Self Help Program

General Information

You cannot file a dissolution of marriage (divorce) action in Florida unless you and/or your spouse have been a resident of Florida for at least six months. In 1995 the Florida Supreme Court created several simplified forms and directions to assist those persons in family law court cases who do not have attorneys to represent them (pro se litigants). This information is not intended as a substitute for legal advice from an attorney; but for those persons who decide to proceed on their own in dissolution actions, without an attorney, the forms can be very helpful.

The Clerk of Circuit Court for Hernando County has created four separate "packets" of forms and instructions, each pertaining to a different specific type of dissolution action. These are:

  1. A simplified dissolution of marriage where there are no minor or dependent children, either no property or an agreed distribution, and neither party is seeking support (alimony). Both parties must sign the petition and both parties must attend the final hearing for this type of dissolution.
  2. A dissolution of marriage where there are minor or dependent children.
  3. A dissolution of marriage where there is property, but no minor or dependent children, and there is disagreement about the property, debts or other matters that you want a judge to settle, or one of the parties is seeking support (alimony) or you want to obtain information about your spouse’s income, assets and debts before having a final hearing.
  4. A dissolution of marriage where there is no property and no minor or dependent children and neither party is seeking support (alimony).

Each of these packets contain all the forms necessary to complete that specific type of dissolution action, along with instructions on how to prepare them. The charge assessed for each package covers only the cost of copying. You must still pay appropriate filing fees to initiate the action. The Clerk of Circuit Court will answer questions for you to the best of their ability, but they are not attorneys and cannot give you legal advice. Some assistance may be obtained from the following sources:

  • Community Legal Services of Mid Florida, Inc.: Legal representation may be provided through this agency for low-income persons. For more information contact: (352) 796-7238.
  • Family Law Clinic (sponsored by Community Legal Services of Mid Florida, Inc.): A non-lawyer clerical employee reviews the forms contained in the packets and individually explains how to complete them. At the end of the session an attorney will be available to answer any legal questions that arise. For more information, contact the Community Legal Services of Mid Florida at (352) 796-7238.
  • The Legal Clinic (a project of the Hernando County Bar Association): A free legal consultation may be available for low income persons who cannot afford an attorney. To schedule an appointment call (352) 796-6406.
  • Family Law Self-Help Coordinator: Before a final hearing may be scheduled, an appointment must be made with the family law self-help coordinator to review the file and ensure that it is complete and all necessary documents are present. If all of the forms are present and correctly completed, a self-help coordinator will schedule a final hearing and advise you of the date and time you are to be in court. IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING YOURSELF IN A DISSOLUTION ACTION, YOU CANNOT GET A FINAL HEARING BEFORE THE JUDGE WITHOUT THIS REVIEW.


We can be reached at (352) 540-6274 from 8:00 to 5:00, Monday - Friday, and are located in Room 204 at the Hernando County Courthouse, 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, Florida 34601.

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