Hollywood Divorce Lawyer & Family Law Attorney
Quick Answer
How long does a divorce take in Hollywood, Florida?
The statutory minimum is 20 days. Fla. Stat. § 61.19 bars entry of a final judgment of dissolution — absent a showing of injustice — until at least 20 days have passed from the filing of the original petition, and § 61.021 conditions filing on the fact that “one of the parties to the marriage must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition.” In practice an agreed Hollywood dissolution is entered about four to eight weeks after filing. A contested case in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit ordinarily takes eight months to eighteen months, driven by discovery, valuation under § 61.075(7), and the court’s trial calendar.
Hollywood, Florida is a diverse Broward County beach community with a mix of professionals, families, and entrepreneurs. Pazos Law Group represents Hollywood residents in divorce and family law matters with practical, results-focused counsel.
How long does a divorce take in Hollywood, 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 Hollywood 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 waterfront homes and military and veteran households with service-connected pay and retirement 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 Hollywood, 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 Hollywood 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 waterfront homes and military and veteran households with service-connected pay and retirement 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?
Hollywood dissolutions are filed with the Broward County Clerk of Courts and heard in the Family Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (17th), which sits at the Broward County Judicial Complex, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Filing is done electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; the clerk assigns the case to a family division judge.
Two threshold facts have to appear in the petition. Fla. Stat. § 61.021 requires that one spouse have resided in Florida for 6 months before filing, and § 61.052(2) requires that residency be proved — by a Florida driver license, voter registration, or the corroborating testimony of a third party. Venue is the county where the parties last lived together with a common intent to remain married, or where the respondent resides.
Who can file in Hollywood under Fla. Stat. § 61.021?
One spouse, six months, before filing. That is the whole of Fla. Stat. § 61.021: “one of the parties to the marriage must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition.” Neither spouse needs to have lived in Hollywood specifically, and neither needs to be a US citizen — the statute asks about residence in Florida. Proof is required under § 61.052(2), typically a Florida driver license or voter registration predating the filing by more than six months, or corroborating testimony. Without it the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit cannot enter a judgment at all.
How is property divided under Fla. Stat. § 61.075?
Florida is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. Fla. Stat. § 61.075(1) directs that the court “must begin with the premise that the distribution should be equal,” unless there is a justification for an unequal distribution based on the statutory factors. In a Hollywood case that premise runs into waterfront homes and military and veteran households with service-connected pay and retirement, which is why classification comes before division.
Section § 61.075(6)(b) defines nonmarital assets — property owned before the marriage, and gifts and inheritances to one spouse alone — and keeps them out of the pot unless they were commingled. Section § 61.075(7) requires the court to set a valuation date, which matters when an asset moves in value during the case. Section § 61.075(6)(a)1.b brings back into the marital estate the enhancement in value of a nonmarital asset that came from marital labor or marital funds.
What is said at mediation — can it be used against me?
No, with narrow exceptions. Fla. Stat. § 44.405 makes mediation communications confidential and creates a privilege against their disclosure, subject to the exceptions the section itself lists. Fla. Stat. § 44.102 authorizes court-ordered mediation and § 61.183 addresses mediation of contested family issues. The practical consequence for Hollywood spouses is that offers made in mediation cannot be repeated to the judge if the case does not settle — which is what makes candid negotiation possible.
Is time-sharing presumed equal in Florida since July 1, 2023?
Yes, as a rebuttable presumption. Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)1., effective 1 July 2023, provides that equal time-sharing with a minor child is in the best interests of the child, and that the presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence. It is a starting point, not a mandate: a Hollywood judge who finds the presumption rebutted must still build the parenting plan from the best-interest factors in § 61.13(3), which cover everything from each parent’s capacity to facilitate a close relationship with the other parent to the child’s home, school, and community record.
How is child support calculated under Fla. Stat. § 61.30?
Fla. Stat. § 61.30 is a guidelines statute. Each parent’s net income is determined, the combined figure is run against the statutory support schedule, and the obligation is divided in proportion to income with health insurance and work-related child care added on. Written findings are required to depart from the guideline amount by more than 5 percent.
The single largest variable in most Hollywood cases is the overnight count. Under § 61.30(11)(b)8., a parent who has the child for at least 20 percent of the overnights is exercising a “substantial amount of time” and the gross-up method applies. Because § 61.13(2)(c)1. now presumes equal time-sharing, that threshold is met far more often than it was before July 2023.
Is mediation required before a contested hearing in Hollywood?
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 Hollywood 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?
Four, since the 2023 rewrite of Fla. Stat. § 61.08: temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational. Permanent alimony was eliminated. The court first makes a finding on need and ability to pay, then selects the form and the amount, and § 61.08(8) caps how long durational alimony may run relative to the length of the marriage.
For Hollywood spouses, the practical consequence is that a long marriage no longer implies an indefinite award. Rehabilitative alimony requires a specific and defined plan; bridge-the-gap addresses identifiable short-term needs and cannot be modified. Where waterfront homes and military and veteran households with service-connected pay and retirement make income hard to pin down, proof of ability to pay becomes the contested issue.
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 Hollywood: An Overview
Looking for a Hollywood family law attorney? Pazos Law Group represents Hollywood families in divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, paternity, and post-judgment modifications. The City of Hollywood, between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, is a diverse beach community with a growing population of professionals and entrepreneurs. Divorces in Hollywood typically involve home equity, mixed asset portfolios, and parenting arrangements for school-age children.
