Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer & Family Law Attorney
Quick Answer
How long does a divorce take in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Florida law fixes the floor, not the ceiling. Under Fla. Stat. § 61.19 no final judgment of dissolution may be entered until at least 20 days have elapsed from the filing of the original petition, absent a showing of injustice, and § 61.021 requires that “one of the parties to the marriage must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition.” A fully uncontested Fort Lauderdale case is commonly finalized within roughly four to eight weeks of filing. Contested cases in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit usually run several months to more than a year, because equitable distribution under § 61.075, alimony under § 61.08, and time-sharing under § 61.13 each have to be settled or tried.
Fort Lauderdale divorces often involve waterfront homes, yachting and marina assets, business interests, and substantial marital estates. Pazos Law Group represents Broward County clients in divorce, child custody, and complex family law matters.
How long does a divorce take in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Twenty days, minimum. Fla. Stat. § 61.19 states that no final judgment of dissolution may be entered until at least 20 days have elapsed from the filing of the original petition, and the court may shorten that only on a showing of injustice. The 6-month residency condition in § 61.021 must already be satisfied on the filing date.
A Fort Lauderdale dissolution in which both spouses sign a settlement agreement generally reaches final judgment four to eight weeks after filing. Add a disputed § 61.08 claim, a § 61.13 parenting plan, or marine-industry businesses, documented vessels, and waterfront homes that has to be appraised, and the realistic window in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit widens to eight to eighteen months.
How much does a divorce cost in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
The Broward County Clerk of Courts publishes the current dissolution of marriage filing fee and related charges on its own fee schedule rather than in the statutes; check the clerk’s filing fee schedule before you budget, because the clerk revises it.
Attorney’s fees are the larger number and they vary by complexity. As illustrative flat-fee ranges, an uncontested case with no minor children commonly runs $1,000–$2,500 and an uncontested case with minor children $1,500–$3,500. Contested Fort Lauderdale matters are normally handled on an initial retainer in the $5,000–$15,000 range drawn down against hourly billing; unused retainer is refundable. Where marine-industry businesses, documented vessels, and waterfront homes are involved, appraisal and forensic accounting costs sit on top of that.
Fla. Stat. § 61.16 lets the court order one spouse to pay the other’s fees and suit money after considering need and ability to pay, together with the broader factors the Florida Supreme Court identified in Rosen v. Rosen. A fee award under § 61.16 is discretionary, not automatic.
Where do I file for divorce in Broward County, Florida?
You file in the circuit court, not a city court. For Fort Lauderdale that means the Family Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (17th), with the Broward County Clerk of Courts accepting the petition at the Broward County Judicial Complex, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. All filings go through the statewide e-filing portal.
The petition must establish the § 61.021 residency condition — 6 months of Florida residency by one party before filing — and § 61.052(2) requires corroboration of it. Once filed, § 61.19 starts the 20-day clock before a final judgment can be entered. The Florida State Courts System maintains a general overview of Florida family courts.
Who can file in Fort Lauderdale under Fla. Stat. § 61.021?
Under Fla. Stat. § 61.021, “one of the parties to the marriage must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition.” Residence means physical presence with intent to remain; a Fort Lauderdale address alone will not carry it if the spouse actually lives elsewhere. Corroboration is required by § 61.052(2). Meeting § 61.021 gives the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit power to dissolve the marriage — personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state spouse for support and property is a separate question.
How is property divided under Fla. Stat. § 61.075?
The governing text is Fla. Stat. § 61.075(1): the court “must begin with the premise that the distribution should be equal,” unless justification for an unequal distribution is shown. In Fort Lauderdale, where the estate frequently includes marine-industry businesses, documented vessels, and waterfront homes, the practical questions are what is marital, what it is worth, and as of when.
Section § 61.075(6)(b) excludes premarital property, gifts, and inheritances. Section § 61.075(6)(a)1.b pulls back in any enhancement in value attributable to marital effort or marital funds. Section § 61.075(7) sets the valuation date, and § 61.076 governs distribution of retirement plans. The Florida Legislature publishes the full section.
