The Florida divorce timeline: step by step, with real numbers The Florida divorce timeline: step by step, with real numbers

Six months of Florida residency by at least one spouse, provable by license, ID, or witness. File in the circuit court where you last lived together as spouses (or where the respondent resides).

The petition for dissolution opens the case; the respondent has 20 days to answer after service, typically adding a counterpetition. With children, both parents' parenting-course clocks start now — finish early, since the judgment waits for it.

Florida's Rule 12.285 requires both parties to exchange financial affidavits and a defined document package on a rule-driven schedule — within 45 days of service for most items. No waiting for requests; the rulebook is the request. Complex estates layer discovery on top: subpoenas, depositions, valuations. This is where Florida cases get won early or lost slowly.

Where the interim can't run on agreement: temporary time-sharing, support, alimony, exclusive use of the home, and interim fee awards to keep both sides lawyered. Temporary orders can sometimes shadow final outcomes — treat the hearing like it matters, because it does.

The elastic stage — business valuations, practice appraisals, equity comp analysis, classification fights over commingling and appreciation. Complex-estate mechanics: Florida high-asset divorce.

Nearly every Florida circuit requires mediation before a contested final hearing. Most cases end here, as signed marital settlement agreements. Arrive prepared or arrive to lose: mediation in Florida.

What survives mediation gets tried to a judge, on dockets that can put final hearings months out. The final judgment dissolves the marriage and orders everything else — then execution: QDROs, deeds, refinances, beneficiary updates (estate planning and divorce in Florida).

Brown Carrington builds the Florida case calendar at engagement — disclosure deadlines, valuation lead times, the mediation date — and manages to it.