How Long Does Divorce Take in Florida? Complete 2026 Timeline Guide

How Long Does a Divorce Take in Florida?

Quick Answer: Uncontested divorces in Florida take 4-8 weeks. Contested divorces take 4-18 months depending on complexity. Florida has no mandatory waiting period.

Florida Divorce Timeline Summary

Important: Florida has no mandatory waiting period for divorce. Your case can be finalized as soon as all requirements are met.

Factors That Affect Your Timeline

1. Contested vs. Uncontested (Biggest Factor)

Uncontested = Agreement on all issues = Weeks

Contested = Disagreement = Months or years

2. Children

Divorces with children take longer due to:

• Parenting plan requirements
• Mandatory parenting course
• Court scrutiny of arrangements

3. Asset Complexity

More assets require more time for:

• Identification and valuation
• Negotiation of division
• Documentation

4. Spouse Cooperation

An uncooperative spouse can delay:

• Document signing (weeks)
• Asset disclosure (months)
• Settlement negotiations (months)

5. Court Backlog

Some counties are busier than others:

• Miami-Dade: Longer wait times
• Smaller counties: Faster processing

Uncontested Divorce Timeline (Week by Week)

Week 1: Document preparation

Week 2: File petition, serve spouse

Weeks 3-4: Response period, submit documents

Weeks 4-6: Final hearing, judgment issued

Contested Divorce Timeline (Step by Step)

Months 1-2: Filing, service, temporary orders

Months 2-4: Discovery and financial disclosure

Months 4-6: Mediation and negotiation

Months 6-12+: Trial (if no settlement)

How to Speed Up Your Divorce

How AI Technology Speeds Up Divorce

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get divorced in 30 days in Florida?

A: It's possible for very simple uncontested cases, though 4-6 weeks is more typical.

Q: What causes the longest delays?

A: Contested custody cases and disputes over business valuations cause the longest delays.

Q: Does hiring an attorney slow things down?

A: No—an efficient attorney speeds up the process. AI-powered firms are even faster.

Get a Personalized Timeline

Every divorce is different. If you and your spouse agree on all terms, our flat-fee uncontested divorce is $750 and typically finalizes about one to three weeks from hiring, though timing depends on the court and is never guaranteed. You can also ask Victoria, our free AI assistant, general questions about Florida divorce timelines 24/7.