Dissolution of Marriage Procedure

by Anonymous from Florida

My husband has filed for dissolution of marriage with property, no children, and then left the state. Before filing and leaving, he had me served with the backup documentation, already filled out with my financial information, but did not actually serve me with the divorce document.

It appeared to be the backup only for a simplified dissolution telling me to sign the documentation so that he could file it with the court. Because he requested that I sign the documents stating I was not requesting alimony.

And because no petition for divorce was included, and because he did not provide me with his financial information at all, I did not sign anything. He has now filed his documents with the court and I understand I will be served. Is he not required by law to provide me with that documentation to proceed.

Answer to Florida Court Forms Question

Dear Anonymous,

He, apparently, will be providing you with documentation.

Every document that he files with the clerk of the court should also be provided to you by service of civil process.

You have 20 days to respond by filing an Answer to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Form 12.903(b).

The instructions for that form state in part:

This form should be used when you are responding to a petition for dissolution of marriage and you wish to admit or deny all of the allegations in the petition but you do not plan to file a counterpetition seeking relief.

You can use this form to answer any petition for dissolution of marriage, whether or not there are minor child(ren).

and: CONTESTED...

If you file an answer which disagrees with or denies anything in the petition, and you are unable to settle the disputed issues, either party may file a Notice for Trial, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.924, after you have complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers.

You are both required to provide the other party with a Family Law Financial Affidavit within 45 days of service of process, if that Affidavit was not filed along with the Petition.

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