How Long Does a Dissolution of Marriage Take in Florida?

How Long Is This Going to Take?

Without a doubt, one of the most common questions about divorce that I get is: how long is this going to drag out? The truth is, it depends. Some cases move quickly, especially when both sides are cooperative. Others get bogged down with disputes, paperwork delays, or court backlog.

In Florida, all divorces are legally called a dissolution of marriage, whether they’re simple and uncontested or complicated and messy. So while many people use the term to describe a fast and friendly split, the law applies it across the board. That’s why this post covers both ends of the spectrum.

Quick-Glance Divorce Timelines in Florida

Below is a rough overview of how long different types of divorce typically take in Florida. These aren’t promises, but they’re based on what we’ve seen in the real world.

If you’re lucky, everything moves quickly. But if just one piece of the puzzle is out of place, it can stall the entire process. Keep reading to learn what those pieces are and how to stay ahead of them.

Key Milestones and How Long They Usually Take

There’s a rhythm to divorce in Florida. Whether things go fast or slow depends a lot on how quickly each step is handled. Some parts are straightforward, others get bogged down in paperwork, court calendars, or plain old foot-dragging.

Below is a look at the main stages you’ll go through, along with how long they usually take. Keep in mind, these are ballpark numbers. Some folks fly through in 60 days, others get stuck for over a year. It’s not just the system, it’s the people in it too.

Some of these steps overlap or move faster if both sides are motivated. But it doesn’t take much to knock things off track. One missing document or ignored deadline can stall the whole case for weeks.

What Speeds Things Up

If you want things to move fast, you need more than luck. Most quick divorces have a few things in common. For starters, both people are on the same page. They agree on how to split things, they’re not fighting over parenting time, and they respond to paperwork quickly.

Here are a few of the biggest time-savers:

• Spouses agree on all major issues before filing
• No minor children involved
• Parenting course is completed early (if required)
• Financial documents are turned in on time
• Mediation, if needed, is brief and productive

Some counties move cases faster than others. Courts in South Florida, like Miami-Dade and Broward, handle a huge number of divorce filings, which can lead to longer waits for mediation and final hearings. In contrast, smaller or mid-sized counties may be able to schedule these steps more quickly, especially for uncontested cases.

What Slows Things Down

Divorces rarely drag on just because of the court. Most of the time, it’s the people involved or the paperwork that creates the bottleneck. Here’s where delays usually creep in, often without warning.

One of the biggest culprits? Missing financial documents. Florida law requires both parties to submit a full financial affidavit. If someone’s dragging their feet or handing over incomplete info, nothing else can move forward.

Another slowdown happens when kids are involved. Parents have to take a court-approved parenting course, and if either party waits too long to enroll, the timeline stalls. It’s an easy thing to overlook but an even easier thing to avoid.

Then there’s the issue of court calendars. If you file in a busy county, it can take weeks just to get a mediation date or final hearing on the books. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orange counties are notoriously backed up compared to smaller ones like Clay or Santa Rosa.

Contested divorces are another story altogether. If the two of you can’t agree on custody, property division, or alimony, expect mediation to be required and court dates to stack up. That alone can add several months to the process.

Realistic Timeline Examples

It helps to look at a few real-life examples. These aren’t one-size-fits-all, but they show just how much the details matter.

Take Jennifer and Mike. They had no kids, both wanted the divorce, and had already agreed on how to split everything. They filed in a smaller county, completed their paperwork quickly, and were divorced in just a couple months. Pretty rare, but possible.

Now compare that to Carlos and Tamika. They share two young kids, own a home and a business together, and couldn’t agree on custody. Between missed financial deadlines, a rescheduled mediation, and waiting six weeks for a final hearing, their divorce took nearly 15 months to finalize. And that’s with lawyers on both sides trying to keep things moving.

Most people fall somewhere in between. If you’re wondering how long yours might take, think about where you fall on that spectrum. Are you working with your spouse, or working around them? That makes all the difference.

What You Can Do to Keep Things Moving

You can’t control everything in a divorce, but you’ve got more influence than you might think. The smoother things go on your end, the faster the whole process tends to wrap up.

Start by gathering all your documents early. Bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, anything that paints a clear financial picture. Having them ready before anyone even asks can save a lot of back and forth.

If you have kids, sign up for the parenting course as soon as possible. Don’t wait for a reminder. Some counties won’t schedule a final hearing until both courses are done, so the sooner you check it off, the better.

And when it comes to communication, keep things steady. Respond to messages from your attorney quickly. Show up to mediation prepared. If your spouse is cooperative, keep the peace long enough to get through the paperwork. You don’t have to be friends, just finish the job.

Why a Good Attorney Saves You Time (and Money)

Some people try to handle divorce on their own to save a few bucks. That can work in the simplest cases, but even a small misstep like a missed form, a wrong number, or an overlooked deadline can drag the process out for weeks or cost you more in the long run.

A solid attorney keeps things organized. They know when to push, when to pause, and how to avoid the common traps that cause delays. They’ll tell you what’s worth fighting for and what’s not, which can save you both time and stress. I’ve handled many situations like this, so if you’re on the path to divorce, give me a call.