Filing for divorce in Florida with child online is possible. But it isn’t easy. It takes more than just filling out forms. When children are involved, everything gets more emotional. More complicated. Florida law puts children first. That means you can’t just walk away. You need to show the court how life will look for your child after the divorce. The court needs to see a plan. A parenting plan. A schedule. Who makes decisions. Where the child lives. Where they go to school. How holidays are split. It all has to be in writing. And the judge has to approve it.
The Online Process With Children Involved
Florida lets people file for divorce online through a site called the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. It works for most simple cases. But when children are part of the picture, the court treats the case as more than just paperwork. You need to file the right forms. One is the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Children. You’ll also need to file a financial affidavit. That shows your income and expenses. You need to file a parenting plan. You need to fill out a notice of social security number. There’s also a child support guidelines worksheet. All of this can be done online. But that doesn’t mean it’s fast. Or that it’s simple.
Why a Parenting Plan Matters
The parenting plan is one of the most important parts of the divorce. It tells the court how you and the other parent will care for your child. Florida courts want both parents involved. Even after the divorce. The plan must include time-sharing. That’s how much time each parent gets with the child. It must cover how big decisions are made. School. Health. Religion. It also needs a way to resolve disagreements. Think of it like building a road map. If you don’t build it well, you’ll get lost. And your child pays the price.
When Online Divorce May Not Work
Filing online might work if both parents agree on everything. If there’s no fighting over time-sharing. No argument about child support. But that’s rare. Most people need help sorting out the details. And when those details involve kids, the stakes are too high to guess. Even a small mistake in your paperwork can slow things down. Or worse, hurt your chances in court. Judges look for complete, honest, and fair plans. They want to know that the child will be safe and cared for.
A Lesson From History
Think of the early settlers. When they packed up their lives and moved west, they brought everything they could carry. But they still had to build from the ground up. Marriage is the same. And when it breaks, especially with kids, you have to rebuild carefully. One wrong move and the foundation cracks. That’s why every form, every answer, every signature matters.
Talk to a Tampa Family Law Attorney Today
Filing for divorce in Florida with child online may look easy on the surface. But it’s filled with decisions that shape a child’s life. That’s why it helps to have someone who knows the system. A guide. A voice. A Tampa Family Law Attorney can review your forms. Help you build a parenting plan that works. Explain what the court wants to see. And make sure your child’s future is protected.
Call Buchholz Family Law at (813) 902-9100 or visit Buchholz Family Law. When it comes to your child’s future, don’t take chances.