POST-MEDIATION INFORMATION (NO MINOR CHILDREN)
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE BEFORE PROCEEDING
The Information On This Page Is Only Intended To Be Referenced By Clients Of PeacefulSplit® Divorce Mediation.
Optional Legal Services
Please see below for the names of attorneys and other professionals who may be able to assist you in various ancillary services related to the divorce process and settlement. I recommend that you research and select the attorney(s), professional(s), or other individual (s) you believe will meet your needs (a link to the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service website is also provided). The professionals listed below are offered solely as a courtesy. They are not recommendations, and they may not be equipped to provide the services you require. I have no relationship with, or interest in, whether you choose to work with Ms. Saddik, Mr. Lundy, or any other attorney or professional; the decision is yours. Any fees mentioned below are provided upon information and belief. You must speak with a specific professional to determine their current fees.
Document Filing Support
Many of my clients choose to fill out the court's Uncontested Divorce forms themselves. Please obtain and complete the forms yourself, or contact an attorney or other professional to prepare them. As a Mediator, I cannot legally or ethically prepare those forms for you. If you would like to consult with or retain an attorney, many of my clients have used Dawn Saddik, Esq. It is my understanding that as of March 2024, Dawn's professional fee starts at $499 to complete the court forms for a simplified divorce, $599 for the standard uncontested dissolution of marriage forms, and $1,200.00 to prepare the standard uncontested dissolution of marriage forms and to file a limited appearance to file the documents, prepare the Final Judgment, and schedule and attend the final hearing with the Petitioner (this option may allow you to choose the date of your final hearing). Please note that her actual fees depend upon the specific level of service you request/need from her and the particular county in which the divorce will be filed. The client pays the filing fee to the clerk. I do not control or influence her current professional services rates/fees. Please let Dawn know that Eric Epstein was your mediator.
QDRO Drafting
If you expect the settlement to involve the transfer of a non-IRA retirement plan (e.g., 401 (k), pension, etc.), you will likely need a special court order (e.g., a QDRO) signed by the court and submitted to the plan administrator. Please ensure you obtain one or contact an attorney or other professional to prepare it. If you would like to consult with or retain an attorney, many of my clients have used Matthew Lundy, Esq. Please let Mr. Lundy know that Eric Epstein was your mediator.
Real Estate & Titles
If the Mediated Marital Settlement Agreement provides for the transfer of real property, you will likely need to arrange for the appropriate transfer documents to be completed and/or filed. You can handle it yourself or consult with or retain an attorney or title company that can assist.
Bar Referral Service
Please click on the following link to be taken to the website of the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service, where you can research and find attorney(s) who can provide legal services to you relating to the divorce and post-divorce process:
Sign, Date & Notarize
You generally need only 1 signed and notarized copy of the MMSA. However, if you each want to keep an original signed and notarized copy, print two original sets of documents. You must sign, date, and have your respective signatures notarized. Many spouses find it easier to go together to a bank or other location with a notary and have the documents notarized at the same time. However, you can sign, date, and notarize the MMSA separately. Please review the MMSA to understand the “MMSA Effective Date.” Please review the documents for information about how each can be executed. The Court should need just a copy of the signed, dated, and notarized documents (always check with the specific court to verify).
Obtaining The Uncontested Divorce Forms With The Appropriate Court
Please search Google for your county’s family court website and find the appropriate Dissolution of Marriage forms. Since you do not have any minor children, the forms you are seeking are generally called: “Dissolution of Marriage Without Children in Florida,” or it may be called “Dissolution of Marriage With Property but No Dependent/Minor Children.”
I strongly encourage you to contact the appropriate court clerk for specific instructions on where to find the current, applicable forms for an uncontested divorce without children following mediation (make sure the clerk knows you went to private mediation and already have a Mediated Marital Settlement Agreement completed and signed).
Some Counties suggest or recommend on their website that you create and file forms using a website called Turbo Court. Some former clients have told me that when they tried to use Turbo Court to create the court forms, it asked them to duplicate many items in the various settlement agreements I drafted for you, and it did not allow them to simply refer to the settlement documents. As a result, many clients find it easier to complete the .pdf or other available formats of the hard-copy forms on the Court’s website or at the court than to use Turbo Court. You may also be able to file the completed divorce forms via e-file.
- Legal Disclaimer & Guidance
I ALWAYS SUGGEST AND RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONSULT WITH THE APPROPRIATE COURT CLERK (OR AN ATTORNEY) FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS/ADVICE AND FOLLOW THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS OR GUIDANCE.
Financial Affidavit
The Court generally requires each of you to complete a Financial Affidavit, which is available as part of the Court’s divorce packet. If you file using the “Simplified Dissolution of Divorce” forms, you may not be required to file a financial affidavit; check with the court or the form’s instructions for specific requirements.
Courtesy Sample Set of Generic Uncontested Divorce Forms
A COURTESY copy of a sample set of Uncontested Divorce forms for your review is available by clicking the button below. THESE FORMS ARE ONLY A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF HOW SOME OF THE FORMS MAY BE FILLED OUT. Please read the Disclaimer on the Forms and as set forth below. DO NOT REPLY UPON THE SAMPLE FORMS IN AS-IS CONDITION. THE SAMPLE FORMS MAY NOT INCLUDE ALL OF THE FORMS YOU NEED TO COMPLETE AND FILE IN YOUR PARTICULAR COUNTY. THEY MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC CASE.
- IT IS SUGGESTED THAT YOU ALWAYS CONSULT WITH THE COURT AND/OR AN ATTORNEY FOR ANY ADVICE, SUGGESTIONS, OR GUIDANCE ABOUT THE SPECIFIC FORMS REQUIRED AND HOW TO PROPERLY COMPLETE THEM.
Additional Forms To File With Court
When you file the official “Dissolution of Marriage Without Children in Florida” or it may be called “Dissolution of Marriage With Property but No Dependent/Minor Children” forms, be sure to also include and file the Mediated Marital Settlement Agreement that I prepared for you and which you both signed, dated, and notarized.
You may be able to take advantage of the Simplified Divorce option. Please review the requirements carefully as set forth on the Court’s website regarding the availability of this option.
