Simplified Dissolution Tampa FL: $750 Fast Divorce (2026)

A simplified dissolution in Tampa costs a $750 flat attorney fee at the Law Office of Antonio G. Jimenez, plus a Hillsborough County filing fee of about $408 (set by the clerk, separate from our fee) and notary costs. Under F.S. 61.052(2), it requires no minor children, no alimony request, and both spouses at a brief final hearing.

What Is a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage in Florida?

A simplified dissolution of marriage is a streamlined divorce process authorized by Florida Statute 61.052(2). It uses a single joint petition, Florida Family Law Form 12.901(a) (Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage), and allows qualifying couples to finalize their divorce faster than the regular route.

The process exists for spouses who agree on everything and meet strict eligibility rules. Because both spouses file together and sign the same paperwork, there is no contested phase, no service of process on an unwilling spouse, and no litigation. In the 13th Judicial Circuit, which covers Hillsborough County and Tampa, uncontested and simplified cases are among the fastest family law matters the court handles.

Simplified dissolution is not automatically the right choice. It waives valuable rights, including the right to a trial and to financial disclosure from your spouse. For many Tampa couples, a regular uncontested dissolution with a written Marital Settlement Agreement protects them better, even though it uses a different form. Our firm reviews your situation before recommending either path.

Who Qualifies for a Simplified Dissolution in Tampa?

Under F.S. 61.052(2), you qualify for a simplified dissolution only if all of the following are true:

• You have no minor or dependent children together, and the wife is not pregnant.
• Neither spouse is seeking alimony (spousal support).
• Both spouses agree on how to divide all property and debts.
• At least one spouse has lived in Florida for the 6 months immediately before filing, as required by F.S. 61.021.
• Both spouses agree the marriage is irretrievably broken.
• Both spouses are willing to sign the petition and appear together at the final hearing.

If even one of these is not met, you cannot use simplified dissolution. The most common disqualifiers in Tampa are minor children and an alimony claim. If you have children or want alimony addressed, you need a regular uncontested dissolution instead. See our Uncontested Divorce Checklist Florida for the documents both paths share.

Florida is a no-fault state. Under F.S. 61.052, the only ground for any divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You never prove adultery, abandonment, or cruelty, and you do not need to explain why the marriage ended.

How Much Does a Simplified Dissolution Cost in Tampa?

Our firm handles an uncontested Florida divorce, including a qualifying simplified dissolution, for a $750 flat attorney fee. This is the same price in all 67 Florida counties, with no hourly billing and no surprise charges. Two costs are separate and paid by you: the Hillsborough County court filing fee (about $408) and notary fees (typically around $50 per signing session).

Here is how the total breaks down for a Tampa simplified dissolution:

Court filing fees are set by each county clerk and are separate from our flat attorney fee. As of July 2026, verify the current amount with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may file an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status to request a waiver. For a fuller cost breakdown, see Uncontested Divorce Cost Tampa FL.

Older online sources may list a lower or higher attorney price. Our current flat fee is $750, and it covers preparing and reviewing your documents so your simplified dissolution paperwork is complete before it reaches the clerk.

Simplified Dissolution vs. Regular Uncontested Dissolution

Both are uncontested, but they use different forms and protect you differently. The table below shows the practical differences.

The trade-off is straightforward. Simplified dissolution is fast because it waives the right to financial disclosure and to a trial. If you are confident you know your spouse's full financial picture and you have no children or alimony issues, that waiver may be acceptable. If there is any uncertainty, the regular uncontested path preserves more protection. Our attorney reviews your assets and debts before recommending which path fits.

What Forms Does a Tampa Simplified Dissolution Require?

Florida uses standardized family law forms available at flcourts.gov. A simplified dissolution in Tampa generally requires:

• Form 12.901(a): Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, signed by both spouses.
• Form 12.902(f)(3): Marital Settlement Agreement for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, dividing all property and debts.
• Proof of residency: a Florida driver's license, voter registration, or a corroborating witness under F.S. 61.021.
• The final judgment form the court enters at the hearing.

Because simplified dissolution waives financial disclosure, the short-form and long-form Family Law Financial Affidavits (Forms 12.902(b) and 12.902(c)) are generally not filed. In a regular uncontested case, spouses who want to skip filing affidavits use Form 12.902(k), the Notice of Joint Verified Waiver of Filing Financial Affidavits, authorized under Florida Family Law Rule 12.285.

The Marital Settlement Agreement is the centerpiece document. It must clearly divide marital property and debts. In a simplified case it does not address alimony or child support because those disqualify you from the simplified path. A non-lawyer typing service can fill in blanks on these forms but cannot give legal advice or catch a substantive error. Our firm prepares and reviews the documents as a licensed Florida attorney so the agreement is complete before filing.

Where Do You File a Simplified Dissolution in Tampa?

Tampa divorces are filed in the Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, in and for Hillsborough County. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court accepts family law filings at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602.

You can file in person at any clerk location or electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Most attorneys, including our firm, e-file so your case is docketed the same business day. The Hillsborough Clerk and the 13th Circuit also publish family law self-help resources for self-represented filers.

For a simplified dissolution, the 13th Circuit requires both spouses to appear at a brief final hearing. The hearing is short, often only a few minutes, and the judge confirms both spouses signed voluntarily, the residency requirement is met, and the marriage is irretrievably broken before entering the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. To learn more about the local court, read our Tampa Divorce Court guide.

How Long Does a Simplified Dissolution Take in Tampa?

Florida has no mandatory statutory waiting period after filing a dissolution. In practice, the timeline depends on how quickly the clerk dockets your case and how soon the 13th Circuit can schedule your final hearing. The court, not the parties, controls scheduling.

A typical simplified dissolution moves faster than a contested case because there is no service of process on an unwilling spouse, no 20-day answer period, no discovery, and no mediation. Once both spouses sign the petition and the settlement agreement and the paperwork is filed correctly, the case waits only for a hearing date. Many uncontested Tampa cases finalize within a few weeks of filing, though actual timing varies by the court's calendar. We cannot promise a specific date, but a correctly prepared, complete filing avoids the clerk rejections and rescheduling that delay do-it-yourself filers.

When Is Simplified Dissolution the Wrong Choice?

Simplified dissolution is a poor fit when your situation is more complex than the form allows. Choose the regular uncontested path or consult an attorney if:

• You have minor or dependent children, which requires a parenting plan under F.S. 61.13 and child support.
• Either spouse wants alimony. Under F.S. 61.08, forms include bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational; permanent alimony was eliminated by SB 1416 effective July 1, 2023.
• You have retirement accounts, a business, or real estate requiring careful division under equitable distribution, F.S. 61.075. See our guide on dividing retirement accounts in a Florida divorce.
• One spouse cannot attend the final hearing in person.
• You are unsure your spouse has disclosed all assets and debts, since simplified dissolution waives disclosure.

Florida law does not forbid representing yourself. But a licensed Florida attorney reviewing your paperwork at a flat $750 fee gives you the value of full legal review without the cost of an hourly retainer. If your case turns out to be contested, the flat fee does not apply, and we will tell you that up front.

FAQs About Simplified Dissolution in Tampa

See the frequently asked questions below for specifics on cost, forms, timing, and eligibility.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about Florida divorce law and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. The Law Office of Antonio G. Jimenez can prepare your uncontested divorce for a $750 flat attorney fee (court costs and notary separate); contact our office to confirm whether your case qualifies as uncontested.