Divorce

Divorce is one of the most legally and emotionally complex events a person can navigate. It is not just the end of a relationship — it is a formal legal process with rules, timelines, filings, and consequences that last long after the paperwork is signed.

What this section covers

This pillar covers the full arc of the divorce process, from the moment you consider filing to the day your divorce is finalized and beyond.

The legal process

Divorce law varies by state. In Florida — and in most states — divorce requires one spouse to establish grounds. Florida is a no-fault state, which means you do not need to prove wrongdoing to divorce. You simply need to state that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”

But no-fault does not mean no conflict. The legal process still requires:

• Filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Serving your spouse with the petition
• Financial disclosure (mandatory in Florida)
• Negotiation or litigation over marital assets, debts, support, and custody
• A final hearing or trial if no agreement is reached

What takes time

Most people are surprised by how long divorce takes. An uncontested divorce with full agreement can be finalized in 20 days in Florida after the waiting period. A contested divorce — with disagreements over property, support, or children — can take 12 to 36 months.

The primary drivers of timeline are:

• Whether both parties agree on the major issues
• Whether children are involved and custody is disputed
• The complexity of the marital estate (businesses, real estate, retirement accounts)
• Court calendar and case backlog in your county

Equitable distribution

Florida divides marital property “equitably” — which means fairly, not necessarily equally. Courts start from a presumption of 50/50 and adjust based on factors like each spouse’s contributions, economic circumstances, and misconduct in some cases.

What counts as “marital” is often the most contested question in a divorce. Separate property brought into the marriage can become marital if it was commingled with marital funds. Inheritances received during the marriage are generally separate — unless they were deposited into a joint account.

What this section will cover in depth

Articles in this pillar go deeper on:

• How to read a divorce petition
• What financial disclosure actually requires
• Equitable distribution: what’s yours and what’s not
• How alimony works — and when it applies
• Child support calculation in Florida
• What happens if your spouse won’t cooperate
• Mediation vs. litigation: when each makes sense
• Protecting yourself when you’re the lower-earning spouse
• Divorce when a business is involved
• What the final judgment actually says and what it means for your life

This is not legal advice for your specific situation. It is the kind of knowledge that helps you understand what you’re walking into — and what questions to ask the attorney you hire.