When a person decides that they want to end their marriage it can be incredibly difficult to wait out the period of time that it takes a divorce to be finalized. Depending upon the marital issues that the couple needs to resolve, a Florida divorce could take months to complete if spousal and child support, child custody, and property division matters are complex to sort out. While some divorces seem to resolve easily, others seem to drag out for lengthy periods of time.
However, all divorces, whether simple or complex, are subject to the state’s waiting period. That is to say, once a Florida divorce is filed the parties must wait at least twenty days before it is completed. Other states may have shorter or longer waiting periods, and therefore it is important that readers consult with family law attorneys to receive the most accurate information regarding this topic.
Further, the time it takes to complete a divorce may be extended if a person is not a resident of the jurisdiction in which they intend to file. In Florida, a person must have lived in the state for at least six months prior to filing their divorce petition. This, however, does not extend the divorce waiting period previously mentioned, but can cause delay when a person initiates the divorce process in the Florida courts.
The specific facts of a particular case will play into how long a divorce takes to resolve. While it may seem like working toward divorce is an endless process, many individuals find peace and success with marriage dissolution when they solicit the help of trusted family law professionals.