How Long Does a Divorce Take in Florida?

There is no single answer to how long a divorce takes in Florida. An uncontested divorce, where both spouses agree on the key terms, can move in a matter of weeks. A contested divorce, where the spouses disagree about property, support, or children, can take many months or longer. The single biggest factor is how much the spouses agree on before the case begins.

What Affects the Timeline

A few things tend to drive how long a Florida divorce takes:

• Agreement between the spouses. The more the spouses agree on, the faster the case tends to move.
• Children and support. Cases involving a parenting plan, time-sharing, and child support usually take longer because more issues must be resolved.
• The complexity of the finances. Dividing a business, real estate, or retirement accounts can add time.
• The court’s schedule. In Miami-Dade, family cases are generally handled through the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, and hearing availability can affect timing.

Do You Have to Wait to File?

Before filing for divorce in Florida, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months. (Source: Fla. Stat. § 61.021.)

Florida does not have a long mandatory waiting period after a case is filed, so an uncontested case can be finalized relatively quickly once the paperwork is complete.

Because Florida is a no-fault state, neither spouse has to prove the other did something wrong, which can also keep an agreed case moving. (Source: Fla. Stat. § 61.052.)

Uncontested vs. Contested

If you and your spouse agree on everything, an uncontested divorce is usually the fastest and least expensive path. If you cannot agree, a contested divorce involves exchanging information and, if needed, hearings where a judge decides the disputed issues.

Talk With a Miami Divorce Lawyer

Every case is different, and how long yours takes depends on your specific situation. To understand what to expect, speak with a Miami divorce lawyer about your circumstances. We serve families across Miami-Dade and South Florida from our office on Brickell Avenue.