How Long Does a Divorce Take in Florida?
“How long will this take?” is one of the first questions people ask me, usually right after “How much will this cost?” In this article, I explain the waiting period, walk through a realistic timeline for each type of divorce, and share what speeds a case up and what slows it down.
The Short Answer
There is no set timeline for a Florida divorce. In my experience, these are rough ranges:
| Type of divorce | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Simplified dissolution (no children, full agreement) | A few weeks to about two months |
| Uncontested divorce (full agreement, may have children) | About one to three months |
| Contested divorce that settles, often at mediation | About six months to a year |
| Contested divorce that goes to trial | About a year to two years, sometimes longer |
These aren’t promises. Your county’s court calendar, your spouse’s choices, and the issues in your case all change the math.
Florida’s 20-Day Waiting Period
Florida has a short waiting period. A judge can’t enter a final judgment until at least 20 days after the petition for divorce was filed. See Fla. Stat. § 61.19. A judge can shorten this only if waiting would cause an injustice, which is rare.
Twenty days is the floor, not the average. Very few divorces are done that fast, because courts are busy and most cases have at least a few things to work out.
What You Need Before You File
One spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months before filing. See Fla. Stat. § 61.021. Florida doesn’t require you to be separated first, and you don’t have to prove anyone was at fault. Florida is a no-fault divorce state.
The time you spend getting ready before you file can save you months later. Our guide on what to do before filing for divorce in Florida walks you through it.
The Fastest Option: Simplified Dissolution
Florida has a fast-track process called simplified dissolution of marriage. It’s usually the quickest way to get divorced, but not everyone qualifies. Under Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.105, you can use it only if:
- You have no minor or dependent children together, and the wife isn’t pregnant
- You’ve already agreed on how to split your property and pay your debts
- Neither spouse is asking for alimony
- Both spouses sign the paperwork and appear in front of the judge
There’s a catch. In a simplified dissolution, you give up some rights, like the right to a trial and an appeal, and the full financial disclosure a regular divorce requires. If you aren’t sure you know everything your spouse owns, talk to a lawyer before you choose this route.
Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce is one where you and your spouse agree on everything, but you don’t qualify for simplified dissolution. Usually that’s because you have children or one spouse will pay alimony.
You’ll sign a Marital Settlement Agreement, and a Parenting Plan if you have kids. Parents also need to finish a parenting course of at least four hours. See Fla. Stat. § 61.21. Once the paperwork is filed and the waiting period has passed, the judge can sign the final judgment, often at a short hearing.
Contested Divorce: A Realistic Timeline
When you and your spouse disagree about something, the case follows the full court process. Here’s roughly how the time adds up:
| Stage | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Filing and service of the petition | Days to a few weeks, depending on how easy your spouse is to find |
| Answer and counter-petition | Due 20 days after service |
| Mandatory financial disclosure | Due within 45 days of service |
| Negotiation and mediation | Often a few months into the case |
| Trial, if the case doesn’t settle | Often 6 to 12 months after mediation |
| Final judgment | At the end of settlement or trial, and never sooner than 20 days after filing |
The financial disclosure deadline comes from Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.285. For more detail on each step, read our guide to the Florida divorce process.
Most contested cases settle, often at mediation. That’s the big fork in the road. A case that settles at mediation can end within months. A case that goes to trial usually waits for the court to find time on its calendar. Learn more about divorce mediation in Florida and what to expect at a Florida divorce trial.
What Makes a Divorce Take Longer
These are the things I see slow cases down most often:
- A spouse who won’t cooperate. Dodging service, missing deadlines, or refusing to negotiate adds weeks or months.
- Missing or hidden financial documents. If one side has to go to court to force disclosure, the clock keeps running.
- Custody disputes. Fights over the parenting plan often take the longest. Read more about child custody in Florida.
- A business or complex assets. Valuing a business or tracing money can require experts. See our page on property division.
- Alimony disputes. Disagreements over alimony can add hearings and expert testimony.
- A busy court calendar. Some counties simply move slower than others.
Time and money go hand in hand. The longer a case runs, the more it usually costs. See what a divorce costs in Florida.
How to Speed Up Your Divorce
You can’t control your spouse or the court. But you can control a lot of what happens on your side:
- Gather your documents early. Tax returns, pay stubs, bank and credit card statements, and retirement statements. Start before you file if you can.
- Be complete and honest. Full disclosure up front avoids fights later.
- Pick your battles. Fighting over every item costs time and money. Focus on what really matters to you.
- Stay respectful. Calm communication makes settlement easier.
- Take mediation seriously. Come prepared, with realistic goals.
- Get advice early. A lawyer can spot problems before they become delays.
If you’ve just been served, the first month matters. Read what the first month of a Florida divorce looks like.
The Bottom Line
The law only requires 20 days. Everything after that depends on how much you and your spouse agree on, how prepared you are, and how busy your court is. The best way to shorten your divorce is to get organized early and focus on the issues that really matter. Learn more about our Florida divorce lawyers.
This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.