It can take much longer to officially end a marriage than it does to get married in the first place. Couples can obtain marriage licenses in Florida in as little as one day, allowing for a relatively rapid marriage process.
On the other hand, those hoping to divorce may face a much longer process overall. Regardless of whether there are disputes about the terms of the divorce, couples must wait after submitting initial paperwork to the family courts before finalizing the divorce becomes an option. The waiting period between filing and any subsequent court hearing is known as a cooling-off period.
How long must couples wait to move forward with a divorce in Florida?
The law aims to deter impulse divorces
The decision to divorce is often the culmination of many weeks of contemplation or possibly even years of slow relationship degradation. However, sometimes people file abruptly in response to disputes or the discovery of problematic information.
The cooling-off period that follows one spouse filing their initial petition with the courts delays when subsequent hearings can occur. It provides an opportunity for spouses to process their conflicts with one another and consider the true implications of the decision to divorce. Couples generally need to wait at least 20 days after filing initial paperwork to move forward with a divorce.
While many couples move forward with the divorce process, some couples do decide during the cooling-off period that they want to work on the relationship with one another instead of choosing to end it.
Understanding what the state requires for a divorce can make it easier for people to plan for the future effectively. A divorce attorney can help people understand the process ahead, including their “rough timeline” based on their unique marital circumstances.