Florida Divorce Information and
FAQ
To obtain a dissolution of marriage, one of the parties to the marriage
must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition.61.021
Dissolution of marriage - Grounds
No judgment of dissolution of marriage shall be granted unless one of
the following facts appears, which shall be pleaded generally:
(a) The marriage is irretrievably broken.
(b) Mental incapacity of one of the parties.
Based on the evidence at the hearing, the court shall dispose of the
petition for dissolution of marriage when the petition is based on the
allegation that the marriage is irretrievably broken as follows:
(a) If there is no minor child of the marriage and if the responding
party does not deny that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court
shall enter a judgment of dissolution of the marriage if the court finds
that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
(b) When there is a minor child of the marriage, or when the responding
party denies that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court may:
1. Order either or both parties to consult with a marriage counselor,
psychologist, psychiatrist, minister, priest, rabbi, or any other person
deemed qualified by the court and acceptable to the party or parties; or
2. Continue the proceedings for a reasonable length of time not to
exceed 3 months, to enable the parties themselves to effect a
reconciliation; or
3. Take such other action as may be in the best interest of the parties
and the minor child of the marriage.
A judgment of dissolution of marriage shall result in each spouse
having the status of being single and unmarried. No judgment of
dissolution of marriage renders the child of the marriage a child born out
of wedlock. 61.052
Waiting Period No final judgment of dissolution of marriage may be
entered until at least 20 days have elapsed from the date of filing the
original petition for dissolution of marriage; but the court, on a showing
that injustice would result from this delay, may enter a final judgment of
dissolution of marriage at an earlier date. 61.19 Dissolution Questionaire
Upon filing for dissolution of marriage, the petitioner must complete and
file with the clerk of the circuit court an unsigned anonymous
informational questionnaire. For purposes of anonymity, completed
questionnaires must be kept in a separate file for later distribution by
the clerk to researchers from the Florida State University Center for
Marriage and Family. The actual questionnaire shall be formulated by
researchers from Florida State University who shall distribute them to the
clerk of the circuit court in each county. 61.043
Alimony pendente lite; suit money In every proceeding for dissolution
of the marriage, a party may claim alimony and suit money in the petition
or by motion, and if the petition is well founded, the court shall allow a
reasonable sum therefor. 61.071
Equitable distribution of marital assets and liabilities In a
proceeding for dissolution of marriage, the court shall set apart to each
spouse that spouse's nonmarital assets and liabilities, and in
distributing the marital assets and liabilities between the parties, the
court must begin with the premise that the distribution should be equal,
unless there is a justification for an unequal distribution. 61.075
Alimony In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, the court may grant
alimony to either party, which alimony may be rehabilitative or permanent
in nature. In any award of alimony, the court may order periodic payments
or payments in lump sum or both. The court may consider the adultery of
either spouse and the circumstances thereof in determining the amount of
alimony, if any, to be awarded.
In determining a proper award of alimony or maintenance, the court
shall consider all relevant factors necessary to do equity and justice
between the parties.
Rotating custody The court may order rotating custody if the court
finds that rotating custody will be in the best interest of the child.
61.121 Custody and support of children; visitation rights In a proceeding
for dissolution of marriage, the court may at any time order either or
both parents who owe a duty of support to a child to pay support in
accordance with the guidelines in s. 61.30.
The court shall order that the parental responsibility for a minor
child be shared by both parents unless the court finds that shared
parental responsibility would be detrimental to the child.
The court shall order "sole parental responsibility, with or
without visitation rights, to the other parent when it is in the best
interests of" the minor child. 61.13
Enforcement and modification of support, maintenance, or alimony
agreements or orders When the parties enter into an agreement, or when a
party is required by court order to make any payments for, or instead of,
support, maintenance, or alimony, and the circumstances or the financial
ability of either party changes or the child who is a beneficiary of an
agreement or court order reaches majority after the execution of the
agreement or the rendition of the order, either party may apply for an
order decreasing or increasing the amount of support, maintenance, or
alimony. When a court enters an order for the payment of alimony or child
support or both, the court shall make a finding of the obligor's imputed
or actual present ability to comply with the order. If the obligor
subsequently fails to pay alimony or support and a contempt hearing is
held, the original order of the court creates a presumption that the
obligor has the present ability to pay the alimony or support. At the
contempt hearing, the obligor shall have the burden of proof to show that
he or she lacks the ability to purge himself or herself from the contempt.
