No Florida resident easily comes to the conclusion that they want a divorce. It’s a decision that usually comes after a long period of time when problems persist in the relationship. If you let your spouse know you want to end things and they say they don’t want a divorce, you might feel stuck.
Be honest
Withholding information from your spouse can only make things worse, Honestly explain to them that you want a divorce and why you feel that way. Be prepared for any kind of reaction; they might feel blindsided by your revelations. However, stay level-headed and don’t fight. Your spouse has a right to feel however they feel.
Make sure you really want to end things
If you haven’t completely thought things through and blurted out that you want a divorce, it can damage your relationship. Saying things in the heat of the moment when you don’t mean them still hurts. However, if you’re sure you want to get divorced, stick with your decision.
Determine whether there are other options
Not all troubled marriages have to end in divorce. You might be unhappy, but if your spouse thinks everything’s fine, there may be a chance to fix things. Consider going to marriage counseling to see if that helps. If it doesn’t change anything, you can then bring up the subject of divorce again. At least you can take solace in having tried to repair the marriage.
You can file a divorce petition
Florida is a no-fault state, which means you don’t need a specific reason for divorce other than irreconcilable differences. If your spouse doesn’t want to end the marriage and you do, you’re free to file a petition for divorce with the family court in your county. This might be necessary if your spouse refuses to budge and things become contentious.
If your spouse takes your desire for a divorce very hard, considering options like mediation might be easier. It can help you avoid the ugliness and long length of traditional court divorce.