How are retirement accounts and pensions actually divided?
Fla. Stat. § 61.076 governs the distribution of retirement plans on dissolution, and § 61.075(6)(a)1.e makes vested and nonvested retirement benefits accrued during the marriage marital property. In practice the marital share of a 401(k), IRA, or defined-benefit pension is identified, valued as of the § 61.075(7) date, and transferred by a qualified domestic relations order or equivalent plan-specific instrument. Fort Lauderdale households with long careers and employer plans should expect the QDRO to be drafted and entered as a separate step after the final judgment.
Is time-sharing presumed equal in Florida since July 1, 2023?
Since 1 July 2023 the answer is yes, subject to proof. Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)1. creates a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing is in the child’s best interests, rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence. In practice that shifted the burden in Fort Lauderdale cases: the parent seeking a majority schedule now has to justify it against the presumption, using the § 61.13(3) best-interest factors. The parenting plan and the § 61.30 child support calculation are decided together, because overnights drive both.
How is child support calculated under Fla. Stat. § 61.30?
Child support in Fort Lauderdale is set by the guidelines in Fla. Stat. § 61.30. The calculation takes both parents’ net incomes, applies the statutory schedule, allocates the result proportionally, and adds health insurance premiums and child care. Deviations beyond 5 percent require written findings.
Section § 61.30(11)(b)8. supplies the threshold that changes the math: a parent exercising at least 20 percent of the annual overnights has a “substantial amount of time” with the child, and the gross-up formula applies. Income is broadly defined and includes bonuses, commissions, and self-employment earnings — relevant wherever marine-industry businesses, documented vessels, and waterfront homes are in play.
Is mediation required before a contested hearing in Fort Lauderdale?
Effectively, yes. Under Fla. Stat. § 44.102 a court may order the parties to mediation, and § 61.183 applies that authority to contested family matters — property, support, and parenting. Before the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit will give a Fort Lauderdale case a contested final hearing, the parties will ordinarily have to certify that mediation was attempted and impassed.
Confidentiality is what makes it work. Fla. Stat. § 44.405 creates a privilege covering mediation communications, with defined statutory exceptions, so a position taken to settle cannot be used as an admission at trial. Anything the parties do sign at mediation is enforceable.
What kinds of alimony can a court award under Fla. Stat. § 61.08?
Since the 2023 amendments, Fla. Stat. § 61.08 recognizes temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony, and permanent alimony has been eliminated. The court must find need and ability to pay before awarding anything, and must make written findings on the type awarded and why.
Section § 61.08(8) caps durational alimony by reference to the length of the marriage, which gives Fort Lauderdale parties a far more predictable range than the pre-2023 law did. Alimony and equitable distribution under § 61.075 interact: an unequal distribution can reduce or eliminate a support claim, and the two are usually negotiated together.
Statutory citations link to the official text published by the Florida Legislature. General information about Florida family courts is published by the Florida State Courts System. This page is general information about Florida law, not legal advice for your case.
Divorce in Fort Lauderdale: An Overview
Looking for a Fort Lauderdale family law attorney? Pazos Law Group represents Fort Lauderdale families in divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, paternity, and post-judgment modifications. Fort Lauderdale is the seat of Broward County and a center for finance, marine industries, and corporate executives. Divorces in Fort Lauderdale frequently feature waterfront properties, yacht and marina assets, business ownership, and complex compensation structures common to corporate and finance professionals.
Why Local Experience Matters
Fort Lauderdale cases often turn on valuation of substantial homes and unique personal property, careful handling of business interests, and parenting plans that work across the realities of executive schedules.
Family Law Services for Fort Lauderdale Residents
Pazos Law Group represents Fort Lauderdale clients in the full range of family law matters:
- Divorce — contested and uncontested dissolution of marriage under Florida law.
- High-Net-Worth Divorce — complex marital estates involving businesses, real estate, equity compensation, and international assets.
