Even though there is a downsize to legal document preparers because they cannot give legal advice and cannot represent a self-litigant in court, they sure can draft legal documents with great legal precision. If you decide to appear in court pro se (represent yourself), a legal document preparer can be your best ally. In my case, the fact that I was a former paralegal at a family law firm, makes me acquainted with court procedures and accurate legal writing. I can answer your questions in detail and explain complicated issues to you in simple words understandable to anyone that is alien to the legal environment. The great array of family matters I have dealt with makes me an experienced asset that you can put to good use when it comes to your specific legal issues.

No. Apart from yourself, only attorneys in good standing with The Florida Bar can represent you in court. Providing you with legal advice would constitute a violation of the code of Ethics of If your issue is of great complexity, you should seek the advice of an attorney.

Once you have selected your desired service, and submitted your inquiry either via phone or the contact page on the website, you will receive an email with three attachments: a questionnaire, a retainer agreement, and a welcome guide for your review and signature.

Upon receiving your completed questionnaire, your documents will be prepared within 1-3 business days (unless you have selected the expedited services, then your documents will be ready within 1-2 business day). You will receive your documents for review and signature. You have 3 free revisions.

Once all documents have been reviewed, signed and notarized, they will be filed with the Court. Your case will be assigned a case number and a judge division. You will not have to appear in court unless the judge requires your presence. You can expect your Final Judgment via email within 30 days of the initial filing (if you have an uncontested divorce. Other types of cases, such as adoption, name change, and paternity might take longer).

As soon as your Final Judgment has been signed, physical copies of all your documents will be delivered to your preferred location via USPS First Class Mail (1-5 business days).

No. The filing fees are charged separately. Filing fees vary depending on the type of family matter being filed. For example, a dissolution of marriage (divorce) will have a cost of $409.00, plus a statutory convenient fee of $14.32 for a total of $423.42. (Please, click here for filing fee costs). This fee can be waived, though, if you meet the requirements to be considered “indigent” to the eyes of the court.

To qualify for a fee waiver, an applicant must file an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status under Fla. Stat. 57.082. This affidavit is a summary of your current financial information. Filing this affidavit will not automatically qualify you for a fee waiver. The Clerk of Courts will determine whether you meet the requirements for said waiver based on the information provided on the affidavit. Pursuant to Fla. Stat. 57.082 (a)1. “An applicant (…) is indigent if the applicant’s income is equal to or below 200 percent of the then-current federal poverty guidelines prescribed for the size of the household of the applicant by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.”

There are two grounds for divorce in the state of Florida. To file for divorce, you only need to let the court know your marriage is irretrievably broken, which means there is no hope to fix it. No other explanation is needed. The other ground is based on the spouse’s being classified as mentally incapacitated, but this is not the most common ground.

No. Florida is a no-fault state, which means you do not have to provide an explanation as to the reasons why you have chosen to file for divorce. Adultery, abandonment, etc. are not grounds to be granted a final judgment of dissolution of marriage. Please, see question above for a better explanation on grounds for divorce.

The only requirement to open a family case in Florida is that at least one of the spouses/parties (or both) should meet the residency requirement, which means they must show prove of residency in the state for at least 6 months prior to the opening of the case. As proof of residence, you may submit either a current Florida driver’s license, a valid Florida ID, a voter registration card, or file an Affidavit of Corroborating Witness, where someone you know gives written testimony under oath that you have resided in the state for more than 6 months.

Yes, you can, as long as one of you meets the Florida residency requirement explained above.

Yes. If you do not know the whereabouts of your spouse, you may proceed to obtain constructive service (service by publication). You should file an Affidavit of Diligent Search and Inquiry letting the court know you have made good faith attempts to find your spouse. Usually, the divorce is granted.

There is no clear answer to that question as it all depends of the type of case you have. If you have a simplified or an uncontested divorce, you might get your final judgment within 30 days of filing. If you have a contested matter, it might take longer to litigate the case. It also depends on how complex your issues to the case might be.

Yes. I can initiate different types of family cases for self-represented individuals looking for professional legal documents, including, but not limited to uncontested and contested divorces, divorce by publication, paternity actions, modification cases, adoptions, name changes, and pre-nuptial agreements. Please, click here for more information on my services. If you do not find a service you may need, please, submit an inquire by using the contact form below.

Yes. I can help you collect and process all your financial documentation in connection with the Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosures, a Request for production,  interrogatories, subpoenas, or other forms of discovery. I can also assist you with the drafting of the requests, and the written responses to ensure compliance. For contested family matters, initial discovery should be completed within 45 days of service. Please, click here for more information.

Once you have signed your engagement agreement, you may cancel your contract within 24 hours of signing. Unless you have signed for an expedited service, which is intended to be completed within 24 hours or a business day. Just provide written notification of your desire for cancellation via email. If payment was made through debit/credit card, there will be a 10% processing fee to cover merchant expenses.