My best advice to you is to consult with an experienced family law attorney in your area to discuss procedures. In Arizona the is a self service center in most, if not all, superior court facilities. These self service centers provide forms and instructions to assist individuals in filing there own dissolution documents. Here is a link to the Maricopa County self service center page for family court forms online: http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/Self-ServiceCenter/Forms/FamilyCourt/
Your best bet is to consult with a local attorney. The procedures are somewhat different in different states. Even if you don't hire the attorney to represent you, a small fee to know what you are doing will be worth it.
If you are in Florida, there is no legal separation and no period of time where you have to be separated prior to filing for divorce. You should consult with an attorney regarding your potential rights and options if you are uncertain as to how to proceed.
Go to your local courthouse and get a dissolution of marriage packet. Your county may have a self help department too. Lots of courts have lost that help due to budget cuts but some courts still have it. Start at your court house.
Filing for a divorce is filing a lawsuit in the local circuit (county) court. Having your soon to be ex served (you cannot serve it some other adult has to do it). If you have minor children you will be awarded child support automatically depending upon your incomes. It will be much easier if you hire an attorney.
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