Filing for divorce without a lawyer, sometimes called a pro se divorce, means you prepare and file your own court paperwork instead of hiring an attorney to do it for you. Every state allows it. You use the same official court forms an attorney would use, and the same court process applies either way. This guide covers what filing pro se actually involves, how legal separation differs, and what changes once you look at California or Florida specifically.
Key Takeaway: No state requires you to hire an attorney to get divorced or legally separated. "Pro se" simply means representing yourself. You still use your state's official court forms, still have to formally notify your spouse, and still need a judge to sign off before the case is final. Property still gets divided and support still gets decided, whether or not either spouse has a lawyer.
What Does It Mean to File for Divorce Without a Lawyer?
Filing pro se divorce means you represent yourself in your own case rather than having an attorney file and argue it for you. You fill out the same petition, summons, and financial disclosure forms an attorney would file, and your case goes through the same court, following the same rules, as every other divorce in your state. Pro se is a formal legal term for self-representation; it does not describe a separate, simplified type of divorce, though many self-represented cases are also uncontested, which does make the paperwork more manageable. Our roundup of cheap divorce options covers the cost side of filing on your own in more detail.
Can You File for Separation Without a Lawyer?
Yes. Whether you search it as can I file for separation without a lawyer, can you file for separation without a lawyer, or how to file for separation without a lawyer, the answer is the same as for divorce: no state requires an attorney for a legal separation case. Legal separation uses similar or identical forms to divorce in most states, and the main practical difference is that a legal separation keeps the marriage legally intact while resolving property, support, and custody, rather than ending the marriage entirely. If you are not sure which case type fits your situation, your state court's self-help center can explain the difference, though staff there cannot tell you which one to choose.
How Property Gets Divided When You File Without an Attorney
When divorce, how property is divided is one of the core issues every case has to resolve, whether or not either spouse hires a lawyer. Both spouses disclose their assets and debts on financial disclosure forms, then either agree on a division in writing or ask the court to decide at a hearing. Filing without an attorney does not change the underlying property rules in your state; it changes who fills out the forms and negotiates the terms. A self-represented spouse is held to the same disclosure requirements and deadlines as a spouse who hired an attorney, so accuracy on these forms matters regardless of who is filing.
Filing for Divorce Without a Lawyer in California
California's self-help centers, run by the courts themselves, exist specifically to support self-represented litigants through the 4-part divorce process: starting the case, sharing financial information, making decisions about property and support, and finalizing the judgment. You file Form FL-100 (Petition) and Form FL-110 (Summons) to start the case, and your spouse responds using Form FL-120 if they contest any term. If you cannot afford the filing fee, Form FW-001 requests a fee waiver based on income or certain public benefits.
Our dedicated guide, divorce without a lawyer in California, walks through the full self-represented process step by step.
Filing for Divorce Without a Lawyer in Florida
Florida's court system publishes a formal notice about representing yourself, confirming that self-represented litigants can file and pursue a family law case without an attorney, along with a dedicated self-help hub for people handling their own filing. Couples who agree on every term, have no minor children, and have already divided their property can file together using the Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, built specifically for a self-represented, uncontested case. A final judgment cannot be entered until at least 20 days after the petition is filed.
Our Florida uncontested divorce checklist covers the full form list for a self-represented Florida case.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Any Other State
Every state permits self-representation in family court, and most state court systems publish some version of a self-help center with free forms and instructions, though staff there answer procedural questions rather than give legal advice or fill out forms for you. What always varies is the exact forms, filing fees, and any simplified process available for a straightforward, uncontested case. Confirm your specific state's rules and forms with its court self-help website before filing. Our divorce by state directory is a starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pro se mean in a divorce case?
Pro se is the legal term for representing yourself in court instead of hiring an attorney. A pro se divorce uses the same official forms, follows the same rules, and goes through the same court process as any other divorce in your state. It is not a separate, simplified case type, though pro se cases are often also uncontested.
Can I get a divorce without a solicitor?
Solicitor is the term used in the United Kingdom for a lawyer, not a term used in United States family courts. If you are asking can I get a divorce without a solicitor, how to get a divorce without a solicitor, can you divorce without a solicitor, or applying for a divorce without a solicitor and you live in a US state, the answer is that no state requires you to hire an attorney at all. You can file on your own using your state's official court forms.
Can I file for legal separation without a lawyer?
Yes. Whether you search it as can I file for separation without a lawyer or how to file for separation without a lawyer, no state requires an attorney for a legal separation case any more than it does for a divorce. Legal separation generally uses similar or identical forms to divorce, and the main difference is that the marriage stays legally intact while property, support, and custody get resolved.
Does filing without an attorney change how property gets divided?
No. The property rules in your state apply the same way whether or not either spouse has a lawyer. Both spouses still disclose assets and debts on financial forms, then either agree on a division in writing or ask the court to decide. Filing without an attorney changes who fills out the paperwork and negotiates the terms, not the underlying rules a judge applies.
Where can I get help filing for divorce if I do not have a lawyer?
Your state court's self-help center offers free guidance on which forms you need and how the process works, though staff there cannot give legal advice or fill out forms for you. Document-preparation software like Virdix fills in the official state forms from your answers and checks that your information is consistent across every form. Nonprofit legal aid organizations offer free or income-based help for qualifying households in many areas.
When does self-representation typically get more complicated?
A straightforward, uncontested case, where both spouses agree on property, support, and custody, is generally the most manageable to file without an attorney. A case involving significant disputed assets, a business, a contested custody fight, or any safety concerns tends to raise more complex legal questions, which is the kind of situation many self-represented people choose to get a consultation for, even if they handle the rest of the filing themselves.
How Virdix Helps
Virdix asks plain-language questions about your marriage, finances, and family, then fills in the official California or Florida court forms from your answers, so a self-represented filing stays complete and consistent across every document in your case. Pricing is $79 through October 31, 2026.
Virdix does not replace an attorney for a contested case, a dispute over custody or support, or any situation involving your safety.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed family law attorney in your state.
Sources: California Courts Self-Help Center (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov), Florida Courts Help self-represented litigant resources (flcourts.gov), Florida Statutes Section 61.19 (flsenate.gov), Florida Family Law Form 12.901(a) (flcourts-media.flcourts.gov)