Filing for Divorce in Charlotte County, Florida

File Charlotte County divorce cases at the Charlotte County Justice Center, 350 E. Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda. The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage petition is $408, the same for standard and simplified filings. The Clerk's own Self-Help Service offers online guidance for preparing dissolution forms, so you don't need an in-person visit.

Expect mediation to be entirely remote if your case is referred there. The Twentieth Judicial Circuit conducts all court mediations by video, phone, or other electronic means rather than in person. You can book a session once both spouses have filed their Financial Affidavits, using the circuit's JACS calendar, with confirmation emailed to Mediation-Charlotte@CA.CJIS20.org.

Simplified dissolution suits couples with no minor or dependent children together, property already divided, and no alimony request, as long as both agree to attend one joint final hearing. Families with minor children need both parents to finish a parenting course before a judge finalizes anything.

Charlotte's case management and family court structure trace to specific circuit administrative orders, including Order 1.16 on mediation and Orders 12.2 and 12.4, which established the circuit's Unified Family Court.

Where you file in Charlotte County, FL

Divorce cases in Charlotte County, FL are handled by the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Charlotte County. Because courthouse locations, hours, filing fees, and electronic filing options change over time and can differ between branches, use the Florida court clerk directory to confirm the current address and filing details for your case:

Find the Charlotte County, FL Clerk of Court (Florida court clerk directory)

The Florida divorce process, step by step

Florida calls divorce "dissolution of marriage," governed statewide by Florida Statutes chapter 61. At least one spouse generally must have lived in Florida for six months before filing (Fla. Stat. 61.021). The core steps are:

1. File a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the circuit court.
2. Serve your spouse, or, if you are filing together and agree on all terms, file jointly and skip service.
3. Exchange mandatory financial disclosure, including a Financial Affidavit (Florida Supreme Court approved family law form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c) depending on income).
4. Reach a Marital Settlement Agreement, or ask the court to decide contested issues.
5. Attend a mandatory parenting course if you have minor children and your circuit requires one, then submit your final paperwork for the judge to enter a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.

The clerk's filing fee to open a dissolution case is generally around $409, and an application for civil indigent status is available if you cannot afford it (Fla. Stat. 57.082). Florida does not use a fixed statewide waiting period from filing to final judgment the way some states do; timing depends on your circuit's calendar, whether the case is contested, and how quickly required steps like financial disclosure are completed. Couples who agree on every term, have no minor children, and meet certain conditions may qualify for Florida's simplified dissolution of marriage process, which is faster.

Local notes for Charlotte County, FL

Twentieth Circuit mediation is entirely remote, so don't expect an in-person session even for a contested Charlotte County divorce. Circuit policy sets the format; it isn't up to your request. Scheduling runs through the JACS online calendar. Once both parties agree on a slot, the Mediation Coordinator emails an Order Setting Mediation, and the session isn't confirmed until you receive that order.

To cancel or postpone a scheduled mediation, give the Mediation Coordinator at least 3 full business days notice by email, or you may be assessed fees. Include the case number, party names, and reason for the change.

Circuit administrative orders govern Charlotte's case management framework, including how family cases move through the Unified Family Court, rather than county-specific local rules. If the clerk can't answer a scheduling or procedure question, check the circuit's Administrative Orders page next.

Official divorce resources in Charlotte County, FL

Charlotte County Justice Center handles divorce filings, located at 350 E. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda 33950.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Charlotte's fee schedule lists $408 for both standard and simplified dissolution of marriage.

Clerk of Court Self-Help Service (https://selfhelp.charlotteclerk.com/form/formdissolution/) can help with procedure and paperwork. The Clerk's Self-Help Service offers online guidance for preparing dissolution of marriage forms. Mediation scheduling for family cases runs through the Twentieth Circuit's JACS calendar and a dedicated Mediation Coordinator. Admin. Order 1.16 (Court-Ordered Mediation in Circuit Civil, Family, Dependency & County Court Civil Cases) applies; see https://www.ca.cjis20.org/Documents/admin-orders.aspx. Admin. Order 12.2/12.4 (Establishment and Continuation of Unified Family Court) applies; see https://www.ca.cjis20.org/Documents/admin-orders.aspx.

• Charlotte Clerk Self-Help Service
• Twentieth Circuit - Charlotte County Mediation Instructions
• Twentieth Judicial Circuit - Administrative Orders
• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Charlotte County, FL Divorce FAQs