What Is a Dissolution of Marriage in Florida?
A dissolution of marriage is the official legal term for divorce in Florida. It is the formal process by which a court legally ends a marriage.
How It Works in Florida
Florida requires only one condition for a dissolution of marriage to proceed: one party must demonstrate that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." This means the person must show that issues in the marriage cannot be resolved and that a healthy marriage is no longer possible. Florida does not require proof of fault or wrongdoing by either party.
Regular vs. Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
Florida offers two types of dissolution of marriage:
Regular dissolution of marriage — the standard divorce process. Required for any divorce involving minor children. This is what most people mean when they say "divorce" in Florida.
Simplified dissolution of marriage — a less complicated process for eligible couples. It is not available to parents with minor children. It has additional eligibility requirements and is only available to couples with no minor children and no disputes over property or support.
The Parenting Course Requirement
Parents with minor children going through a regular dissolution of marriage are required by Florida law to complete the Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. Both the petitioner and the respondent must complete it individually.
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
Official term | Dissolution of marriage |
Common term | Divorce |
Florida requirement | One party must show marriage is irretrievably broken |
Parenting course required | Yes — for divorces involving minor children |
Simplified dissolution available to parents | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dissolution of marriage different from legal separation? Florida does not have legal separation in the same way some other states do. Dissolution of marriage is the process for formally ending a marriage. Consult an attorney about your options if you are not ready for a full dissolution.
What does "irretrievably broken" mean? It means the parties agree or a court finds that the marriage cannot be saved and there is no reasonable possibility of reconciliation. One party stating this is typically sufficient in an uncontested case.
Does the parenting course requirement apply to all dissolutions of marriage in Florida? The course is required whenever the dissolution of marriage involves minor children or a paternity action. If there are no minor children, the course is not required.