Fastest Ways to Get Divorced in Florida
# Fast Divorce: The Fastest Ways to Get Divorced in Florida
When your marriage has reached its end, the last thing you want is to feel stuck in a long, drawn-out legal process. As a Florida divorce attorney, I can tell you that while there is no true “instant” divorce, there *are* ways to move through the process quickly, efficiently, and with as little stress as possible.
If your goal is a fast divorce in Florida, here’s what you need to know—and exactly how to position yourself for the smoothest outcome.
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## First, Understand Florida’s Only “Waiting Period”
Florida is a **no-fault divorce state**, which means you don’t have to prove wrongdoing. You simply state the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”
However, Florida law requires a **minimum 20-day waiting period** from the date the divorce petition is filed before a judge can finalize it. That’s the baseline. While judges *can* waive this waiting period in rare hardship situations, most divorces follow this rule.
So realistically, the *absolute fastest* divorce in Florida takes about 30–45 days from filing—*if everything is handled correctly.*
Let’s talk about how to make that happen.
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## 1. The Fastest Route: Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
If you and your spouse agree on everything and meet certain requirements, a **Simplified Dissolution of Marriage** is typically the fastest option available in Florida.
### You qualify if:
– You have **no minor or dependent children**
– Neither spouse is pregnant
– Both of you agree the marriage is irretrievably broken
– You have agreed on how to divide all assets and debts
– Neither of you wants alimony
– One spouse has lived in Florida for at least six months
– Both of you are willing to attend the final hearing together
This is essentially a streamlined, uncontested divorce. Because there are no disputes and no children involved, courts can move these cases very quickly.
In many counties, you could be divorced in as little as **four to six weeks**.
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## 2. Uncontested Divorce (With or Without Kids)
If you don’t qualify for simplified divorce—perhaps because you have children or one spouse wants alimony—you can still pursue an **uncontested divorce**, which is the next fastest route.
An uncontested divorce means:
– You and your spouse agree on all terms
– You sign a **Marital Settlement Agreement**
– If children are involved, you submit a **Parenting Plan**
– Both parties complete full financial disclosures
When children are involved, parents must also complete a **state-approved parenting course**, which must be done before the final hearing.
Even with children, an uncontested case can be finalized relatively quickly—often within **6 to 8 weeks**, depending on how organized and cooperative both parties are.
The key here is agreement. The more you agree upfront, the faster your case moves.
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## 3. Waive Formal Service to Save Time
One common delay in divorce cases is service of process—formally delivering divorce papers to the other spouse through a sheriff or process server.
If you’re working together amicably, your spouse can sign an **Answer and Waiver of Service**, eliminating that step entirely.
This alone can shave weeks off the timeline.
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## 4. File for Default If Your Spouse Doesn’t Respond
If your spouse has been served but does not respond within **20 days**, you can request a **Clerk’s Default**.
After default is entered, you may proceed toward a final hearing without them participating.
This can significantly speed up situations where one spouse is avoiding or ignoring the paperwork.
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## 5. Avoid Court Battles at All Costs
If speed is the priority, litigation is the enemy.
Court hearings, contested motions, and trial scheduling can stretch your divorce from months into a year or more.
To move quickly:
– Negotiate early
– Use mediation
– Consider collaborative divorce
– Keep communication focused on resolution, not retaliation
Even high-conflict couples can often reach agreements through mediation, which is typically required in contested cases anyway.
A single productive mediation session can save months of courtroom delays.
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## 6. Be Organized and Complete Your Paperwork Properly
I say this gently, but it matters: incomplete paperwork causes delay.
To keep things moving:
– Provide full and accurate financial documents
– Complete mandatory disclosures on time
– File required affidavits correctly
– Schedule your parenting course early (if you have children)
When everything is submitted cleanly and correctly, judges are far more likely to finalize your case without complication.
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## 7. Choose the Right Attorney (Yes, It Matters)
While you’re not required to hire an attorney for an uncontested divorce, working with someone who understands Florida procedure can dramatically reduce mistakes and delays.
An experienced divorce attorney will:
– Draft proper settlement agreements
– Ensure parenting plans comply with Florida law
– Anticipate judicial issues before they arise
– Keep your timeline on track
When speed matters, precision matters.
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## Realistic Timeline for a Fast Florida Divorce
Here’s what you can realistically expect:
– **Simplified Divorce (no kids, full agreement):** 30–45 days
– **Uncontested Divorce (with agreement):** 45–60 days
– **Default Divorce (spouse doesn’t respond):** 45–75 days
– **Contested Divorce (litigation involved):** 6 months to over a year
The difference between 45 days and 12 months usually comes down to one thing: **conflict.**
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## A Loving but Honest Reminder
Divorce is not just paperwork—it’s the transition of a life. Moving quickly can be healthy, especially when both people are emotionally ready and cooperative.
But rushing without clear agreements can create problems later.
The fastest divorce is the one where:
– You’re informed
– You’re organized
– You’re emotionally grounded
– And you’re committed to resolution
If you and your spouse can stay calm and solution-focused, Florida’s legal system allows for a dignified, relatively quick ending.
And sometimes, closing one chapter efficiently is the most compassionate thing you can do for both of you.
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For a deeper explanation of how fast divorce works in Florida, watch the video below:
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