The Divorce Process

The process of divorce in Florida starts by the filing of what's called a petition for dissolution of marriage; it's a document that really sets forth everything that you are requesting the court to do for you. This document is then served to the other party and there is a deadline for them to answer that - it's very important that this deadline is met. Typically there is only twenty days which to answer once your served with this petition.

Once you file your response, or your answer, then there is a discovery phase where certain documents must be passed back and forth between the parties. At this point, it can also be determined whether any experts need to be involved in your particular case. Following this, the course of the case will proceed to mediation.

If the case can settle at mediation - that's really an opportunity for each party to have their own input on what the settlement agreement is - an agreement is drafted up and presented to the court for the courts signature. It then becomes a formal judgment. If it doesn't settle in mediation, the case will then proceed to trial and a judge will then determine each party's rights and responsibilities as far as the court has jurisdiction. Contact my office and we can schedule a meeting to discuss you particular divorce case, and remember, if you have been served, you have a deadline which to answer that petition.