The question comes up at the start of nearly every family law consultation: how long will this take? In Florida, the answer depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, whether minor children are involved, how quickly both parties comply with court requirements, and how dockets in the specific county are running. A realistic picture of the timeline begins with two threshold requirements.
Before any dissolution action can be filed in Florida, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months prior to the filing date. This is a statutory prerequisite under Florida Statute 61.021, and only one spouse needs to meet it. The residency clock begins with physical presence in Florida and runs independently of when the couple separated or when the decision to divorce was made. For spouses who recently relocated, this requirement can add months before the formal process begins.
Once a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed, Florida Statute 61.19 prohibits a final judgment from being entered until at least 20 days have passed from the filing date. A judge may waive this period only upon a showing that delay would cause injustice, a narrow exception that applies in rare circumstances. For most cases, the 20-day floor is the minimum floor only, not a realistic expectation of how quickly the process concludes.
When both spouses agree on all terms, including property division, debt allocation, and if applicable, child arrangements, Florida courts can process the case within four to twelve weeks from the date of filing. A simplified dissolution of marriage, available to couples without minor children who agree on all issues, can sometimes reach a final judgment within 30 to 45 days. The main variables are how quickly required documents are filed and how the court's docket is running in the relevant county.
When spouses cannot agree on one or more issues, the process follows a longer path. Discovery, financial disclosure requirements, mediation, and potentially depositions all add time before a resolution is possible. Most contested divorces that settle before trial conclude within six to eighteen months. Cases that proceed to trial often run 24 months or longer, particularly in larger Florida counties where dockets move slowly. The presence of real estate, business interests, or retirement accounts can extend the timeline further.
When children are part of a Florida divorce, additional statutory requirements affect every timeline. Under Florida Statute 61.21, both parents must complete a Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before a final judgment can be entered. The course is a minimum of four hours. The petitioner has 45 days from filing to complete it; the other party has 45 days from service. Courts will not finalize the dissolution until both requirements are met. A parenting plan addressing timesharing and decision-making must also be approved, and if custody is disputed, the process can extend considerably beyond standard contested timelines.
Borell Law has represented clients in Florida divorce and family law matters for more than 36 years, serving thousands of families throughout Miami Lakes and across the state. Families dealing with a contested case or a complex set of circumstances can contact the firm to understand where their situation is likely to fall on the timeline.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every case is unique; consult your Florida attorney first.
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