Are you thinking about getting a divorce in Florida without a dispute but unsure of how long divorces take in Florida? The good news is that compared to a contested divorce, an uncontested divorce may be quicker and less expensive. The amount of time it takes will, however, vary depending on a number of variables, including the court’s schedule and the difficulty of your case.
Now let’s get into the details and learn how long a typical uncontested divorce in Florida takes.
How Long Does Divorce Take In Florida?
The complexity of the issues involved, whether the divorce is opposed or unopposed and the queues of cases in the court system are some of the variables that might affect how long does a divorce take in fl. Yet, the average divorce timeline Florida procedure is three to six months.
Here is a more thorough explanation of the Florida divorce procedure:
Filing for a divorce
Filing a petition for the dissolution of marriage with the district court in the county where either spouse resides is the first step in obtaining a divorce in Florida. The other spouse must be served with the petition, and they have 20 days to reply.
Discovery Process
The parties may engage in a discovery procedure, which entails exchanging information and paperwork about property, finances, and other matters, if the divorce is disputed.
Mediation and negotiating
If mediation is requested, the parties will work with a neutral third party to try to resolve their differences if they are unable to do so on their own. In many Florida counties, mediation must take place before the case may go to trial.
Trial
The matter may go to trial if the parties are unable to settle their dispute through mediation. While deciding on matters like property distribution, income, child support, and custody, a judge will consider the arguments and facts presented by both parties.
Final Decision
The divorce is regarded as final whenever a judge has given a final judgment in the matter. The parties must then adhere to the judgment’s requirements, which may include making support payments, giving up property, or fulfilling other commitments.
How Long Does Uncontested Divorce Take in Florida?
Compared to a contested divorce, an uncontested divorce in Florida can be concluded fairly soon. However, the precise timetable will depend on a number of variables, including the particular county where the divorce is filed, if any unresolved issues exist, and the volume of court activity at the time of filing.
The process usually starts with one spouse submitting a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the court, assuming there are no unresolved concerns. This document provides the grounds for divorce as well as any additional relevant details, such as the division of property and the child custody arrangements.
The petition must then be served on the other spouse and given to them with a chance to reply. The other spouse may submit a written answer confirming their consent to the terms of the divorce if they agree. This is referred to as an Answer and Waiver of Service.
The couple can collaborate to finalise the terms of the divorce settlement after the response is submitted. This usually includes bargaining over how to divide assets and debts, deciding on child custody and support plans, and establishing payments. If both parties can agree on everything on this list, the couple can submit a Settlement Agreement to the court.
Assuming the court approves the deal, the divorce can be finalised quite quickly. In some situations, the court may order a hearing to establish that both parties understand the terms of the agreement and are entering into it voluntarily. A hearing might not be required if the settlement is simple and all parties are on board.
Ultimately, depending on the intricacy of the case and the court’s scheduling, an uncontested divorce in Florida might take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Couples may usually cut down on the time and money needed for the procedure by cooperating and being proactive about resolving any unresolved concerns.
Related Article: Disadvantages of Filing For Divorce First
FAQ’s
How fast can you get divorced in Florida?
The divorce can only be finalized in Florida 20 days after the divorce petition is filed. However, depending on circumstances such as the complexity of the case and the level of disagreement between the parties, the time it takes to conclude a divorce might vary.
How long do you have to be separated in Florida to get a divorce?
In Florida, a separating period is not necessary. To prove that the marriage is irrecoverably damaged or that one of the parties has been mentally incapacitated for at least three years, the petitioner must present evidence in support of their claim.
What is wife entitled to in divorce in Florida?
In Florida, the woman has a right to an equitable division of the couple’s assets and debts. This means that the spouses will split any assets they gain throughout the marriage fairly, though perhaps not equally.
Hi, I’m Brian Gary; I have my Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree from SMU Dedman School of Law in Dallas. Over the years, I have dealt with many families and successful corporate Legal cases. I have counseled many people on legal matters, and along with my profession, I write about Law on my blog. Please feel free to contact me for counseling/case discussion; I’ll be happy to help you.