How Long Does A Contested Divorce Take In Broward County?

“How long is this going to take?” It’s one of the first things people ask once they realize their divorce won’t be a quick, amicable process. If you’re staring down a contested divorce in Broward County, you’re probably hoping for a number you can plan around. Unfortunately, the honest answer is that it depends.

What Makes a Divorce Contested in the First Place

A divorce becomes contested when spouses can’t agree on one or more major issues, such as property division, alimony, child support, or parenting arrangements. Once that happens, the case shifts from a relatively quick paperwork process to one that involves formal discovery, financial disclosures, possible mediation, and in some cases, a trial in front of a judge.

Florida law sets a baseline for every divorce, contested or not. Under Fla. Stat. § 61.19, no final judgment of dissolution can be entered until at least 20 days after the petition is filed. That 20-day window is just the floor, though. Contested cases almost always take much longer because of everything that has to happen before a judge will sign off.

The Stages That Add Up to Months

Once a petition is filed, the other spouse generally has 20 days after being served to file a response. If a counter-petition is filed, that can add another response period. From there, both spouses are typically required to exchange financial disclosures, which opens the door to further discovery such as document requests, depositions, or interrogatories if the case involves disputed assets or income.

If the spouses can’t reach an agreement, mediation usually comes next. Many Broward County cases settle here, which can shorten the overall timeline considerably. When mediation doesn’t resolve every issue, the case proceeds toward a trial setting, and that’s where court scheduling becomes a major factor. Broward County, like other busy South Florida circuits, can experience backlogs that push trial dates out further than couples expect.

So how long does all of this actually take? Contested divorces involving moderate disputes often take somewhere in the range of six months to a year, while cases involving significant assets, business valuations, or custody disagreements can stretch well beyond that. A lot depends on how cooperative both sides are willing to be and how complicated the finances and parenting issues turn out to be.

What You Can Do While Your Case Moves Forward

While a contested case is pending, temporary orders can address pressing issues like support or time-sharing so that day-to-day life doesn’t grind to a halt. Staying organized with financial records and responding promptly to deadlines can also help avoid unnecessary delays along the way. Are there steps you could be taking right now to keep your case on track?

Speak With a Fort Lauderdale Divorce Attorney About Your Timeline

Every contested divorce moves at its own pace, shaped by the issues in dispute and the court’s calendar. If you’re facing a contested divorce in Broward County, working with an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney can help you understand what to expect at each stage of your case. At the office of Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A., we guide clients throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County through every step of the contested divorce process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and talk through your specific situation.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099%2F0061%2FSections%2F0061.19.html