How to Get a Quick Divorce in Florida

You can't get a divorce in Florida unless you've lived there for at least six months.

Florida allows married couples to get divorced as long as specific legal requirements are met. While anyone meeting the state's requirements can file for a standard divorce, Florida also allows couples to get a simplified divorce, but only in limited circumstances. Anyone seeking a Florida divorce should always contact an attorney first to ensure your rights are protected. Laws can change, so talking to an attorney is the best way to be sure you are taking the correct action.

Things You'll Need

• Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
• Family Law Financial Affidavit
• Marital Settlement Agreement

Instructions

1. Live in Florida. You can't get a Florida divorce unless at least one party has been a state resident for at least six months before filing for divorce. You must also be able to show the marriage is irretrievably broken or other fault grounds for divorce. However, using any reason other than an irretrievable break to the marriage will make you ineligible for a simplified divorce.

2. Meet the requirements for a simplified divorce. You can get a simplified divorce in Florida if there are no children in the marriage, the wife is not pregnant, the couple agrees to provisions for property division, the couple agrees to a simplified divorce and both spouses acknowledge the divorce is final and has no right to expect money or support from the other except for what is agreed to in the property division. Further, the couple must acknowledge they both give up certain rights they are entitled to in a standard divorce.

3. Draft the divorce petition. The fastest way to get a divorce in Florida is to file a "Petition For A Simplified Dissolution of Marriage." The petition must contain all the relevant information needed for the court to grant the divorce, including the names of the spouses and the property distribution agreement.

4. Fill out the affidavits. Simplified divorces require each spouse to fill out a Family Law Financial Affidavit. This is a sworn statement that lists each spouse's income and financial information.

5. Draft the property settlement. You must also draft a Marital Settlement Agreement that lists what property the couple owns and who gets it when the divorce is finalized.

6. File the divorce. Once the proper documents are prepared, you must file them with the clerk of the civil court in the county in which you or your spouse resides. When you submit the documents, along with the filing, your case is assigned a docket number and a hearing date. You must attend the hearing for the divorce to be finalized.

References

• The Florida Bar: Florida Powers of Attorney
• Florida Courts: Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage