Want the shortest timeline for your case? The fastest divorces are the ones that qualify for Florida's simplest path. Our free 3-minute eligibility check tells you which route you're on and what to expect.
The short answer
Most amicable, uncontested Florida divorces finalize in roughly 4 to 8 weeks after filing. A very clean simplified dissolution can be at the quicker end; cases with children run a little longer. A contested divorce — where you fight over property, support, or parenting — commonly takes 6 to 18 months or more. The single biggest factor is whether you agree.
The one deadline nobody can skip: the 20-day waiting period
Florida law bars a judge from finalizing a divorce until at least 20 days have passed since the petition was filed. It's a mandatory cooling-off period, and it's why no honest service can promise a "next-day" Florida divorce. A court can shorten it only in rare cases where the delay itself would cause injustice, so plan on the full 20 days. This waiting period sets the floor for every Florida divorce, no matter how simple.
The clock before the clock: residency
Before the timeline even starts, at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for the six months before filing. If you've just moved to Florida, your earliest possible filing date is six months after establishing residency. Meet it already and this costs you nothing; if not, no service can file for you sooner.
The week-by-week timeline of an uncontested divorce
Day 0 — File the petition
Case opens with the Clerk of Court; pay the ~$408 filing fee
Days 1–20 — The waiting period runs
Spouse signs the waiver; financial affidavits exchanged; parent course if kids
~Week 3 — Waiting period ends
The earliest date a judge is allowed to finalize
Weeks 4–8 — Final judgment
Brief hearing or paperwork-only, depending on your county — you're divorced
Cases with children typically add a couple of weeks (parent course + extra forms).
Notice how much happens during the 20-day window rather than after it: a well-prepared couple uses those three weeks to get the waiver signed and disclosures done, so the case is ready to finalize the moment the waiting period clears. That overlap is why an organized uncontested divorce lands near the four-week end rather than dragging on.
Uncontested vs. contested: the timelines compared
Simplified dissolution
Regular uncontested
Contested
The jump from weeks to months isn't the court being slow — it's the negotiation, discovery, mediation, and hearings that a contested case requires. For more on getting to the finish line quickly, see our guide to a fast divorce in Florida.
How children affect the timeline
Having minor children usually adds a couple of weeks rather than months, as long as you agree on parenting. The extra time comes from two things: the additional documents (a parenting plan and child support worksheet), and the mandatory parenting course both parents must finish before the judge will finalize. The course is the sneaky delay — start it early so it's done well before your waiting period ends. See filing for divorce with a child for the full picture.
What speeds it up or slows it down
Speeds it up: agreeing on everything up front, a spouse who signs the waiver (skipping formal service), correct paperwork that isn't rejected, e-filing, and finishing the parenting course early.
Slows it down: rejected or incomplete forms (the number-one avoidable delay), serving an uncooperative spouse, any disagreement that turns the case contested, and a busy court's hearing schedule. The one you fully control is accuracy — a bounced packet can cost you weeks. That's why Amicably prepares and reviews your complete Florida divorce packet for a flat $99, so it's right the first time and your case moves at the speed the law allows. Learn how to file.
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Check if you qualifyFrequently asked questions
How long does a divorce take in Florida?
An uncontested Florida divorce is usually finalized in about 4 to 8 weeks, because the state requires a mandatory 20-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a judge can enter the final judgment. A contested divorce can take anywhere from several months to more than a year.
What is the 20-day waiting period in Florida?
Florida law requires at least 20 days to pass between filing the petition for dissolution of marriage and the earliest date a judge can finalize the divorce. A court may shorten it only in limited circumstances where the delay would cause injustice, so you should plan on the full 20 days.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Florida?
Most uncontested cases finish in about 4 to 8 weeks once the paperwork is filed correctly. A simplified dissolution (no children, full agreement) can be at the faster end, while cases with children usually add a couple of weeks for the parenting course and extra forms.
How long do I have to live in Florida before filing for divorce?
At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for the six months immediately before filing the petition. This residency requirement must be met before the case can proceed, and it's proven with a Florida driver's license, ID, or voter registration.
What is the fastest way to get divorced in Florida?
Agree on everything, file the simplest route you qualify for, and submit correct, complete paperwork the first time so nothing bounces. Couples who qualify for a simplified dissolution often move fastest, though every case is still subject to the mandatory 20-day waiting period.
Can a Florida divorce be finalized in less than a month?
Rarely. Because of the mandatory 20-day waiting period plus the time to file, notify your spouse, and schedule finalization, most cases take at least four weeks. Anyone promising a divorce in a few days cannot bypass the statutory waiting period.
How long does a contested divorce take in Florida?
A contested Florida divorce commonly takes 6 to 18 months or more, driven by negotiation, financial discovery, mediation, and court hearings. The more issues you and your spouse dispute, the longer it runs — settling the terms is what collapses the timeline back to weeks.
Official sources
Florida Statutes § 61.19 — Entry of judgment (20-day waiting period)
Florida Statutes § 61.021 — Residence requirement
Florida Courts — Dissolution of Marriage resources
Reviewed by the Amicably document team
Amicably is a Florida registered legal document preparation service. We prepare uncontested Florida divorce packets from the official Florida Supreme Court–approved family law forms, reviewed for accuracy so cases move at the fastest speed the law allows. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice.