An Uncontested Florida Divorce When One Spouse Lives Abroad and There Is Nothing to Divide

This couple married and then never built a shared life. One spouse lived in Florida and the other lived in another country, they separated within a year of the wedding, and by the time they decided to divorce they had no children, no home, no vehicles, no joint accounts, and no debts to split. Their case shows that an uncontested Florida divorce can be straightforward even when the spouses are thousands of miles apart.

Because there was nothing to divide, the settlement agreement was short. Each spouse kept their own belongings and accounts, each was responsible for their own debts, both waived alimony, and each agreed to pay their own attorney's fees. The Florida-resident spouse was the one who met Florida's six-month residency requirement, and the firm documented that with his Florida driver's license issued well over six months before filing. The spouse abroad signed an Answer and waiver instead of being formally served, which is what allows an agreed case to move without a process server.

The spouse living abroad had several practical questions before signing: who was paying which fees, whether she needed her own Florida lawyer, how she would be notified when the case ended, and why the case was filed in a county neither spouse lived in. She also speaks a different first language than English, which mattered because Florida online notaries must be able to communicate directly with the person signing. The firm answered her questions in writing, explained that the firm represented only the Florida spouse, and the signing was moved to a notary who could work with both spouses directly. That adjustment added several days, but it gave both spouses time to be comfortable before signing under oath.

Both spouses signed before a Florida online notary over video from their separate locations, so neither had to travel. The signed packet was filed with the court in early October, the proposed Final Judgment was submitted to the judge the same day the case number was assigned, and the judge entered it two days later, without a hearing. The firm promised the spouse abroad a copy of the entered judgment and sent both spouses a closing summary afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a spouse who lives outside the United States be part of a Florida divorce?

Yes. As long as at least one spouse has lived in Florida for the six months before filing, the court can dissolve the marriage. The spouse living abroad can take part by signing an Answer and waiver and the settlement agreement, which allows the case to proceed without formal service.

How does a spouse sign documents from another country?

Florida allows remote online notarization, where the signer appears by video and proves their identity electronically. Identity verification can be more complicated for someone who lives abroad or does not have a U.S. credit history, so it is worth confirming the notary's process before scheduling the signing session.

Does the other spouse need their own Florida lawyer?

Not necessarily. In an uncontested case, the attorney represents only one spouse and cannot give the other spouse legal advice, but the other spouse may sign the agreement without a lawyer. Anyone who is unsure about what they are signing can consult their own attorney first, and nothing prevents that.

What if one spouse does not speak English well?

A notary must be able to communicate directly with each signer, and a signer should understand what they are swearing to. If there is a language barrier, it is better to raise it before the signing session so a suitable notary and a plan for understanding the documents can be arranged.

What happens if the spouses have no property or debts?

The settlement agreement can simply say that each spouse keeps their own property and debts. The agreement still matters, because it records the alimony waiver, the fee arrangement, and the confirmation that there is nothing left to divide.

Why was the case filed in a county other than where the spouses live?

Florida allows uncontested cases to be filed in a county by consent of the parties. The firm files its uncontested cases in a single Florida county under a written venue agreement, which keeps the process consistent and efficient regardless of where the spouses live.