- Parties do NOT have dependent or minor children (under 18 years of age) in common.
- Parties do NOT own property together.
- You feel that the marriage is irretrievably broken and want to end the marriage.
- There are no martial assets (what you own) or debts (what you owe).
- Neither party is seeking spousal support (alimony).
- The wife is not pregnant.
- Filing fee is $408.00 made payable to DeSoto County Clerk of Court.
- The fee for issuing a summons is $10.00 made payable to the DeSoto County Clerk of Court.
Dissolution of Marriage with property but NO dependent or minor children $16.00
- At least one of the parties has been a resident of the State of Florida for six (6) months immediately before the filing of the papers.
- Parties do NOT have dependent or minor children (under 18 years of age) in common.
- You feel that the marriage is irretrievably broken and want to end the marriage.
- The parties have martial assets and/or marital liabilities.
- The wife is not pregnant.
- Filing fee is $408.00 made payable to DeSoto County Clerk of Court.
- The fee for issuing a summons is $10.00 made payable to the DeSoto County Clerk of Court.
Dissolution of Marriage with dependent or minor children $24.00
- At least one of the parties has been a resident of the State of Florida for six (6) months immediately before the filing of the papers.
- You feel that the marriage is irretrievably broken and want to end the marriage.
- There are dependent or minor children (under 18 years of age) together.
- The wife is pregnant.
- Filing fee is $408.00 made payable to DeSoto County Clerk of Court.
- The fee for issuing a summons is $10.00 made payable to the DeSoto County Clerk of Court.