Where Your Case Is Heard
Fort Lauderdale divorces are heard in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Family Division, at the Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale.
About Pazos Law Group
Pazos Law Group is a South Florida family law firm founded by Nadia Pazos, who has practiced since 2005 and is licensed in both Florida and New York. Nadia holds the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell — Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating — and by Avvo Clients’ Choice. The firm serves clients in English and Spanish throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Specific Considerations for Fort Lauderdale Divorces
Marine industry, yachts, and the Intracoastal
Fort Lauderdale is the “Yachting Capital of the World” with the second-largest superyacht industry in the United States after only the West Coast. Divorces in Fort Lauderdale commonly involve vessels of substantial value (recreational sportfishers to mega-yachts), marina memberships and slip rights, dock leases on the Intracoastal Waterway, charter-business interests, and marine industry employment (brokers, captains, marine engineers, yacht designers). Vessels acquired during the marriage are marital property under Fla. Stat. § 61.075; valuation requires specialized marine appraisers.
Within Fort Lauderdale
Divorces commonly involve residents of communities such as Las Olas Isles, Rio Vista, Bay Colony, Coral Ridge, Coral Ridge Country Club, Harbor Beach, Idlewyld, Sunrise Key, Sailboat Bend, Victoria Park, Tarpon River, and the high-rise corridors along Las Olas Boulevard and along the New River. Waterfront property issues — submerged-land leases granted by the Florida DEP, dock permits, riparian rights — routinely appear in division of the marital estate.
Main Broward Courthouse
Fort Lauderdale family law matters are heard at the main Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale — the seat of the 17th Judicial Circuit. The main courthouse handles all family law matters including dissolution petitions under Fla. Stat. § 61.052, parenting plan modifications under Fla. Stat. § 61.13, alimony under Fla. Stat. § 61.08, and post-judgment enforcement. The Broward County Clerk of Courts also operates a Self-Help Family Court Service Center for pro se litigants.
Initial case management conferences and uncontested final hearings are commonly assigned to general magistrates under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.490. Magistrate recommendations are subject to exception within 10 days. The 17th Judicial Circuit operates one of Florida’s most active mediation programs under Fla. Stat. § 44.102.
International community
Fort Lauderdale’s international community — Brazilian, Argentine, Italian, British, German residents are common — produces divorces with foreign assets, dual citizenships, and child custody questions across borders. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980) governs cross-border parenting disputes between signatory countries. FBAR and FATCA disclosures apply to foreign accounts.
Equity compensation and corporate executives
Fort Lauderdale has a substantial concentration of corporate headquarters and financial services. Executives often hold equity compensation (RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, deferred-comp plans). The marital portion is calculated using the time-rule fraction (Jensen v. Jensen, 824 So. 2d 315 (Fla. 1st DCA 2002)). Federal tax treatment under IRC §§ 83, 409A, and 422 affects valuation timing.
Faster, lower-cost options in Fort Lauderdale: if you and your spouse agree on the major issues, an uncontested divorce or a predictable flat-fee divorce is usually the fastest, least expensive path for Fort Lauderdale families.
What Our Clients Say
★★★★★“After consultations at other law firms, I knew immediately I wanted to go with Nadia. Not only was I made to feel so comfortable during the worst time of my life, but I was always kept informed. She truly cares about achieving the best.”
— Tracy Putter, Google Review
★★★★★“Nadia and her team were a pleasure to work with, especially during tough times. They managed to navigate some sticky situations with creativity and delivered the best results I could have hoped for. I highly recommend Pazos Law Group.”
— Brian Coolidge, Google Review
★★★★★“My divorce was really complex and as soon as I met Nadia and I explained my case, I knew that I had to go with her, not only because she is very professional but also because she has an excellent team.”
— Anayda Frisneda, Google Review
Reviews reflect the experiences of individual clients. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Fort Lauderdale divorce cases heard?
Fort Lauderdale and all Broward County divorce cases are heard in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida at the Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale.
