POST-MEDIATION INFORMATION
(NO MINOR CHILDREN)
(PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE)
(I) Optional Legal Services:
Please see below for the names of attorneys whom may be able to provide some related legal services to you with regard to your divorce. Of course, I recommend that you research and choose the attorney(s), professional(s), or other person(s) whom you decide meets your needs (a link to the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service website is provided below). The named attorneys below are only provided as a courtesy to you and should not be construed no interpreted as recommendations or that these attorneys will meet your needs or be able to provide the exact service(s) you may need. I have no interest in whether or not you choose to work with any of the attorneys whose name are below. The choice is always yours alone to research and make. Any fees mentioned below are provided upon information and belief. You must speak with the particular professional to determine their correct and current fees.
Help With Drafting &/or Filing Of Divorce Forms With Court:
Many of my clients choose to fill-out the court's Uncontested Divorce forms themselves. Please ensure to obtain the forms yourself, or contact an attorney to prepare them on your behalf. Ethically, I cannot and do not prepare those forms for you. If you would like to consult and/or retain an attorney whose practice concentrates in the preparation of divorce forms, here is one whom many of my clients have used: Name: Dawn M. Saddik, P.A., Phone: (561) 827-8029, E-Mail: dsaddik@att.net. It is my understanding that as of March 2024, Dawn charges a fee starting at starting at $499 (actual fee depends upon the level of service you request/need from her and the particular County in which the divorce will be filed) to complete the standard forms for an uncontested dissolution of marriage for you to file self-represented. It is my understanding that as of March 2024, Dawn charges a fee starting at $1,200.00 (actual fee depends upon the level of service you request/need from her and the particular County in which the divorce will be filed) to file a limited appearance, which includes the standard document preparation, filing the documents, preparing the Final Judgment, and setting and attending the final hearing with the Petitioner. This option may allow you to choose the date of your final hearing. The filing fee paid to the clerk is paid by the client. I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OR INFLUENCE about her current rates/fees for professional services. Please let Dawn know that Eric Epstein was your mediator.
Help With Drafting A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
If the Mediated Marital Settlement Agreement provides for the transfer of certain non-IRA retirement plans (e.g., 401k, pension, etc.), you will likely need a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) to submit to the Court with your filing. Please ensure to obtain one yourself or contact an attorney to prepare one for you. Ethically, I cannot and do not prepare that document(s) for you. If you would like to consult and/or retain an attorney whose practice concentrates in the preparation of QDROs, here is one whom many of my clients have used: Name: Matthew L. Lundy, Esq., Phone: 1-855-737-6529, Email: Matt@MLundyLaw.com, Website: www.mlundylaw.com.
Help With Drafting A Quit Claim Deed &/or Other Real Estate Issues
If the Mediated Marital Settlement Agreement provides for the transfer of real property, you will need to arrange for the appropriate transfer documents to be completed and/or filed. Ethically, I cannot and do not do that for you. If you would like to consult and/or retain an attorney whose practice concentrates in real estate law, here is an attorney who can contact for assistance (please let Yelena know that Eric Epstein was your mediator): Name: Yelena Sverdlova, Esq., LL.M., Phone: (754) 444-1442; Cell Phone: (908) 420-2968, Website: www.CapitalPlanningLaw.com.
Help With Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts
If you are interested in consulting with an experienced Florida Bar Board Certified estate planning attorney to review, update and/or draft estate planning documents (e.g., wills, guardianships, trusts, healthcare documents), here is one you can contact to see if he can meet your needs (please let him know that Eric Epstein was your mediator): Name: Joseph Karp, Esq., Phone: 561-625-1100, Email: klf@karplaw.com, Website: www.karplaw.com.