Mediation of certain contested issues In any proceeding in which the
issues of parental responsibility, primary residence, visitation, or
support of a child are contested, the court may refer the parties to
mediation. If an agreement is reached by the parties on the contested
issues, a consent order incorporating the agreement shall be prepared by
the mediator and submitted to the parties and their attorneys for review.
Upon approval by the parties, the consent order shall be reviewed by the
court and, if approved, entered. Thereafter, the consent order may be
enforced in the same manner as any other court order. 61.183
Entry of judgment of dissolution of marriage, delay period No final
judgment of dissolution of marriage may be entered until at least 20 days
have elapsed from the date of filing the original petition for dissolution
of marriage; but the court, on a showing that injustice would result from
this delay, may enter a final judgment of dissolution of marriage at an
earlier date. 61.19
Parenting course authorized; fees; required attendance; contempt All
parties to a dissolution of marriage proceeding with minor children or a
paternity action which involves issues of parental responsibility shall be
required to complete the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course
prior to the entry by the court of a final judgment. The court may excuse
a party from attending the parenting course for good cause. All parties
required to complete a parenting course under this section shall begin the
course as expeditiously as possible after filing for dissolution of
marriage and shall file proof of compliance with the court prior to the
entry of the final judgment.
All parties to a modification of a final judgment involving shared
parental responsibilities, custody, or visitation may be required to
complete a court-approved parenting course prior to the entry of an order
modifying the final judgment. 61.21
Child support guidelines; retroactive child support The child support
guideline amount presumptively establishes the amount the trier of fact
shall order as child support in an initial proceeding for such support or
in a proceeding for modification of an existing order for such support.
Each parent's percentage share of the child support need shall be
determined by dividing each parent's net income by the combined net
income. Each parent's actual dollar share of the child support need shall
be determined by multiplying the minimum child support need by each
parent's percentage share.
The court may adjust the minimum child support award, or either or both
parents' share of the minimum child support award, based upon any
consideration in order to achieve an equitable result.
Every petition for child support or for modification of child support
shall be accompanied by an affidavit which shows the party's income,
allowable deductions, and net income computed in accordance with this
section. The affidavit shall be served at the same time that the petition
is served.
In an initial determination of child support, whether in a paternity
action, dissolution of marriage action, or petition for support during the
marriage, the court has discretion to award child support retroactive to
the date when the parents did not reside together in the same household
with the child, not to exceed a period of 24 months preceding the filing
of the petition. 61.30
Appointment of guardian ad litem In an action for dissolution of
marriage, modification, parental responsibility, custody, or visitation,
if the court finds it is in the best interest of the child, the court may
appoint a guardian ad litem to act as next friend of the child,
investigator or evaluator, not as attorney or advocate. 61.401 A guardian
ad litem shall have the powers, privileges, and responsibilities to the
extent necessary to advance the best interest of the child, including, but
not limited to, investigating the allegations of the pleadings affecting
the child, and, after proper notice to interested parties to the
litigation and subject to conditions set by the court, may interview the
child. 61.403
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Alva Amelia City Amelia Island Amelia Village Anastasia Island Anna Maria
Anthony Apalachicola Apollo Beach Apopka Arcadia Archer Argyle Aripeka
Armstrong Astatula Astor Atlantic Beach Atlantis Auburndale Aventura Avon
Park Avon Park Air Force Base Avon Park Lakes Azalea Park Babson Park
