Filing for Divorce in Miami-Dade County: Where and How

If you are getting divorced in Miami, your case will generally be handled through the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, which covers Miami-Dade County. Petitions are typically filed through the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts. Knowing where and how to file is a useful first step, though the details of your case determine what happens next.

Where Miami-Dade Divorce Cases Are Heard

Family law matters in Miami-Dade, including divorce, time-sharing, and support, are generally handled through the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court. Filings are made through the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts.

Before You File

A few things generally need to be in place before filing:

• Residency. At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months. (Source: Fla. Stat. § 61.021.)
• The right paperwork. Florida is a no-fault state, so the petition generally states that the marriage is irretrievably broken. (Source: Fla. Stat. § 61.052.)
• Filing fees. The Clerk charges a filing fee, and fees can change. We do not list a fee amount here because it is set by the Clerk and is subject to change.

What Happens After Filing

After the petition is filed and served, the spouses exchange financial information and work toward either an agreement or a court decision. How long this takes depends on whether the case is contested and how complex the issues are.

Talk With a Miami Divorce Lawyer

If you are preparing to file in Miami-Dade, a Miami divorce lawyer can help you confirm the current requirements and prepare your case. We serve clients across Miami-Dade and South Florida from our Brickell Avenue office.