Divorce / Dissolution Overview

Because Florida is what we call a "no-fault" state, it is not necessary for you to prove that your spouse did anything wrong in order for you to obtain a divorce or dissolution of marriage. In fact, courts are authorized to grant a divorce even if the other spouse does not want or consent to the divorce.

All that's required to obtain a divorce in Florida is that:

• One of the parties to the marriage must reside in Florida for six (6) months prior to filing the
  Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
• The marriage must be "irretrievably broken" and one of the parties must testify to that fact
  under oath.

There are numerous factors to consider when contemplating the dissolution of a marriage. The first step is to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. If you are the party who initiates the Divorce/Dissolution process, you are the Petitioner. If not, you are called the Respondent. After receiving service of the petition, the Respondent has twenty (20) days to file an Answer to it or a default may be entered. After the Answer is filed, both spouses are required by law to exchange certain documents and information which are used to prepare for trial and to assist the court in judging certain aspects of the case, including

• Custody & Visitation,
• Child Support ,
• Alimony and
• Equitable Distribution.
  

Once all required documents and papers have been filed, the case is ready to be set for trial. A trial may last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks depending upon the amount of evidence that is presented and the complexity of the issues involved. Either through the courts or ADR, our goal is to work toward a fair resolution of your concerns, while avoiding the unnecessary public exposure of private issues.

Contact us online or call us at 954-966-3900 to set up an initial consultation with a Divorce Attorney so that you can learn more about your rights and options.