Bagdad Baker Bal Harbour Baldwin Balm Barberville Barefoot Bay Barefoot
Beach Barry University Bartow Bascom Basinger Bay Harbor Islands Bay Pines
Bayonet Point Bayshore Gardens Bell Belle Glade Belle Isle Belleair
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Hills Big Pine Key Big Torch Key Biscayne Park Blountstown Blue Lagoon
Boca Grande Boca Raton Bokeelia Bonaventure Bonifay Bonita Beach Bonita
Springs Bostwick Bowling Green Boynton Beach Braden River Bradenton
Bradenton Beach Bradley Brandon Branford Brent Brickell Briny Breezes
Bristol Bronson Brooker Brooksville Broward Mall Bruce Bryant Bryceville
Buena Ventura Lakes Bunnell Bushnell C Gables Callahan Campbellton Canal
Point Canaveral Air Station Candler Cantonment Cape Canaveral Cape Coral
Cape Coral Central Cape Coral South Cape Haze Captiva Carl Fisher Carol
City Carrabelle Carrollwood Caryville Cassadaga Casselberry Cecil Field
Cedar Hammock Cedar Key Celebration Center Hill Centerhill Centerville
Century Champions Gate Chattahoochee Chiefland Chipley Choctaw Beach
Chokoloskee Christmas Chuluota Citra Citrus Ridge Citrus Springs City of
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Clermont Clewiston Cloud Lake Coco River Cocoa Cocoa Beach Coconut Creek
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Coral Gables Coral Gbls Coral Springs Cortez Cottondale Country Lakes
Crawfordville Crescent Beach Crescent City Crestview Cross City Cross
Creek Cross Key Crossings Crossroads Crystal Beach Crystal River Crystal
Springs Cudjoe Key Cutler Ridge Cypress Cypress Gardens Dade City Dania
Dania Beach Davenport Davie Davis Island Day Daytona Beach Daytona Beach
Shores De Bary De Land De Leon Springs Debary Deer Island Deerfield Beach
Defuniak Springs Deland Delray Beach Deltona Deltona Pines Destin Dinsmore
Disston Plaza Dixieland Doctors Inlet Dona Vista Dover Dowling Park Duck
Key Duette Duke Field AFS Dundee Dunedin Dunnellon Durant Eagle Lake
Earleton East Fort Myers East Lake East Palatka East Point East Rockland
Key Eastlake Weir Eastpoint Eastside Eaton Park Eatonville Eau Gallie Ebro
Edgar Edgewater Edgewood Eglin Eglin Air Force Base El Jobean El Portal
Elfers Elkton Ellenton Eloise Englewood Englewood Beach Enterprise Estero
Euclid Eustis Everglades City Everglades National Park Evinston Fairfield
Fanning Springs Fedhaven Felda Fellsmere Fern Park Fernandina Beach
Ferndale Fiesta Key Financial Plaza Fisher Island Flagler Beach Flamingo
Lodge Fleming Island Flemington Florahome Floral City Florence Villa
Florida A and M University Florida City Florida State University Forest
City Forest Hills Fort Jefferson National Monu Fort Lauderdale Fort McCoy
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Beach Fort White Fountain Freeport Frostproof Fruit Cove Fruitland Park
Fruitville Gables Gables by the Sea Gainesville Geneva Georgetown Gibsonia
Gibsonton Gifford Glen Ridge Glen Saint Mary Glenwood Golden Beach Golden
Gate Golden Isles Goldenrod Gonzalez Goodland Gordonville Gotha Goulds
Graceville Graham Grand Island Grand Ridge Grandin Grant Grassy Key Green
Cove Springs Greenacres Greensboro Greenville Greenwood Grenelefe Gretna
Grove City Groveland Gulf Breeze Gulf Hammock Gulf Stream Gulfport Haines
City Haines Creek Haines Cty Hallandale Hallandale Beach Hamilton Hampton
Harmony Hastings Havana Haverhill Hawthorne Heathrow Hernando Hernando
Beach Hialeah Hialeah Gardens Hialeah Lakes Hiawassee Hibiscus High
Springs Highland Beach Highland City Highland Park Hillcrest Hilliard
Hillsboro Beach Hobe Sound Holder Holiday Hollister Holly Hill Hollywood
Holmes Beach Holt Homeland Homestead Homestead Air Force Base Homosassa
Homosassa Springs Horseshoe Beach Hosford Howey in the Hills Hudson
Hurlburt Field Hutchinson Island Hypoluxo Immokalee Indialantic Indian
Creek Indian Creek Village Indian Harbor Beach Indian Lake Estates Indian
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Intercession City Interlachen Inverness Inverrary Irvine Islamorada Island
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Jan Phyl Village Jasper Jay Jennings Jensen Beach Johns Pass Jonesville
Juno Beach Jupiter Jupiter Inlet Colony Kathleen Kenansville Kendall
Kennedy Space Center Kenneth City Key Biscayne Key Colony Beach Key Largo
Key West Key West Naval Air Station Keystone Heights Keystone Islands
Killarney Kinard Kissimmee La Belle La Crosse Labelle Lacoochee Lady Lake
