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How Long Will It Take to Finalize Your Orlando Divorce?

That depends on the facts and circumstances involved in your particular case. Even if you and your spouse agree on everything, you would still have to wait until 20 days after the date of filing of the petition for dissolution of marriage for your final hearing on your Orlando divorce.

One spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage and a financial affidavit. If there are children you also file a UCCJEA and Notice of Social Security Number.

Your spouse has 20 days to file an answer. If you and your spouse can agree to everything in a Marital Settlement Agreement and have no children, you can set your case for final hearing on the Orlando divorce after 20 days from the date of service. You can serve the proposed Marital Settlement Agreement on your spouse with the divorce pleadings. You may waive mandatory disclosure, but that is not a smart thing to do.

The smart thing to do is provide each other with mandatory disclosure. That way you both know all your assets and debts. That way no one gets more than their fair share. That way no one is stuck with more debt than they deserve.

Once you provide each other with mandatory disclosure, if there are no kids, and you have a signed Marital Settlement agreement, you can set the case for final hearing. In Lake County, Seminole County, and Volusia County, if you have attorneys, you can mail in the paperwork for the final judgment to the judge; and do not have to go to the courthouse in person for a final hearing on your dissolution of marriage. In Orange County, you must appear in person at the courthouse and go before the judge for the final hearing on your Orlando divorce. You should be able to complete the above tasks in about a month or two months. That all depends on how well you do at producing all the documents needed for mandatory disclosure.

If you have children, you and your spouse must do the above plus complete the following: a parenting plan, a parenting course and child support guideline worksheet before you can finalize the divorce.

If you must attend mediation in order to settle your case, then your case will probably take 6 months, or longer to resolve. If you have to go trial on your case, your case could take up to a year or more time before you are divorced.

If you have questions regarding the above information, you may want to contact Ann Marie Gilden, Esquire of Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, PA at 407-732-7620 regarding an initial consultation to answer further questions.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney client privilege.