How Long Does It Take to Get the Divorce Process Started?

If you and your spouse have made the decision to split, you likely have plenty of questions about what to expect in terms of the timeline for divorce. Wanting to move on with your life as quickly as possible is perfectly understandable, and a divorce standing in your way can be seen as a big obstacle.

When it comes to how long a divorce in Florida takes, the answer truly is “it depends.” And the big reason it depends is because it all comes down to the type of divorce that’s being handled – whether it is a contested or uncontested divorce.

Uncontested Divorces in Florida

If you and your soon-to-be ex agree on all of the divorce-related details, including division of assets, parenting arrangements and other marital divisions, your divorce will be finalized much more quickly than if the divorce were to be contested.

An uncontested divorce really only takes the length of time that’s required to draft and sign the documents, which is usually just a few weeks at most, followed by another few weeks to await the final hearing for the uncontested, or non-litigated, divorce. In total, uncontested divorces can be done in as little as a month in Florida.

Contested Divorces in Florida

Conversely, contested divorces, which happen to be the majority of divorce cases, will take a much longer period of time because much more is involved in the case. The average time for contested divorces is approximately 9-18 months, but this can be improved on especially if you have a good family law attorney who makes sure the case is moving forward.

Part of the reason it takes so long is that several steps need to happen along the way, including:

• The documents must be prepared, executed, and served.
• Then your spouse has 20 days to answer.
• After that, you both have 30 days to exchange financial discovery.
• Next a mediation needs to be scheduled.
• You may also need to schedule a motion for temporary relief.
• Finally, you have to schedule a trial, and judges are extremely busy right now with virtual hearings so they can take up to 3-6 months to schedule.

These, and many other steps in between are important but time-consuming when finalizing your divorce. At the Vasquez de Lara Law Group, we will be at your side throughout the entire process and ensure things continue to move as timely as possible. For questions or to schedule a case evaluation, please get in touch with us.