Lake Alfred Lake Buena Vista Lake Butler Lake Carroll Lake City Lake
Clarke Shores Lake Como Lake Forest Lake Garfield Lake Geneva Lake
Hamilton Lake Harbor Lake Helen Lake Mary Lake Monroe Lake Panasoffkee
Lake Park Lake Placid Lake Suzy Lake Wales Lake Worth Lakeland Lakeshore
Lakewood Park Lakewood Ranch Lamont Lanark Village Land O Lakes Land O'
Lakes Lantana Largo Lauder Hill Lauderdale by the Sea Lauderdale Isles
Lauderdale Lakes Lauderhill Laurel Laurel Hill Lawtey Layton Lazy Lake
Ldhl Lecanto Lee Leesburg Lehigh Lehigh Acres Leisure City Lighthouse
Point Lithia Little Torch Key Live Oak Lloyd Lochloosa Lockhart Long Boat
Key Long Key Longboat Key Longwood Lorida Loughman Lowell Lower Matecumbe
Key Lower Sugarloaf Key Loxahatchee Ludlam Lulu Lutz Lynn Haven Mac Dill
Air Force Base Macclenny Macdill Macdill Air Force Base Madeira Beach
Madison Maimi Lakes Maitland Malabar Malone Manalapan Manasota Mango
Mangonia Park Marathon Marathon Shores Marco Island Margate Marianna
Maricamp Mary Esther Masaryktown Mascotte Matecumbe Key Matlacha Matlacha
Isles Maxville Mayo Mayport Mayport Naval Station Mc Alpin Mc Dill Mc Dill
Air Force Base Mc Intosh McAlpin McDavid McDill McDill Air Force Base
McIntosh Medley Melbourne Melbourne Beach Melbourne Village Melrose
Melrose Vista Merritt Island Metro Market Mexico Beach Miami Miami Beach
Miami Gardens Miami Lakes Miami Shores Miami Springs Micanopy Micco
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Milligan Milton Mims Minneola Miramar Miramar Beach Miromar Lakes Modello
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Beach Gardens Palm Beach Shores Palm City Palm Coast Palm Harbor Palm
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Palmetto Panacea Panama City Panama City Beach Parkland Parrish Pasadena
Pass A Grille Beach Patrick Air Force Base Paxton Pembroke Lakes Pembroke
Park Pembroke Pines Penney Farms Pensacola Pensacola Beach Perdido Key
Perrine Perry Pierson Pine Castle Pine Hills Pinecastle Pinecraft
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Plantation Key Plymouth Poinciana Point Washington Polk City Pomona Park
Pompano Beach Ponce de Leon Ponce Inlet Ponte Vedra Ponte Vedra Beach Port
Canaveral Port Charlotte Port Everglades Port Orange Port Richey Port
Saint Joe Port Saint John Port Saint Lucie Port Salerno Princeton Progress
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Ramrod Key Red Bay Reddick Redington Beach Redington Shores Redland
Richland Richmond Heights Ridge Manor Ridge Manor Estates River Ranch
Riverview Riviera Beach Rockledge Rolling Acres Roseland Rosemary Beach
Rotonda West Royal Palm Beach Royal Plm Beach Rubonia Ruskin Safety Harbor
Saint Augustine Saint Cloud Saint George Island Saint James City Saint Leo
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Petersburg Beach Saint Teresa Salem Salt Springs Samoset San Antonio San
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Rosa Beach Sarasota Sarasota Square Satellite Beach Satsuma Scottsmoor Sea
Ranch Lakes Sebastian Sebring Seffner Seminole Seminole Heights Seven
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Sharpes Sidell Siesta Key Silver Springs Singer Island Snapper Creek
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Daytona Beach South Florida South Fort Myers South Lake Wales South Miami
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Ranches Sparr Spring Hill Starke Steinhatchee Stetson University Stock
Island Stuart Sugarloaf Sugarloaf Key Sugarloaf Shores Sulphur Springs
Sumatra Summerfield Summerland Key Sumterville Sun City Sun City Center
Sunny Hills Sunny Isles Sunny Isles Beach Sunrise Sunset Sunset Island
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Sydney Taft Tallahassee Tallevast Tamarac Tampa Tampa Palms Tangerine
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Tice Tierra Verde Tiger Point Titusville Town N Cntry Town N Country
Trailer Estates Treasure Island Trenton Trilby Trinity Tropic Tuscawilla
Twin Lake Tyndall Air Force Base Uleta Umatilla Union Park University
University of Miami University of South Florida University of Tampa
University of West Florida University Park Upper Key Largo Upper Matecumbe
Key Upper Sugarloaf Key Valkaria Valparaiso Valrico Vanderbilt Beach
Venetian Islands Venetian Shores Venice Ventura Venus Vernon Vero Beach
Viera Village of Golf Village of Palm Springs Virginia Gardens Wabasso
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