How Long Will My Divorce Take In Florida?
The answer to this question depends on the type of divorce you’re filing. Some divorces can be completed in as little as six weeks. Others could take years before every issue is resolved. Ultimately, it depends on your approach to the divorce. There is no standard here because there are too many options. In this article, the Tampa, FL divorce attorneys at Faulkner Law Group, PLLC will discuss how long your divorce could take depending on what kind of divorce you file.
Simplified divorces in Florida
If you want your divorce to be over in a hurry, a simplified divorce is the way to go. This is the quickest and easiest way to get a divorce in Florida. However, you must meet specific requirements to pursue a simplified divorce in Florida. These include:
- You and your spouse do not have any minor children
- Your wife is not pregnant
- Both spouses agree to waive alimony
- Both spouses must appear at the final hearing
- Neither spouse objects to the process of simplified divorce
- You and your spouse agree on property division and dividing your debts
Both spouses will sign and file a petition for a simplified divorce, including attached financial affidavits. The court will schedule a hearing no fewer than 20 days after you file. If everything appears to be in order, then the court can grant the divorce. The entire process takes about a month to complete, sometimes less.
Uncontested divorces in Florida
The second-quickest way to divorce is an uncontested divorce. You and your spouse will have to agree to all terms related to the divorce. This includes issues such as property division, child custody, spousal support, and child support.
One spouse will file divorce papers with the court and serve the other spouse. The responding spouse has 20 days to file an answer. The court will schedule a hearing. If everything is in order, then the judge can grant the divorce at the hearing. An uncontested divorce can take a few months to complete.
Contested divorces in Florida
Contested divorces take the longest to complete. Since the spouses don’t agree on all matters related to their divorce, they’ll need the court to make decisions on their behalf. In some cases, contested divorces will take years to complete. In other cases, they may be resolved within a year. It depends on what matters the couple agrees on and how many matters remain unresolved. The process for a contested divorce includes:
- Filing the initial divorce papers
- Legal service of the divorce papers to the responding spouse
- 20-day people for the responding spouse to file an answer and serve the answer to the petitioning spouse
- The spouses engage in discovery and exchange information and evidence
- Completion of mandatory parenting courses and mediation
- Final trial
Talk to a Tampa, FL Divorce Attorney Today
Faulkner Law Group, PLLC represents the interests of Tampa residents during their divorce. Call our Tampa family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.
