How Long do Divorces in Florida Take

Divorces often cause a mix of emotions. Many people going through a divorce are anxious to move on with their lives. Both spouses start imagining what their lives will be like after the divorce, and they want to start that life immediately. Regrettably divorces are not always a fast and trouble-free process. As a result, divorces usually create feelings of impatience and displeasure.  However, knowing a likely time frame for your divorce can help to alleviate anxieties.

Although every divorce is unique, different circumstances can have a huge effect on how fast you complete your divorce and begin your new life.

Types of Divorces

The State of Florida permits spouses to pursue three different kinds of divorces, including simplified, uncontested, and contested divorces.

Simplified Divorces

Simplified divorces, as long as certain requirements are complied with, allow couples to skip most of the filings and court appearances. Upon filing for a simplified divorce, you are required to wait a minimum of 20 days before showing up for a compulsory hearing. After the hearing, your marriage will be considered officially dissolved.

This type of divorce is only allowed for those spouses not seeking out alimony, are not pregnant or have children, have agreed that their marriage is irretrievably broken, and have agreed on all the terms of the divorce.

However, if spouses are unable to fulfill any of the above requirements, they must file for a regular divorce. The two types of regular divorce are contested and uncontested.

Uncontested Divorces

In an uncontested divorce, all of the choices concerning your children and finances are jointly determined by both spouses. The divorce would be considered finalized only after filing all of the required paperwork, negotiating key decisions, and having the state process the divorce. If everything goes smoothly, uncontested divorces can take as little as six weeks.

Contested Divorces

In situations where spouses are incapable of agreeing on the terms, the divorce turns into a contested one. Contested divorces require decisions to be made by a judge. This type of divorce generally takes much longer. Several factors, such as the size of the estate, determine the amount of time a contested divorce takes. Contested divorces often take several months to one year to be finalized.

Ways to Help Speed Up Your Divorce

Even if you have not already officially filed for divorce, splitting up assets and liabilities can help simplify divorce proceedings.

Since a judge has to decide debated issues in contested divorces, more issues make the process take longer. Therefore, even in a contested divorce, any issues that spouses can agree upon may help speed up the process.

Don’t Hesitate to Contact a Divorce Attorney

A skilled family law attorney can help you decide which type of divorce is right for you.  We will advise you of your rights and fight for you.

Since divorces can be time-consuming and stressful, we encourage you to contact an attorney as soon as possible. It is crucial that you choose a qualified attorney to better assist you.

Proper planning is often the key to speeding up your divorce. The experienced Orlando contested divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Steve W. Marsee are here to assist you successfully obtain a divorce. You can count on our qualified team to aggressively represent your interests. Call today at 407-521-7171 or contact us online to discuss your options more in-depth.