If you live in Florida and are considering ending your marriage, you should understand the terms and the process. Being knowledgeable about the way divorce works in the state can help you plan and prepare for what to expect.
Divorce terms
In Florida, divorce is also called a dissolution of marriage. When you decide to proceed with this, you will need to file with the court. Since Florida is a no-fault state, when you file for a dissolution of marriage, you do not need to provide any other reason except that the marriage is irretrievably broken to begin the process.
How the process works
The process for divorce in Florida is very straightforward. The steps include:
- One spouse filing for the dissolution of marriage, including what the petitioner wants from the process
- The other spouse providing an answer within a set time, responding to the requests in the petition for dissolution of marriage
- The spouses working out the issues related to the divorce, including those involving division of property, which is done equitably, child custody and support and spousal support
- Finalizing the divorce, which can take as little as a few weeks if the spouses agree
- If the spouses do not agree on the issues, going to trial is a possibility
A quick path to divorce
In Florida, certain couples can opt for a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage. This process is available to spouses that meet certain conditions including, having no minor children, the wife not being pregnant, both spouses agreeing to the quicker process and having reached an agreement on the divorce issues.
Whether the spouses amicably work towards a settlement or go to trial to resolve their issues, in Florida, at least one of the spouses must be a resident of the state for six months or more before the filing for divorce occurs. If not, they can legally separate until they meet the residency requirement.