Legal Guidance for an Orlando Uncontested Divorce
Agreeing on divorce terms can simplify the process, but the court still must review the legal documents before the marriage is dissolved. Orlando spouses need paperwork that is complete, consistent, and specific enough to show the court that all major issues have been resolved.
The Law Office of Erin Morse helps clients who want to end a marriage without turning every issue into a fight. As an uncontested divorce attorney in Orlando, FL, we help clients identify what must be resolved, draft the divorce agreement, and prepare for the court steps required under Florida law. Our law firm takes a personalized and creative approach because divorce is not just paperwork. It is a family transition that affects children, finances, housing, work, and the next stage of your life.
Call (407) 743-6059 or fill out our online form now to schedule a paid strategy session. We can review whether your case is truly uncontested and explain what must happen before the court can approve the divorce.
What Makes a Divorce Uncontested in Florida?
An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses reach a complete agreement on every issue the court must decide. That usually includes property division, marital assets, marital debts, spousal support, child support, parental responsibility, time-sharing, and parenting plans when children are involved.
Florida divorce law uses the term dissolution of marriage. To obtain a Florida divorce, one spouse must have lived in Florida for at least 6 months before filing the petition, under Florida Statutes § 61.021. Florida law also requires a legal ground for dissolution, most often that the marriage is irretrievably broken, under Florida Statutes § 61.052.
The Uncontested Divorce Process in Orlando
Divorce in Orlando generally moves through the Domestic Relations Division of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, which hears dissolution of marriage cases. The Ninth Judicial Circuit Domestic Relations Court identifies dissolution of marriage as one of the civil case types handled by that division.
Most uncontested divorce cases move through a basic sequence:
- Ensure Florida has jurisdiction and that the case is being filed in the right court.
- Prepare the petition and other required family law forms.
- Put the spouses’ agreement into a written marital settlement agreement that the court can review.
- Complete child-related forms and parenting requirements when needed.
- Attend the final hearing or follow the court’s procedure for final disposition.
Florida law also states that no final judgment of dissolution may be entered until at least 20 days have passed from the filing of the original petition, unless the court finds that injustice would result from the delay. That rule appears in Florida Statutes § 61.19.
Why the Marital Settlement Agreement Matters
A marital settlement agreement often carries significant weight in an uncontested divorce. It tells the court what the spouses have agreed to financially and gives the judge clear terms for property, debt, support, and other unresolved issues.
Florida law requires equitable distribution of marital assets and liabilities. The court starts with the premise that the distribution should be equal unless the facts justify an unequal distribution under the statute. That rule appears in Florida Statutes § 61.075.
Your agreement should clearly say who gets what and who pays what. This includes bank accounts, cars, credit cards, real estate, retirement plans, business interests, insurance, and taxes. If your settlement is vague, both sides can face problems after the divorce is final.
We prepare agreements with practical follow-through in mind. The court needs enough detail to approve the agreement, and the spouses need enough detail to follow it.
Child Custody, Parenting Plans, and Child Support
Many people still use the phrase child custody, but Florida law now focuses on parental responsibility, parenting plans, and time-sharing. A parenting plan is a document that governs the relationship between the parents and must contain a time-sharing schedule, under Florida Statutes § 61.046.
A detailed parenting plan gives both parents a clear guide for school, health care, exchanges, holidays, travel, and daily routines. Parenting terms should not rely on trust alone. You need a plan that works post-divorce.
If minor children are involved, the court needs more than an informal parenting arrangement. Under Florida Statutes § 61.13, the parenting plan must set out how parenting time, daily care, school and health decisions, and communication with the child will be handled.
Child support must follow Florida law. The guidelines are in Florida Statutes § 61.30. Parents can agree on many terms, but the court reviews all child-related issues before approval.
In dissolution cases involving minor children, both parties must complete the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before entry of final judgment unless the court excuses attendance for good cause. The petitioner generally must complete the course within 45 days after filing, and the other party generally must complete it within 45 days after service, under Florida Statutes § 61.21.
Spousal Support and Alimony in an Uncontested Divorce
You can include spousal support in an uncontested divorce. One spouse may choose to waive alimony, agree on a specific amount, or select another option allowed by law. Be sure your agreement clearly explains all support terms.
Florida law now includes temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony. These types are listed in Florida Statutes § 61.08. Since older ideas about lifetime alimony can be confusing, it is important to check support terms under the current law.
A useful alimony agreement should explain the amount, duration, payment method, and termination events. A short paragraph can create years of confusion if it does not answer those questions.
Simplified Divorce Is Not Right for Every Couple
Florida offers a simplified dissolution process for couples who meet narrow requirements. The Florida Courts simplified dissolution form identifies requirements that include agreement that the marriage cannot be saved, no minor or dependent children together, agreement on assets and liabilities, no alimony request, both spouses signing the petition, and both spouses being willing to attend the final hearing.
Most couples need a regular uncontested divorce rather than a simplified one. This is usually the case if you have children, need a parenting plan, need support terms, own property together, or need stronger legal protection.
An Orlando uncontested divorce lawyer can help determine which process is best for the case. The wrong filing path can waste time and increase stress.
Why Hire Us for an Orlando Uncontested Divorce?
An uncontested case still deserves careful legal work. You may avoid lengthy court hearings, but you still need documents that match Florida divorce laws and your family’s real life.
The Law Office of Erin Morse takes a creative approach to family law because divorce affects more than the legal file. It affects the way a family communicates, pays bills, shares parenting time, and moves forward after conflict. We help clients understand their options for resolution while keeping a clear eye on what could occur if one party decides to contest any issue in an agreement.
Our strategy sessions are paid, not free consultations. That structure allows us to focus on the facts, identify the pressure points, and give direct guidance from the start.
Call an Orlando Uncontested Divorce Lawyer Today
A complete agreement can reduce conflict, but only if the agreement is written clearly and presented to the court the right way. Call The Law Office of Erin Morse at (407) 743-6059 or fill out our online form to schedule your paid strategy session with an Orlando divorce lawyer. We can help you move forward with a plan that accounts for your children, finances, and future.