Quick answer: Florida requires that one spouse has lived in the state for six months before the petition is filed. No final judgment can be entered until at least 20 days after filing, unless the court finds that injustice would result from the delay. Florida has no separation period.
This Florida divorce timeline calculator applies Fla. Stat. 61.021 and the 20-day delay in 61.19. Enter the date residence began and your planned filing date: it shows the earliest legal dates, nothing more. A real case takes longer, because the money and parenting issues have to be settled or tried.
Florida divorce timeline rules at a glance
| Rule | What Florida says |
|---|---|
| Residence | One party must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition (Fla. Stat. 61.021) |
| Proof of residence | Corroborated by a Florida driver license, voter registration card or identification card, or a third party’s testimony or affidavit (61.052(2)) |
| Delay after filing | No final judgment until at least 20 days have elapsed from the filing of the original petition, unless injustice would result (61.19) |
| Possible continuance | With a minor child, or if the breakdown is denied, the court may continue the case up to 3 months (61.052(2)(b)) |
| Ground | The marriage is irretrievably broken, or mental incapacity adjudicated at least 3 years (61.052(1)) |
| Separation period | None |
How does the Florida divorce timeline work?
- Residence and where to file. See Florida divorce residency and where to file.
- Agreement or dispute. See uncontested versus contested divorce in Florida.
- Grounds. See the grounds for divorce in Florida.
What does this divorce timeline calculator check?
The calculator adds six months to the date residence began and tells you whether your planned filing date is early; if it is, it uses the first valid filing date instead. It then adds 20 days to the filing date to show the earliest day a final judgment can be entered. It cannot say how long the court will take or whether it will shorten the delay. Support and custody questions that arise during the case are covered by the Florida alimony calculator and the Florida parenting time calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long must I live in Florida before filing for divorce?
One spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before the petition is filed.
Is there a waiting period for divorce in Florida?
At least 20 days must pass from the filing of the original petition before a final judgment, unless the court finds injustice would result.
Does Florida require a separation before divorce?
No. The ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, with no separation period.
Can a Florida divorce take longer than 20 days?
Yes. With a minor child, or if the other spouse denies the breakdown, the court may continue the case up to 3 months, and contested issues take longer.
Does the calculator tell me how long my Florida divorce will take?
No. It shows only the legal minimums; the real timeline depends on the court and on whether the spouses agree.