In Florida, the divorce process will be finalized once the court has approved your Final Judgment. This usually happens about 30 days after both parties have signed their settlement agreement as a result of mediation.
The mediator is responsible for submitting the paperwork to the court clerk’s office and then filing it with the court. Once filed, a hearing is scheduled with a judge. During the hearing, the judge will review the settlement agreement and make sure that it meets all legal requirements. If everything is in order, the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage is signed by the judge and returned to both parties.
Once you receive your Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, you must wait 20 days before the divorce is official. This is known as the “cooling off” period. After this time, you are officially divorced and no longer married in the eyes of the law.
It’s important to remember that although your divorce may be final after the cooling-off period, there may still be other steps needed to finalize your split. These may include child custody and support agreements, alimony payments, dividing marital assets or debts, and filing any necessary paperwork with the courts. It’s a good idea to speak to an attorney if you need help navigating the post-mediation process.
In summary, a divorce in Florida is generally finalized about 50 days after mediation ends when both parties have signed the settlement agreement. There is a 20-day cooling-off period between signing and becoming officially divorced, as well as any additional steps that may need to be taken to finalize the divorce. The time it takes to go from your decision to divorce to being divorced varies from case to case. It can happen in days or it can take a year or more depending on your circumstances. Your attorney can help you make the process as efficient as possible.
