Filing for Divorce in Lake County, Florida

Lake County hears family cases at the Lake County Judicial Center, 550 West Main Street in Tavares, the county seat. Clermont and Leesburg are bigger cities in the county, but that doesn't change where you file. If you're filing a dissolution of marriage petition, you'll need to go to Tavares no matter where in Lake County you live.

A Lake County divorce falls under Chapter 61, Florida's dissolution of marriage law. One spouse must have lived in Florida for the six months before filing, and the petition must state the marriage is irretrievably broken. Couples with no minor or dependent children, no pregnancy, and agreement on splitting property and debts can file a simplified dissolution instead. Both spouses sign Florida Supreme Court Form 12.901(a) together, before a deputy clerk.

The filing fee for a standard dissolution in Lake County is $397.50, a bit less than the $408 most Fifth Circuit counties charge. Attorneys must e-file through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, but self-represented parties can still file on paper at the Judicial Center. Filers who cannot pay can apply for a fee waiver under Florida Statute 57.082.

Lake County's Family Court Self-Help Office differs from some Fifth Circuit neighbors here too: it posts a standing walk-in schedule instead of requiring an appointment for every visit.

Where you file in Lake County, FL

Divorce cases in Lake County, FL are handled by the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake County, FL

The Lake County Self-Help Office is on the 5th Floor, East Wing of the Judicial Center. It takes walk-ins Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., and you don't need an appointment during those hours. That beats the appointment-only setups in Citrus and Hernando counties, also in this circuit.

Staff hand out procedural information and form checklists for dissolution, paternity, adoption, name-change, and modification cases, but they cannot give legal advice. Filers who submitted after October 1, 2022 must also turn in a Designation of Current Mailing and E-mail Address form, so the court and the other party know where to send notices.

Parents with minor children still need a completed, state-approved parenting course certificate from the Department of Children and Families' statewide list before a judge signs the final judgment.

Official divorce resources in Lake County, FL

Lake County Judicial Center handles divorce filings, located at 550 West Main Street, Tavares 32778.

The filing fee is $397.50. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Mandatory for attorneys, but self-represented parties may still file on paper at the Judicial Center.

Fifth Circuit Family Court Self-Help Office (Lake) (https://www.circuit5.org/self-help-center/lake-county-self-help-center/) can help with procedure and paperwork. 5th Floor East Wing of the Lake County Judicial Center; walk-in Monday to Friday 8:30am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:30pm.

• Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Fifth Circuit Family Court Self-Help Office, Lake County
• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• DCF Parenting Course Providers

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

Lake County, FL Divorce FAQs