Orlando, FL / Storyteller / Jan 20, 2026 /
If you’re facing the prospect of filing for divorce in Orlando, the temptation to “go it alone” is high. With court-provided forms available online and a DIY spirit, you may believe you are saving time and money by just handling those forms and appointments on your own. However, a deep dive into the 2024–2025 judicial workload data for the Ninth Judicial Circuit (Orange County) reveals the reality: the 9th Circuit Efficiency Gap.
Our team at Sean Smallwood, Orlando Divorce & Family Law P.A., analyzed the intersection of pro se (also called “self-represented”) divorce filing trends and court clearance rates. When a case is finalized in the courts, it’s called a “cleared” case. After looking at the data, it was really apparent that taking the DIY route doesn’t just risk assets; it could significantly stall your ability to move on after a particularly stressful season.
The 2.4x “Stall Factor” in Self-Represented Orlando Area Divorce Proceedings
Our review of the most recent Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA) data shows that self-represented divorce cases in Orlando are 2.4 times (240%) more likely to remain stalled in the system past the 180-day mark than cases with professional legal representation1.
The Breakdown: Our 9th Circuit Efficiency Gap Analysis
To understand what is slowing cases down in the 9th Circuit, we looked at how Orange County handles “Domestic Relations” cases. We started by looking at the Clearance Rate, which is just the ratio of closed cases to new filings, to see if the court is keeping its head above water.
The real insight, however, came from looking at self-representation. Since roughly 73% of these cases involve at least one person acting without a lawyer, we compared how long they take to finish with those cases handled by attorneys.
The result? Cases without an attorney are 2.4 times more likely to stall than those with professional representation. That gap is exactly where the system is bottlenecking.
Why Orlando Cases Get Stuck
The Ninth Judicial Circuit is one of the busiest in Florida. Because the court must hold pro se litigants to the same “Rules of Civil Procedure” as licensed attorneys, simple mistakes lead to a “Procedural Dead-End.”
Common “Stall Factors” in Orange County include:
- Financial Affidavit Non-Compliance: Errors in mandatory disclosures that prevent a judge from signing a Final Judgment.
- Mediation Delays: Failure to properly move for mediation under Administrative Order 2004-14-024, which can add an average of 4.5 months of “dead time” to a case.
- Form Fatigue: Cases dismissed for “Lack of Prosecution” (DLOP) because the petitioner didn’t know which document to file next4.
How Professional Counsel Bridges the Gap
Hiring an attorney like Sean Smallwood is not an added expense; it is a strategic investment in finality. A lawyer speeds up the process by ensuring “Day One Accuracy”—meaning every financial affidavit, parenting plan, and jurisdictional proof is filed correctly, preventing the court from rejecting your petition2.
Beyond paperwork, a divorce attorney in Orlando can help manage the rigid deadlines of the 9th Circuit, such as the 20-day response window and the 45-day financial disclosure rule. By navigating the mediation requirements of Administrative Order 2004-14-02 proactively3, an attorney can cut months of “dead time” from the calendar. Ultimately, a faster conclusion saves you money by ending the drain on marital assets and allowing you to move forward into your new financial life sooner.
A divorce isn’t just a set of forms; it’s a procedural hurdle race. In Orlando, the hurdle is higher for those without a guide. If you want to avoid the “Efficiency Gap” and move forward with your life, professional representation isn’t just an option—it’s a time-saving necessity.
For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
- Name: Sean Smallwood
Role: Managing Attorney
Company Name: Sean Smallwood, Orlando Divorce Lawyer & Family Law Attorney P.A.
Phone: 407-574-6155
Email: carly@seansmallwoodlaw.com
Address: 390 N Orange Ave Suite 2300-M, Orlando, FL 32801
Resources
- Florida Trial Court Statistics: Trial Court Statistical Reference Guide (FY 2024-25) https://trialstats.flcourts.org/
- 9th Judicial Circuit Administrative Order: AO 2004-14-02: Mandatory Referral to Mediation https://ninthcircuit.org/sites/default/files/2004-14-02%20-%20Amended%20Order%20Governing%20Fa mily%20Mediation.pdf
- Orange County Clerk of Courts: Family Services & Caseload Data https://www.myorangeclerk.com/divisions/family
- Florida CCOC Annual Report: 2024-2025 Performance & Timeliness Audit https://flccoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2023-24-CCOC-Annual-Report.pdf
