Starting divorce paperwork can feel easier when the basic information is already organized. Before document preparation begins, many people benefit from gathering names, addresses, dates, financial details, and case-related documents in one place.

This checklist is for general organization only. It does not tell you which legal option to choose, which form to use, or what you should request from the court.

Basic personal information

Most family law paperwork asks for identifying and contact information. Before starting, it can help to organize:

• Full legal names for both spouses
• Current mailing addresses and phone numbers
• Email addresses used for court or document communication
• Dates of birth
• Date and place of marriage
• Date of separation, if applicable
• Prior names used in legal or financial records, if relevant

Use the exact information shown on legal, court, or financial records whenever possible. Small spelling or date differences can create avoidable confusion later.

Children and parenting-related details

If minor or dependent children are involved, family law paperwork may ask for additional information. Depending on the documents being prepared, customers may need to provide details such as:

• Each child’s full legal name and date of birth
• Current address information
• Recent address history, when requested by a form
• School or childcare information, if requested
• Existing parenting, child support, or time-sharing orders
• Health insurance or childcare cost information

Questions about parenting rights, time-sharing arrangements, child support positions, or what to request from the court should be directed to a qualified attorney or an appropriate court self-help resource.

Income, expenses, assets, and debts

Florida family law paperwork often involves financial information. Organizing records ahead of time can make document preparation more efficient and reduce back-and-forth requests for missing details.

Useful records may include recent pay stubs, income statements, tax returns, bank account information, mortgage or rent details, vehicle information, credit card balances, loans, retirement accounts, insurance costs, recurring bills, and other financial documents.

The Florida Courts family law forms page includes official forms and instructions, including financial-affidavit materials. Review the current official form instructions carefully, because requirements can change.

Existing court orders and case documents

If there is already a related case or prior court order, gather copies before starting. This may include a prior divorce, paternity, child support, injunction, modification, or enforcement case.

Helpful items can include case numbers, county and circuit information, final judgments, parenting plans, child support orders, notices, pending filings, and correspondence from the Clerk or court. If you are unsure what an existing order means or how it affects your situation, that is a legal question.

Filing and local court information

Document preparation may also require administrative filing details, such as the county where paperwork will be filed, the Clerk’s accepted filing method, current fee information, and whether the customer plans to use paper filing or the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Official court resources are the best place to confirm current procedures. The Florida Courts self-help information page points self-represented filers toward approved family law resources, and your county Clerk’s website may list local filing procedures.

Questions to separate before document preparation

It is useful to separate factual information from legal questions. A document preparer can work with customer-provided facts and instructions, but cannot choose a legal strategy or tell a customer what legal position to take.

Examples of legal questions include:

• Which divorce process should I use?
• What should I ask the court to order?
• Should I agree to a proposed settlement?
• What rights am I giving up?
• How will a judge rule on my facts?

Those questions should be taken to a licensed attorney or an appropriate court self-help resource before paperwork is prepared.

How Coastal Doc Prep can help

Coastal Doc Prep provides document preparation and administrative support based on information and decisions supplied by the customer. We can help organize the preparation process and enter customer-provided information into documents, but we do not choose forms, give legal advice, recommend legal strategy, or represent customers in court.

Learn more about our document preparation services, review our frequently asked questions, or start a document preparation inquiry.

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Important: Coastal Doc Prep is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and does not represent clients in court. Services are limited to document preparation and administrative support based on customer-provided information.