How to even start the process?

Factastical · 2025-11-30T13:39:19+00:00

How? Like a man. Up and leave if you can. Let her know you're finished.

Odd-Zone-2635 · 2025-11-30T00:31:10+00:00

This is a great question. First, take a deep breath. What you are describing—a divorce with no kids and no real property—is the simplest, cheapest, and fastest type of divorce to execute

You are not headed for a courtroom battle; you are headed for a procedural checklist.

The movie trope of the papers being served without warning is real, but it's usually reserved for cases where one partner is missing, volatile, or uncooperative. For a simple dissolution like yours, you have a much better option.

Your Goal: Uncontested Dissolution of Marriage

In Florida, your entire process can be summarized in a few simple steps. Your goal is to keep the divorce uncontested because that is the path of least resistance (and cost).

Phase 1: The Robotic Communication Initiation (The Shitty Conversation)

You want to get the "shitty conversation" over, which is understandable. The trick is to keep it to one single conversation focused only on process, not emotion.

DO NOT have a long, rambling discussion. You are communicating to document intent, not to connect emotionally.

The Script (Use in person, then follow up with an email):

“I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I need to file for divorce. Given we have no kids and no property, this will be an extremely simple, uncontested process. I intend to use the standard Florida forms. I have filed them out, and I hope we can sign the agreement together next week to keep this cooperative and finalized quickly.”

The Key: You are stating the decision and immediately providing the solution (simple, uncontested forms). This makes it about paperwork, not personal failure.

Phase 2: The Logistics Checklist (The Filing)

Since you are in Florida and have no kids, your case is handled quickly via the Summary Dissolution path, provided you can agree on everything.

Get the Forms: Go to the Florida Courts website and find the forms for Dissolution of Marriage – Simplified (Form 12.901(a)). Since you don't have kids or property, the forms are short and manageable.

Settle the "Stuff": You said you just have "stuff and things." This is the only thing you need to agree on. Sit down with a simple list:

Who keeps which car? (Since they are separate, this is easy).

Who keeps which bank account? (Separate, easy).

The "Stuff": Use the simplest solution: He keeps what he bought; you keep what you bought. Or, "I want the couch, you can keep the TV." Do not fight over sentimental items or small dollar values. The lawyer cost to fight over a blender is $500.

File the Forms: Once you both sign the Marital Settlement Agreement (the simple list of "who gets what"), you file the paperwork at the courthouse in your county and pay the fee.

Service (The Movie Part): This is where the movie trope comes in. If you don't talk to your spouse, you have to pay a Sheriff or a Process Server to "serve" them the papers. However, if you are cooperative, your spouse can simply sign an "Answer and Waiver" form, waiving formal service. This saves you money and eliminates the dramatic scene.

Phase 3: The Final Hearing

After a 20-day waiting period, you will attend a brief final hearing. Since you have no kids, the judge will look at the signed Marital Settlement Agreement, ask if you both agree that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," and sign the final judgment. It is usually over in less than 15 minutes.

Your biggest challenge here is psychological: getting past the initial hard conversation. By framing the entire event as a simple, objective logistical process that you've already started, you are giving yourself and your spouse an easy route out.

Maseworld · 2025-11-30T00:26:01+00:00

Educate yourself on your state laws. Consult a lawyer.

WhydIJoinRedditAgain · 2025-11-29T23:36:56+00:00

You need to contact a lawyer in your county. Google will work, you can check their rating on any number of site, and get a consult to have them walk you through the steps.

Title	How to even start the process?
Author	g33kybatman
Upvotes	4
Comments	6
Date	November 29, 2025 11:24 PM UTC (8 months ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1pa2yr1/how_to_even_start_the_process/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/how-to-even-start-the-process.1567741 https://theredarchive.com/post/1567741

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