How Long Does a Divorce Take in Florida?

Short answer: A Florida divorce cannot be finalized sooner than 20 days after the petition is filed. Uncontested divorces often finish in one to three months, while contested divorces commonly take six months to a year or more, depending on disputes over children, property and support, and on the court's schedule.

"How long will this take?" is one of the first questions people ask, and the honest answer is that it depends mostly on how much the spouses disagree. Florida law sets only a floor. Everything above that floor is driven by the issues, the people and the court calendar.

The legal minimum

Florida requires at least 20 days between the filing of the petition and the entry of the final judgment. The court can shorten that only in unusual circumstances. So even the simplest case takes about three weeks.

Typical timelines

Uncontested

Settlement signed early
Often 1 to 3 months
Main delays: paperwork and a hearing date

Contested

Disputes over money, property or children
Often 6 to 12 months or more
Main delays: disclosure, mediation, trial scheduling

What slows a divorce down

Incomplete financial disclosure. Missing statements and late financial affidavits are the most common source of delay.
Business interests or complex assets. Valuing a company, a pension or real estate may require an appraiser or forensic accountant.
Disputes about the children. Time-sharing disagreements may involve a guardian ad litem, evaluations or extra hearings.
Difficulty serving the other spouse. Locating a spouse who has moved can add weeks.
Trial scheduling. Contested final hearings are set on the court's calendar, which can be months out.

What speeds it up

Organize early. Gather tax returns, statements and pay records before filing so disclosure is quick.
Exchange disclosure promptly. Meeting the 45-day disclosure deadline keeps the case on track.
Mediate once the numbers are clear. Mediation is most productive when both sides have the full financial picture.
Settle what you can. Even a partial agreement narrows what the judge has to decide.

Good to know: Temporary orders can make a long case livable. A judge can set temporary support, time-sharing and bill payments while the divorce is pending.

Brevard County specifics

Family cases in Brevard County are heard in the 18th Judicial Circuit, mostly at the Moore Justice Center in Viera. Mediation is typically required before a contested final hearing, and the time it takes to get a trial date depends on the judge's docket. Your lawyer can give a more specific estimate once the issues are known.

When to talk to a lawyer

If you want a realistic timeline for your situation, a consultation is the fastest way to get one. Heather Harris Law handles divorce cases across Brevard County and can map out the likely path from filing to final judgment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to get divorced in Florida?

A fully agreed, uncontested divorce, or a simplified dissolution if you have no children, is fastest. Both still require at least 20 days from filing to final judgment.

Does it take longer if my spouse won't sign?

Your spouse's refusal cannot stop a Florida divorce, but disputes and slow responses can lengthen it. If a spouse does not respond after being served, the case can proceed by default.

Can I remarry right after the final judgment?

Florida does not impose a waiting period to remarry after the final judgment is entered, though it is wise to wait until any appeal period has passed.

Heather Harris Law, 650 South Courtenay Parkway, Suite 101, Merritt Island, FL 32952. Call (321) 452-7055. Heather Harris spent thirteen years as an Assistant State Attorney before opening her practice and is licensed in Florida and Alabama. This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.