Hollywood is one of Broward County's largest cities and one of South Florida's most diverse — with a substantial international community (Brazilian, Colombian, Venezuelan, Israeli, Russian, and Canadian residents are common), a strong working-and-middle-class base, and a growing professional and creative class along the Hollywood Boulevard and Young Circle corridor. Divorces in Hollywood commonly involve immigrant families with international asset considerations, dual-income working households, and parenting plans that account for shift work and unconventional schedules.
Within Hollywood, divorces commonly involve residents of communities such as Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Lakes, Emerald Hills, Beverly Park, the Beach District, Liberia, Driftwood, the Boulevard Heights corridor, and Hollywood by the Sea. Each has different real estate profiles — from older mid-century homes in Hollywood Hills to high-rise oceanfront condos along Surf Road — that affect equitable distribution analysis.
Why Local Experience Matters
Hollywood divorces benefit from counsel familiar with the 17th Judicial Circuit's procedures and timing, the local mediation pool, and the practical realities of dividing assets common to South Florida households.
Hollywood's international community 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; and enforcement of property orders against foreign real estate often requires coordinated foreign counsel. Pazos Law Group represents clients in English and Spanish — over half of Hollywood's residents speak Spanish at home per recent census data.
Family Law Services for Hollywood Residents
Pazos Law Group represents Hollywood 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
Hollywood 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 Hollywood Divorces
International elements
Hollywood's high concentration of immigrant families produces divorces with international components: foreign-titled real estate, foreign bank accounts subject to FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) and FATCA reporting, dual citizenships affecting child custody jurisdiction, and visa-status considerations. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980) governs return procedures for children wrongfully removed to signatory countries; for non-Hague countries, the analysis is materially different.
Bilingual representation
Per U.S. Census data, more than half of Hollywood residents speak a language other than English at home — predominantly Spanish, followed by Portuguese, Russian, French, and Hebrew. Pazos Law Group represents clients in English and Spanish (en inglés y en español) and routinely coordinates with court-certified interpreters for clients in other languages.
Spousal immigration and divorce
For families where one spouse's immigration status depends on the marriage (conditional permanent residency under INA § 216, K-3 visa holders, etc.), divorce timing affects status. Florida divorce courts do not have jurisdiction over immigration status, but the timing of divorce filings has substantial immigration consequences requiring coordinated counsel.
Working-family parenting plans
Hollywood's economy includes substantial shift-work employment — healthcare workers at Memorial Regional Hospital, hospitality workers along the beach district, transportation and logistics workers at Port Everglades adjacent. Parenting plans must accommodate non-standard schedules. Florida's 2023 equal time-sharing presumption (SB 1416) under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)(1) starts at 50/50 but the schedule structure can be highly customized when work realities require it.
Domestic violence resources
Florida law provides for injunctions for protection against domestic violence under Fla. Stat. § 741.30. The Broward County Clerk maintains a domestic-violence intake office at the main courthouse, and ex-parte temporary injunctions are heard same-day. For Hollywood residents, Women in Distress of Broward County provides 24-hour crisis services. An injunction can be sought separately from divorce and entered on an emergency basis.
Military families and divorce
Hollywood and surrounding Broward County are home to active-duty service members, veterans, and military families, whose divorces carry federal overlays state-court divorces do not. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq.), a court may pause proceedings while a spouse is on active duty, and the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (10 U.S.C. § 1408) governs how military retired pay is divided. Residency and filing rules can also differ when a service member is deployed or stationed out of state. If a military pension, the SCRA, or deployment affects your case, see our Florida military divorce attorney page.
Faster, lower-cost options in Hollywood: 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 Hollywood 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
How long does a divorce take in Broward County?
Florida requires a 20-day waiting period from filing. Uncontested cases in Broward typically conclude in 60–90 days. Contested cases may take 6–18 months depending on complexity and the 17th Circuit's calendar.
Is mediation required in Broward divorce cases?
Yes, in most contested family law cases, the 17th Judicial Circuit requires mediation before a contested hearing. Mediation is confidential and frequently resolves cases without trial.
What if my spouse and I agree on everything?
An uncontested divorce where parties agree on all issues — division of assets and debts, time-sharing if applicable, support — moves through the system most quickly. Even uncontested cases benefit from counsel reviewing the marital settlement agreement.
How much does a divorce cost in Hollywood?
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.
Should I move out before filing for divorce?
Moving out does not forfeit your ownership interest in the marital home or your parental rights. However, it can affect temporary living arrangements and the day-to-day time-sharing pattern a court may later formalize. If children are involved, speak with an attorney before relocating.
Request a Confidential Consultation in Hollywood
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Also Serving Broward County
Pazos Law Group represents clients throughout Broward County. Other locations we serve:
- Davie Divorce Attorney
- Fort Lauderdale Divorce Attorney
- Miramar Divorce Attorney
- Pembroke Pines Divorce Attorney
- Plantation Divorce Attorney
Related Reading
- Hollywood 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
- what to bring to a first divorce consultation — documents, questions and financial details worth gathering beforehand.
- enforcing a Florida court order — contempt motions when support or time-sharing is ignored.
- browse the firm’s practice areas — every area of family law handled by Pazos Law Group.
Divorce in Hollywood: Beach-Town Families & Mixed Households
Hollywood blends the Broadwalk and beach community with established inland neighborhoods of working and middle-income families and retirees. Most Hollywood divorces focus on practical, high-stakes basics: fairly valuing the marital home, building a realistic time-sharing schedule for the children, and calculating child support correctly under Florida’s guidelines. Hospitality and small-business income is common and sometimes partly cash-based, so accurately establishing income protects both support and property outcomes. For couples who agree on most issues, an uncontested or mediated divorce is the fastest, least expensive route. Hollywood cases are filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward County), at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.
Speak with a Hollywood Family Law Attorney
Pazos Law Group offers confidential consultations for Hollywood 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.