A divorce in Florida can take anywhere from about one month to more than a year. Uncontested divorces where spouses agree on every issue often finish in one to three months, while contested cases involving children, alimony, or significant assets commonly take six months to a year or longer. Speaking with a family law attorney early can help you avoid the most common delays.
How long a divorce takes in Florida depends mostly on how much you and your spouse agree on and how busy your local court is. Florida law sets a short minimum waiting period, but real-world timelines depend on paperwork, financial disclosure, negotiation, and the court calendar. Understanding each stage helps you plan your finances, your living arrangements, and your parenting schedule with realistic expectations.
Florida Divorce Requirements That Affect Your Timeline
Before a case can begin, at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months immediately before filing the petition. If you recently moved to the Jacksonville Beaches area, you may need to wait until you meet that residency requirement before you can file.
Once you file the petition, Florida Statutes Section 61.19 generally prevents a court from entering a final judgment until at least 20 days have passed. That 20-day period is the absolute minimum, and very few cases finish that quickly. Florida is also a no-fault state, so you only need to prove that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not have to prove wrongdoing, which removes one potential source of delay.
If you have minor children and one spouse denies that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court has the option to continue the case for up to three months or order counseling. This situation is uncommon, but it can extend the timeline.
How Long an Uncontested Divorce Takes
An uncontested divorce is one in which both spouses agree on property division, debts, alimony, and, if children are involved, the parenting plan and child support. When spouses reach full agreement, they typically sign a marital settlement agreement that the judge reviews and adopts into the final judgment.
Many uncontested cases are finalized within one to three months of filing. Couples without minor children who agree on everything may qualify for a simplified dissolution of marriage, which can move even faster because both spouses sign the petition together and attend a single short hearing. Even in an uncontested case, both spouses must still complete mandatory financial disclosure, and parents must finish a court-approved parenting course before the final judgment is entered.
How Long a Contested Divorce Takes
A contested divorce is one in which spouses disagree on one or more issues. These cases commonly take six months to a year, and complex cases can run well beyond that. The issues that most often lengthen a contested case include:
- Disputes over child custody and timesharing, especially when a parent seeks majority time or wants to relocate.
- Disagreements about alimony, including the type, amount, and duration of support.
- Business interests, retirement accounts, or real estate that require valuation during the division of assets.
- Concerns that a spouse is concealing income or property, a problem covered in our discussion of hidden assets in Florida divorce.
While a contested case is pending, the court can enter temporary orders on support, parenting time, and use of the marital home. Our article on temporary versus final orders explains how those interim arrangements work while you wait for a final judgment.
The Stages of a Florida Divorce
Most Florida divorces move through the same general stages. The table below shows each step and a typical time range, although every case is different.
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Time Range |
|---|---|---|
| Filing and service | Petition is filed and formally delivered to the other spouse | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Response | Receiving spouse files an answer and any counterpetition | 20 days after service |
| Financial disclosure | Both spouses exchange financial affidavits and required documents | Due within 45 days of service |
| Discovery | Additional documents, depositions, or valuations in contested cases | 1 to 6 months or more |
| Mediation | Spouses work with a neutral mediator to settle open issues | Often 1 day, scheduled weeks out |
| Final hearing or trial | Judge approves the agreement or decides disputed issues | Depends on court calendar |
Florida courts, including the Fourth Judicial Circuit that covers Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties, generally expect contested family cases to go through mediation before trial. Many cases settle at mediation, which is often the single biggest opportunity to shorten the process.
Local Factors in Northeast Florida
Where you file matters. Divorces filed by Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Jacksonville Beach residents are typically handled in Duval County as part of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, while cases for Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, and St. Augustine residents usually proceed in St. Johns County in the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Each circuit has its own local procedures, case management practices, and hearing availability, so the wait for a final hearing can differ between counties. Working with a firm that regularly appears in these courts, such as a Ponte Vedra Beach family law attorney or a Jacksonville Beach family law attorney, helps you prepare for how your specific court operates.
Military families in the area face additional considerations. Under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, an active duty servicemember can request a stay of at least 90 days if military duties prevent participation in the case. Deployments, overseas assignments, and the division of military retirement benefits can all affect timing, which is why many service members work with a military divorce lawyer familiar with these rules.
Want a Realistic Timeline for Your Divorce?
Every case moves at its own pace, and early decisions often determine how long yours will take. Attorney Kent Griffin has argued hundreds of cases before judges throughout Florida and personally handles the representation of his clients. Call (904) 372-9708 or contact Griffin Family Law to schedule a consultation.
How to Keep Your Divorce From Taking Longer Than Necessary
Some delay is outside your control, but several steps can keep your case moving. Gather tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and retirement account statements early so that financial disclosure is not held up. Respond promptly to requests from your attorney and the court. Stay open to reasonable compromise on issues that matter less to you, and focus your energy on the issues that matter most. If you are still preparing to file, our guide on what Neptune Beach residents should know before filing for divorce walks through the practical preparation that makes a difference later.
Finally, keep in mind that a final judgment is not always the end. If circumstances change significantly after the divorce, parenting plans and support orders can sometimes be adjusted through a modification.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Long a Divorce Takes in Florida
What is the fastest a divorce can be finalized in Florida?
Florida law generally requires at least 20 days between filing the petition and entry of a final judgment. Only simple, fully agreed cases come close to that minimum.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Florida?
Many uncontested divorces are finalized in about one to three months, depending on how quickly paperwork is completed and when the court can schedule the final hearing.
How long does a contested divorce take in Florida?
Contested divorces commonly take six months to a year. Cases involving custody disputes, business valuations, or hidden assets can take longer.
Do I have to live in Florida to file for divorce here?
Yes. At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months immediately before filing the petition.
Does having children make a Florida divorce take longer?
It can. Parents must complete a parenting course and agree on or litigate a parenting plan and child support, which adds steps to the process.
Can my spouse delay the divorce by refusing to sign?
A spouse cannot stop a Florida divorce by refusing to sign. If a spouse does not respond after being properly served, the case can proceed by default, although contested issues may still take time to resolve.
What Happens When You Call Griffin Family Law
When you call (904) 372-9708, you can speak with our office about your situation and schedule a consultation with attorney Kent Griffin. During the consultation, he will ask about your marriage, your children, your income and assets, and the issues you and your spouse agree or disagree on. You will leave with a clear explanation of the process, the likely timeline for your case, and the options available to you. You can learn more about what to expect in our overview of the family law consultation process.
Talk to a Neptune Beach Divorce Lawyer About Your Timeline
Griffin Family Law represents clients throughout the Jacksonville Beaches and the greater Jacksonville area, including Duval, Nassau, Clay, Baker, and St. Johns Counties. Kent Griffin brings courtroom experience from hundreds of cases argued before Florida judges, along with a practice focused on resolving matters through negotiation whenever possible. To discuss your divorce and get a realistic picture of how long it may take, call (904) 372-9708 or reach out online.
