Is a personal appearance in the final hearing required?

[sneaker66]

Hello,
my girlfriend married a citizen of Florida in Miami 7 years ago. Since 4 years they are and live separated - my girlfriend lives in another country in Europe. Now they both want to be divorced. It is their common decision and they are still related in friendship. There are no children and my girlfriend doesn't want any money, property or whatelse from her husband, so I guess it will be in official terms a simple uncontested dissolution of marriage. My question: Will my girlfriend need to travel to Miami for the divorce? She would really prefer not to. If so, how long might the whole procedure take for her? If she doesn't need to appear personally, which steps are then needed? Must she send a written explanation accredited by a notary public? Will she need a lawyer? Thank you very much in advance for your answer!!

[Attorney Howard Iken]

If the correct documents are filed, only the petition needs to appear in court.

Attorney Howard Iken

[sneaker66]

Dear Mr. Iken,

thank you very much for your reply! Could you be so kind to tell me the further steps my girlfriend needs to do? I found in internet "INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE FORM 12.901(a), PETITION FOR SIMPLIFIED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE". Is it okay if she will fill out that petition and sign it at a notary public in her country and then send it to her husband to Miami? In this document there is the signature of a notary public or deputy clerk needed that husband and wife signed this document together before him. But if I understand you right this is not absolutely necessary and my girlfriend can manage every step of the dissolution while staying in her home country? I would appreciate very much if you could answer me this as well.

With kindly regards

Sneaker66

[Attorney Howard Iken]

Sorry but we cannot give a step by step in this forum. It is only for short questions and answers.