Florida Bar Lawyer 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: Website: https://lrs.floridabar.org/
(II) Sign, Date & Notarize:
Only 1 signed and notarized copy of the MMSA is generally required. However, if you each want to keep an original signed and notarized version for yourself, then print two original 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 where there is a notary and have the document(s) notarized at the same time. However, you can sign, date, and notarize the MMSA separately. Please review Section 3 of the MMSA to understand the "Effective Date" of the document, and please review the documents(s) for information about how each may be executed. The Court should need just a copy of the signed, dated, and notarized MMSA (always check with the specific court to verify).
(III) Obtaining The Uncontested Divorce Forms With The Appropriate Court:
Please do a Google search for the family court website for your specific County and search for 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." You also also encouraged to contact the appropriate court clerk for specific instructions on where to find the correct forms for an uncontested divorce with children following mediation (make sure the clerk knows that you went to private mediation and have a Mediated Marital Settlement Agreement already done 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 of mine have informed me that when they have tried to use Turbo Court to create the court forms, it asks them to duplicate many of the items contained in the various settlement agreements that I drafted for you - and that it does not allow them to simply refer to the settlement documents. Thus, many clients find it easier to complete the .pdf or other available format of the hard copy forms found on the Court's website or obtained from the court instead of using Turbo Court. There also may be an option for you to file the completed divorce forms via e-file. 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.
(IV) Financial Affidavit:
You will EACH likely need to complete the Financial Affidavit(s) which are available as part of the Court’s divorce packet. It is helpful, but not required nor am I recommending, to complete the asset and liabilities sections together so that the information on both Financial Affidavits is consistent. 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.
With regard to the monthly expense categories, please use your judgment as far as how much detailed information you feel is appropriate. You need to be accurate as the Affidavit is a sworn document.
(V) 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 THIS LINK: sample set for forms. THESE FORMS ARE ONLY A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF HOW SOME OF THE FORMS MAY BE FILLED-OUT. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO 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.
(VI) 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 carefully the requirements as set forth on the Court's website with regard to the availability of this option. In addition to other requirements, it is generally not available if Alimony to either spouse was made part of the MMSA or if you have minor children.
DISCLAIMER - THIS PAGE AND ALL DOCUMENTS/FORMS FOUND OR LINKED FROM THIS PAGE/WEBSITE ARE INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE AND VIEWING OF CLIENTS OF PEACEFULSPLIT® DIVORCE MEDIATION &/or LAW OFFICE OF ERIC B. EPSTEIN, PA.
The sample set of Florida divorce court forms and the information contained on this page and found on or linked from this website are for ONLY for general information purposes and are provided as a courtesy. The specific divorce court forms you need to use to file with the court in your county are available directly from the court, its website, or from an attorney of your own choosing.
THE FORMS ARE GENERIC IN NATURE AND FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.
YOU SHOULD NOT USE OR RELY UPON ANY OF THESE DOCUMENTS OR INFORMATION WITHOUT FIRST SEEKING LEGAL AND/OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. You should consult with the clerk of the court in your county or an attorney if you want specific advice about completing the actual and official Florida divorce court forms and/or the legal consequences and effect upon you.
NO representation is being made by Eric B. Epstein, Esq., PeacefulSplit® Divorce Mediation, or the Law Office of Eric B. Epstein, P.A. as to the accuracy or completeness of the sample set of Florida divorce court form nor that they are filled-out applicable to your unique situation. The provision of this set of sample forms is NOT to be construed in any way as specific advice, opinions, or recommendations as to your exact situation nor advice about your legal rights, remedies, or options.
The provision of the sample set of Florida divorce court forms (and the forms themselves) do NOT constitute legal advice nor opinions of any kind. NO attorney-client relationship is created between you or with any person accessing or otherwise using or relying on any of these documents and Eric B. Epstein, Esq. or the Law Office of Eric B. Epstein, P.A. The sample set of Florida divorce court forms may contain information referencing and particular to Palm Beach County.
It is your responsibility to ensure you use the correct and official court forms for your county and make any additions, corrections, modifications, changes accordingly.