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Florida online divorce FAQ: the most common questions, answered

Residency, timelines, costs, children, property, alimony, and what 'uncontested' means in Florida, all in one place.

Florida divorce guide

By Aliette Hernandez Carolan, Esq.4 min read
Quick answer

Florida is a no-fault state where 'irretrievably broken' is the only ground typically used. At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for 6 months before filing. Most uncontested cases complete in 30 to 90 days, court calendar is beyond our control.

  • No-fault: 'irretrievably broken'
  • 6-month residency required
  • Court calendar is beyond our control
  • Equitable distribution of marital assets

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to live in Florida for 6 months before filing?
At least one spouse must have resided in Florida for the 6 months immediately preceding the petition. The other spouse may live anywhere.
Is Florida a no-fault divorce state?
Yes. Florida Statute 61.052 allows divorce on the ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken, with no need to prove wrongdoing by either spouse.
How much does a Florida divorce cost?
Florida parties on average between $15,000 and $30,000 to resolve their case, plus court costs and litigation expenses. Some people have much more. The Florida clerk's filing fees vary by circuit and case type. They are set by your county; when we file for you it's collected with your order and we pay the Clerk of Court directly, and if you file yourself you pay it at the portal. Document preparation through TheQuickDivorce.com is a flat fee, no hourly billing and pricing varies by plan.
Do you file my divorce with the court?
It depends on your plan. With Premium, we handle it end to end, we prepare your documents, coordinate signing and notarization, and file your case with the court for you. With our self-file plans (Core and Essential), we prepare everything and you file it yourself through Florida's online court portal. And if you start on a self-file plan and later decide you'd rather we take it from here, you can upgrade anytime.
Do my documents have to be signed and notarized?
Yes. Florida requires certain documents, like your marital settlement agreement and parenting plan, to be notarized, and others to be signed under penalty of perjury. You can sign and notarize your documents yourself, or add our done-for-you online signing & notarization service for one flat add-on fee that covers the notary and e-signing costs.
Does my spouse have to sign too?
For an uncontested divorce, yes, both of you sign the agreement and parenting plan. We make that simple: your spouse gets a secure invitation to review and sign their part online. Everything stays in one place so nothing gets lost between you.
What are the court filing fees, and who pays them?
Florida courts charge a fee to open a divorce case (it varies slightly by county). That fee goes to the court, not to us. On Premium, we collect it, plus the court portal's small, non-refundable e-filing convenience fee, and submit everything for you. On a self-file plan, you pay the court directly when you file. Either way, court fees are separate from your package price.
What does "filed" mean, am I divorced once it's filed?
Not quite, and this trips a lot of people up. "Filed" means your case is officially opened with the court. "Finalized" means a judge has signed your final judgment, that's the moment you're legally divorced. How long finalization takes depends on your county's court schedule, which is outside our control. We get your case prepared and filed quickly; the court sets the timeline from there.
Are you a law firm? Can you give me legal advice?
No. The Quick Divorce is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and we don't give legal advice or make recommendations about your case. We prepare your Florida divorce documents based on the information you provide. If you need legal advice, we always recommend speaking with a licensed attorney.
Can I file for divorce in Florida if my spouse lives in another state?
Yes, as long as at least one spouse has met the 6-month Florida residency requirement. Out-of-state respondents are served according to Florida service rules.
What if my spouse won't sign?
An uncontested divorce requires both spouses to agree. If one spouse refuses to participate, the case becomes contested and is outside the scope of The Quick Divorce; consult a Florida-licensed attorney.

Residency, grounds, and basics

Florida requires at least one spouse to have lived in Florida for the 6 months immediately preceding the petition. Florida is a no-fault state under Florida Statute 61.052, the petition need only allege that the marriage is irretrievably broken (or, in rare cases, mental incapacity of one spouse for at least 3 years).

Timelines

Most uncontested cases finalize between 30 and 90 days from filing. Simplified dissolutions often finish in 30 to 45 days. Contested cases routinely take 6 to 18 months. Court calendar is beyond our control.

Money, property, debts, and alimony

Florida divides marital property under equitable distribution (Florida Statute 61.075). Non-marital assets, those owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, generally stay with the original spouse. Alimony, when awarded, takes one of three forms: bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational. Permanent alimony was eliminated by the 2023 reform.

Children

When minor or dependent children are involved, Florida requires a parenting plan, a timesharing schedule, child support calculated under the statutory guidelines, and completion of a parent education course by both parents before the final judgment.

Costs

The Florida clerk's filing fee is set by your county; when we file for you it's collected with your order and we pay the Clerk of Court directly, and if you file yourself you pay it at the portal. Document preparation costs depend on the service used. The Quick Divorce charges flat fees and does not bill hourly.

Related Florida divorce guides

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Florida residents only. Information, not legal advice.

Sources

Links to the authoritative primary sources cited on this page.

The Quick Divorce is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or legal advice through this website. Our founder is a Florida-licensed family-law attorney, and she designed this platform, but she is not acting as your attorney when you use this site, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship with her or with The Quick Divorce. We do not select forms for your specific situation, do not advise you on your legal rights, and do not represent you in court. Communications you submit through this site are not protected by attorney-client privilege. If you need legal advice or representation, retain a Florida-licensed attorney directly.