Bifurcation
Bifurcation means splitting a divorce into two parts: the court first ends the marriage legally, then resolves remaining issues like property division, alimony, or time-sharing later. This lets spouses become legally single before every financial detail is settled. Florida courts rarely grant bifurcation and generally prefer to resolve all issues in one final judgment, allowing it only when there is good cause.
Last updated June 21, 2026
Legal Definition
The separation of the dissolution of marriage from the adjudication of ancillary issues (equitable distribution, support, parenting), permitted in Florida only upon a showing of good cause and disfavored as a matter of judicial practice.
Example
Because the business valuation would take many more months, one spouse requested bifurcation to finalize the divorce sooner.
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