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Florida Uncontested Divorce Timeline: How Long It Takes
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Florida? The mutual-agreement cases we handle are commonly completed in approximately 30 to 45 days after filing.
The exact Florida uncontested divorce timeline depends on how quickly both spouses complete the requirements, whether the documents are accepted and how long the court takes to review the case.
Florida also has a general 20-day minimum waiting period after filing. However, 20 days is a legal minimum—not a guaranteed completion date.
How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in Florida?
An uncontested divorce generally moves faster because the spouses have already resolved every issue. The judge does not need to decide disputes involving property, debts, children or support.
For our mutual-agreement process, both spouses review and sign the required documents before the case is filed. This avoids the time normally required to formally serve a spouse and wait for a response.
Most of our qualifying cases follow this general timeline:
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Information collection | The spouses provide the information needed to prepare the appropriate documents. |
| Document preparation | We prepare the divorce documents according to the couple’s agreement and circumstances. |
| Review and signing | Both spouses review and sign the required forms. Remote online notarization is available. |
| Filing | The completed case is submitted to the Clerk of Court. |
| Waiting and court review | The applicable waiting period runs while the court processes and reviews the documents. |
| Final Judgment | The divorce becomes final when the judge signs the Final Judgment. |
The 30–45 day estimate begins after filing. The preparation period before filing depends largely on how quickly both spouses provide their information and complete the signing requirements.
Florida’s 20-Day Minimum Before a Final Judgment
The 20-day waiting period does not mean every divorce will be finalized on day 20. The court still needs time to process the filing, review the documents and address any missing information.
Official dissolution resources are available through the Florida Courts.
What Happens Before the Case Is Filed?
The court timeline does not begin until the case is filed. Before filing, several important steps must be completed:
- Both spouses must reach a complete agreement.
- The necessary personal, financial and family information must be collected.
- The correct divorce documents must be prepared.
- Both spouses must review the documents.
- All required signatures and notarizations must be completed.
- Parents must complete any required parenting-course and child-related requirements.
The case can usually be filed sooner when both spouses respond promptly and provide complete information.
Does a Divorce With Children Take Longer?
A mutual-agreement divorce with children can still be completed in approximately 30 to 45 days after filing through our process. However, parents must complete additional requirements before or during the case.
These generally include:
- A complete parenting plan
- A time-sharing schedule
- Child-support calculations based on the applicable Florida guidelines
- A Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act affidavit
- The required four-hour parenting course for both parents
- Any other forms required for the children’s circumstances
The children must currently live in Florida for our mutual-agreement process.
If the parents insist on using a child-support amount that differs from the guideline calculation, the case may need to be filed in the local courthouse where the children live and may follow a different timeline.
Read our guide to an uncontested divorce with children in Florida.
Does Property Make an Uncontested Divorce Take Longer?
Property does not automatically make a divorce contested or significantly extend the timeline. The important question is whether the spouses agree on how the property and debts will be handled.
Before filing, the written agreement may need to address:
- A house or other real estate
- Vehicles
- Bank and investment accounts
- Retirement accounts
- Businesses
- Credit cards, loans and other debts
- Deadlines for refinancing or selling property
Delays can occur when the spouses have not finalized these decisions or additional information is needed to prepare an accurate agreement.
Learn more about a mutual-agreement divorce involving property.
Can a No-Court-Appearance Process Save Time?
Qualifying mutual-agreement cases may be finalized without either spouse attending a traditional court hearing. Avoiding the need to schedule a hearing can remove one possible source of delay.
A no-hearing divorce is still filed with a Florida Clerk of Court and reviewed by a judge. The divorce becomes final when the judge signs the Final Judgment.
Visit our dedicated guide to a Florida uncontested divorce with no court appearance.
What Can Delay a Florida Uncontested Divorce?
Incomplete or Incorrect Information
Missing names, dates, financial information or child-related details can prevent the documents from being completed or filed.
Delays in Signing
A mutual-agreement case cannot move forward until both spouses review and sign the required documents. Delayed responses from either spouse extend the preparation period.
Parenting-Course Requirements
For the mutual-agreement cases we handle involving minor children, both parents must complete the required four-hour parenting course. Waiting to complete the course can delay the case.
Unresolved Property or Debt Terms
The spouses must decide who will keep each asset, who will pay each debt and what deadlines apply. Unresolved terms prevent the agreement from being completed.
Missing Residency Evidence
At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for the six months immediately before filing. The court must receive acceptable proof of residency.
Rejected Documents or Requested Corrections
If the clerk rejects a filing or the judge requests corrections or additional documents, the case cannot be finalized until the issue is resolved.
Court Processing Time
Processing time can vary depending on the court’s workload, staffing, holidays and the number of cases awaiting review.
How Can You Help Prevent Delays?
- Provide complete and accurate information.
- Respond promptly when additional information is requested.
- Make sure every term of the agreement has been decided.
- Complete the parenting course early when children are involved.
- Review documents carefully before signing.
- Complete signing and notarization promptly.
- Provide acceptable residency evidence.
- Keep copies of all submitted information and documents.
- Continue monitoring communications until the Final Judgment is entered.
What If a Spouse Stops Cooperating?
The 30–45 day estimate applies to mutual-agreement cases in which both spouses continue cooperating.
If one spouse refuses to sign, stops responding or disputes an important term, the case can no longer proceed through the same pre-filing mutual-agreement process.
If the spouse’s location is known, the case may need to proceed through divorce by summons. That process requires formal service and additional time.
If the spouse’s location is genuinely unknown after completing the required diligent search, divorce by publication may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Florida?
The mutual-agreement cases we handle are commonly completed in approximately 30 to 45 days after filing. Court processing times and requests for additional documents can affect the timeline.
Can a Florida divorce be completed in exactly 20 days?
Twenty days is generally the minimum waiting period after filing, not a guaranteed completion date. The court must still process and review the case before the judge can sign the Final Judgment.
When does the 30–45 day estimate begin?
It begins after the divorce case is filed. The time needed to gather information, prepare documents and obtain both spouses’ signatures occurs before filing.
How long does an uncontested divorce with children take?
Our qualifying mutual-agreement cases with children are also commonly completed in approximately 30 to 45 days after filing. Delays can occur if the parenting course, parenting plan, child-support calculation or other required information is incomplete.
How long does an uncontested divorce with property take?
A qualifying mutual-agreement case with property may also be completed in approximately 30 to 45 days after filing. The preparation period may take longer if the spouses have not finalized the division of property and debts.
Do both spouses have to sign before filing?
For our mutual-agreement process, yes. Both spouses sign the required documents before the case is filed.
Can an uncontested divorce be completed without a hearing?
Yes. Many qualifying mutual-agreement cases can be finalized without either spouse attending a traditional court hearing.
Can you guarantee that my divorce will be completed in 30–45 days?
No. The timeline is an estimate based on our typical mutual-agreement cases. The final timing is controlled by the court and depends on whether the documents are accepted and whether additional information is requested.
Learn Which Timeline Applies to Your Divorce
The 30–45 day timeline applies to qualifying mutual-agreement cases in which both spouses agree, sign the required documents and complete all applicable requirements.
Tell us about your situation. We will contact you to gather more details, determine whether the matter is within our scope and request any additional information needed.
Divorce in Florida Online has helped clients throughout all 67 Florida counties prepare their divorce documents for more than 15 years. We are document preparers, not attorneys, and do not provide legal advice or represent either spouse.
Questions? Call 800-474-1970.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Divorce in Florida Online is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
