Do I need an attorney to file for divorce?

It makes sense to have a full consultation with a qualified attorney. Some attorneys do offer free consultations and some do not. You do not need an attorney; however, depending on the complexity of the matters that are in your particular case, it would not make sense to not have counsel. You can do some research on your attorney by reviewing his or her profile on as well as doing a general google search and looking on the Florida Bar's website. Good luck.

Hire a lawyer who listens and gives advice in plain, simple English - no legal mumbo jumbo. There are billable hour lawyers and those like myself, that offer low cost/flat fee services. Lawyers are a dime a dozen (probably less). You need to feel comfortable with your choice. Look at websites and email or call a few. Most of us don't bite and many offer FREE consultation.

Many family law attorneys offer a free initial consultation, and you should take advantage of this opportunity before you proceed further. Whether or not you can handle the proceedings for a divorce on your own (pro se) is something you can explore and decide upon after such a consultation.

Require? No. Need? Probably. Too many people try to go through this on their own and unfortunately turn their case into a train wreck. Then they go scrambling for an attorney to fix the mess. Better to pay and get it done right. Pay for a consultation? Don't do that. There are plenty of attorneys who give free consultations and would love to speak with you. The right attorney is the one who you are comfortable with. You do not have to talk to just one. Talk to 10, 20 or more. At thirty minutes a consult, that's 5-10 hours of research finding the right attorney. Remember that in the end there will be a final judgment that will affect you the rest of your life. Good luck.

You can go to the clerk of family court and get a packet to do it on your own. I think its $50.00. However, especially if money is a problem for you, you should look for a free consultation; most lawyers offer them. Some of your other questions are unanswerable. It is impossible to choose the right attorney to go see if you have no referrals from anyone. You can check on these pages for their experience. The more experience the better usually.

It may be advisable to have an attorney depending on the issues involved in your situation. Many attorneys offer a free initial consultation, so it won't do you any harm to at least speak with a few attorneys. If you are unable to afford an attorney, the Clerk of Court provides packets of divorce forms. The website flcourts.org also offers free family law forms as well.

Florida does not require a party to hire an attorney to represent his/her interests in a dissolution of marriage matter. You can proceed without an attorney as Pro Se. However, before you decide to proceed Pro Se, I strongly advise that you meet with at least two to three different attorneys for a consultation to discuss the laws governing divorce in Florida; paying close attention to the Four Major Areas of Fl. Stat 61: Children Issues, Equitable Distribution of Assets and Debts, Spousal Support/Alimony and Contribution to Legal Fees and Costs. Some attorneys will charge a flat fee to meet with you, while others will offer free consultations. Be prepared with specific questions and areas of concerns, rather than utilize that time to vent about the situation or your spouse. Also ask poignant questions regarding the attorney's legal experience, emphasizing his or her trial experience. Many lawyers claim to know, but nothing is more valuable than years of practice and actual court room experience. I advise all my potential clients that when hiring an attorney you should hire someone that you have confidence in their abilities to represent you, and you have a good working relationship. Remember you are the boss who is hiring someone to represent your interests and the choices that you make during the divorce will have life altering and lasting consequences. Choice Wisely. All the best Samuel Filler