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Can Divorce Records Be Sealed in Florida? What Law Enforcement Officers, Police Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies, Should Know Before Filing
|Divorce is a deeply personal matter, yet it is also a public proceeding in Florida. Once a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed, the petition and all the other pleadings that go along with it become part of the public record. That means anyone, including reporters, coworkers, or other members of the public, can access documents that may include sensitive details such as home addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, names and dates of birth of the parties and their children, the names and addresses of each party’s employer, and the location of the parties’ children’s schools and daycares.
For law enforcement officers, like sheriff deputies and police officers, this raises serious concerns about privacy, their safety, and the safety of their family. Protecting personal information is not only about maintaining dignity, but also about upholding security and professionalism in a career where discretion is crucial. Fortunately, there are ways to manage how much of your private life becomes public when you divorce.
Florida’s Rules on Public Divorce Records
Under Florida law, most court filings, including divorce records, are considered public documents. The Florida Constitution and state statutes support open government, making it difficult to seal entire case files. However, there are exceptions. Judges may agree to seal or redact specific parts of the record when a compelling reason exists, such as protecting a child’s identity, shielding victims of domestic violence, or preserving trade secrets and highly sensitive information.
For law enforcement officers, these rules mean that while you cannot automatically seal your entire divorce record, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes does provide a basis for sealing your court filings. The proper paperwork needs to be prepared, filed and transmitted to the judge at the time of filing. If the proper paperwork is filed, a court must issue an order to seal your court records, making them confidential and unavailable to the general public. Once sealed, all your private information, your ex-spouse’s private information, and most importantly your children’s private information is shielded from public view. However, if you and your spouse cannot come to terms and you have a hearing on a motion or take your case to trial, the courtroom is a public forum. Anyone may attend your hearing/trial. The most effective way to maintain privacy is to avoid the courtroom altogether.
Mediation: The Best Path to Privacy and Control
Mediation allows couples to resolve their divorce privately, outside the courtroom. In a mediated divorce, both parties meet with a neutral mediator who helps them reach agreements on property division, parenting plans, alimony, and other vital issues. The process is confidential, and discussions that occur during mediation cannot be used in court later.
This means that for law enforcement officers and other specified public servants, mediation offers the best possible way to keep sensitive personal and financial matters out of public view. Mediation also offers additional benefits, including saving time, lowering costs, and reducing conflict, significant advantages for professionals who live and work under constant stress.
Working with an Experienced Florida Divorce Mediator
Attorney and Florida Supreme Court-certified divorce mediator Beth Reineke has over 30 years of experience helping clients throughout Florida resolve divorce and family law matters privately, respectfully, and efficiently. As a former Board-certified divorce and family law litigator, she understands the importance of both legal accuracy and discretion. She works closely with law enforcement professionals and other clients whose personal and professional lives require confidentiality and careful handling of sensitive information.
Protect Your Privacy and Your Peace of Mind
If you are a law enforcement officer considering divorce in Florida, you do not have to sacrifice your privacy to end your marriage. Mediation offers a confidential, secure, and cost-effective alternative that allows you to move forward without the scrutiny that comes with a courtroom case.
Call 813-205-6675 or contact Reineke Mediations online today to discuss your case during a free telephone consultation and learn how mediation can help you protect your personal and professional future while resolving your divorce with dignity.
