United States · State guide
Divorce inFlorida.
Family law is state law. Here is how it works in Florida: the property rules, support, how to file, what it costs, who enforces it, and every FairWell guide and tool set up for Florida.
Official source: www.flcourts.gov
Property division
Equitable distribution state: marital property is divided fairly, which usually means roughly equally but the court can adjust based on statutory factors; separate property stays with the owner.
Residency and waiting period
Court: Circuit Court6 months residency; 20-day waiting period after filing. Simplified dissolution available with no children and agreed property.
Child support
Income shares model; mandatory financial disclosure rule; parenting course required for parents; 2023 alimony reform set durational limits.
Retirement accounts
Workplace retirement plans are divided by a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) prepared after the decree; IRAs are divided by the decree itself. A former spouse married ten years or more may claim Social Security on the ex's record.
Enforcement
Child support is enforced by Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Program under the federal Title IV-D program: income withholding, tax refund intercepts, license suspension and passport denial for arrears.
Health insurance
Divorce ends a former spouse's eligibility on an employer plan. COBRA continuation is available for up to 36 months at full cost; the ACA marketplace opens a special enrollment period.
Official guidelines and tools
The government and court sources for child support, spousal support, the family law statute and self-help. Use these to check any estimate, including ours.
Common questions
How is property divided in a Florida divorce?
Equitable distribution state: marital property is divided fairly, which usually means roughly equally but the court can adjust based on statutory factors; separate property stays with the owner.
How do I file for divorce in Florida?
6 months residency; 20-day waiting period after filing. Simplified dissolution available with no children and agreed property. File in the Circuit Court.
When does child support end in Florida?
Child support usually ends at 18, but can continue to 19 for a dependent child expected to graduate high school before 19. A court can order support past 18 for a child whose incapacity began before 18; college support is not required unless agreed.
What happens to property when unmarried couples separate in Florida?
Florida abolished common-law marriage for relationships starting after January 1, 1968, though valid common-law marriages formed before then are still recognized. Otherwise, unmarried partners are not covered by divorce property rules, and property generally belongs to whoever holds title, subject to any agreement between you.
How long do you need to live in Florida to file for divorce?
One spouse must have lived in Florida for 6 months before filing the petition for dissolution of marriage. Cases are filed in the circuit court.
Official help: Florida Courts: Family Court Self-Help Information. Rules change, so confirm with a family lawyer in Florida before you rely on them.
Read next
Guides for Florida
Filing for an uncontested divorce in the US
GuideWhat divorce costs in the US
GuideQDROs and retirement accounts
GuideDivorce and US taxes
GuideHealth insurance after divorce
GuideRelocation with children
GuideThe complete parenting plan guide
GuideYour separation date controls everything
GuideHidden assets: warning signs
GuideJoint debt at separation
GuideWhen your ex won't pay
GuideSeparating when there is abuse
Professionals
Family lawyers, mediators and coaches in Florida
Family lawyers
Listings marked Verified have been checked against the state bar directory. Each lawyer sets their own fees.
DirectoryMediators
Family mediators for parenting and financial issues. Listings marked Verified have been checked against their association.
DirectoryDivorce coaches and counselors
Decision support, communication and co-parenting help. What a coach does.
Are you a professional in Florida? List your practice.
Florida
Get organized in Florida
Guided questions for separation agreements, parenting plans and financial disclosure, linked to the official sources on this page and organized into a plain-language summary for a local family lawyer, who prepares the agreement and advises you.
Sources and further reading
This page is legal information, not legal advice. It summarizes how the process works in Florida so you can plan; the official sources above are where current fees, forms and deadlines live, and they are the final word if anything here differs. When you're ready, the assessment and FairWell's guided questions link to the rules for Florida; a local lawyer prepares any agreement and advises you before you sign.