How long does a collaborative divorce take in Orlando Florida? Statistically, the collaborative divorce process is intended to take approximately six months. The vast majority of collaborative cases resolve by the nine-month period. Sometimes spouses must go into overtime because of the breadth of their assets. Why is the 6–9 month period appropriate for this rather special and highly successful type of divorce and family law? Call your Orlando collaborative divorce attorney Jonathan Jacobs of the Jacobs Family Law Firm, PLLC at 407-335-8113 for more information. We will let you know if the collaborative divorce timeline matches your expectations for getting divorced.
How long does a collaborative divorce take in Orlando Florida? The collaborative divorce timeline generally dovetails with the number of team meetings the spouses may need to reach a full resolution of all issues. This means that if there are three full team meetings, the process will generally resolve within six months. If the spouses are working on their parenting plan and reach a stalemate or difficulty with a few issues, there may need to be an additional team meeting or additional time spent with the mental health neutral and the spouses. Further, even if the parenting plan is fully drafted and executed, there may be some concern as to the equitable distribution proposals from the expert financial planner. This may necessitate more document production, or further discussion among the parties as to the best way to move forward for mutual satisfaction.
In cases where some issues are unresolved, there may be four or five full team meetings and the process may reach as long as a year, which though very rare, is a possibility. The great news is the more the parties are involved in the process, the better the result will be. Being engaged in your own outcome is the essence of the teamwork collaborative divorce requires for success.
Depending on where the case is ultimately filed (a collaborative case may be filed at the beginning of the process or toward the conclusion), it may be considered an uncontested divorce in Florida with no court appearance. Many courts will allow collaborative family law cases to be finalized without necessitating you or your spouse appear before the court. This factors into our question of how long does a collaborative divorce take in Orlando Florida? There is a twenty day statutory waiting period for divorce per Florida Statute 61.19 which informs us that: “No final judgment of dissolution of marriage may be entered until at least 20 days have elapsed from the date of filing the original petition for dissolution of marriage; but the court, on a showing that injustice would result from this delay, may enter a final judgment of dissolution of marriage at an earlier date.” This Statute, though not a hard-and-fast rule for all cases, may add an additional 2-4 weeks at the end of your collaborative family law case for its finalization.
When you need answers about the collaborative divorce process, call Jacobs Law Firm at 407-335-8113 and we will provide you with a comprehensive consultation.