Are yachts and waterfront properties marital assets?
Vessels, marina rights, and waterfront properties acquired during marriage are generally marital assets subject to equitable distribution. Each requires careful valuation and consideration of carrying costs, maintenance obligations, and titling.
Can I divorce in Florida if my spouse lives in another state?
Yes, if you have lived in Florida for the six months before filing. Florida can dissolve the marriage based on your residency. Jurisdiction over property, support, and children outside Florida may require additional analysis.
Do you handle complex, high-asset divorces in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Many Fort Lauderdale divorces involve complex asset division — yachts, vessels and waterfront property, closely held marine and hospitality businesses, executive and equity compensation, and international assets. These cases often need vessel and business valuation, forensic accounting, and marital/non-marital tracing under Fla. Stat. § 61.075. See our high-net-worth divorce practice for how complex Fort Lauderdale estates are divided.
How much does a divorce cost in Fort Lauderdale?
Beyond the court's filing fee, the total cost depends primarily on whether your divorce is uncontested or contested. An uncontested divorce, where both spouses agree on all terms, is significantly less expensive. Contested cases involving disputes over assets, support, or time-sharing cost more because they require negotiation, discovery, and sometimes trial.
How long does a divorce take in Florida?
Florida law requires a minimum 20-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a divorce can be finalized (Fla. Stat. § 61.19). A fully uncontested divorce can conclude in roughly four to five weeks. Contested cases typically take several months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the issues and the court's calendar.
Will I lose my house in the divorce?
The marital home is subject to equitable distribution under Fla. Stat. § 61.075. "Equitable" means fair, which is not automatically a 50/50 split. Common outcomes include one spouse buying out the other's share, selling the home and dividing the proceeds, or deferring the sale (often when minor children remain in the home). A home owned before the marriage may be partly or fully non-marital.
Who gets custody of the children in Florida?
Florida uses the terms "time-sharing" and "parental responsibility" rather than "custody." Courts decide based on the best interests of the child under Fla. Stat. § 61.13. Since 2023, Florida law applies a rebuttable presumption that equal (50/50) time-sharing is in the best interest of the child, which a parent can overcome with evidence.
Request a Confidential Consultation in Fort Lauderdale
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Also Serving Broward County
Pazos Law Group represents clients throughout Broward County. Other locations we serve:
- Davie Divorce Attorney
- Hollywood Divorce Attorney
- Miramar Divorce Attorney
- Pembroke Pines Divorce Attorney
- Plantation Divorce Attorney
Related Reading
- Fort Lauderdale Prenuptial Agreement Attorney
- How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Florida in 2026?
- How Long Does a Divorce Take in Miami-Dade?
- Florida Alimony: The 4 Types After 2023 Reform
- Las Olas divorce representation — filing, negotiation and trial work for local families.
- filing when your spouse refuses to sign — Florida does not require both spouses to agree to end a marriage.
- how protective injunctions work in Florida — filing, service and the effect on a pending divorce.
- why Florida has no legal separation — and the tools couples use instead.
Divorce in Fort Lauderdale: Yachting Wealth & the Marine Economy
Fort Lauderdale — the “Yachting Capital of the World” and the seat of Broward County — mixes waterfront estates and downtown high-rises with a large marine and hospitality economy. Divorces here frequently involve vessels and waterfront property, which become significant marital assets to appraise and divide, and income tied to the marine, real-estate, and tourism industries that can be seasonal or partly commission-based. Business owners and professionals are common, making valuation and income normalization key. Because the county’s family court sits here, familiarity with local judges and mediators is a practical advantage. Fort Lauderdale cases are filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward County), at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.
Speak with a Fort Lauderdale Family Law Attorney
Pazos Law Group offers confidential consultations for Fort Lauderdale clients in divorce, child custody, and complex family law matters.
Schedule a Confidential ConsultationThe information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or sharing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Pazos Law Group. Florida law and the application of statutes change over time; please consult a licensed Florida attorney about your specific situation.