Florida Divorce Laws Explained
The petitioner filing Florida divorce forms must have lived in the state of Florida for at least six months, and have proper proof of residency.
Florida recognizes the following grounds for dissolution of marriage:
- marriage is irretrievably broken;
- mental incapacity of one of the parties.
Florida courts prefer awarding joint custody, which is described as shared parental responsibility, opposed to sole custody. Sole custody awards only one parent parental responsibility of the child. Custody is determined by the child’s best interests.
The courts will take into consideration the following factors and more:
- each parents likelihood to encourage and allow the child to continue a meaningful;
- relationship with the other parent;
- mental, moral, and physical health of each party involved;
- evidence of spousal and/or child abuse;
- child’s home, school, and community record.
Unless special circumstances are present, the courts calculate child support based on the official child support guidelines. Child support will continue until the child reaches adulthood, and may be extended through his or her secondary education.
Florida divorce forms may be filed in the respondent’s county of residence or in the county in which the spouses last lived together.
After the Florida divorce papers are filed, the courts may refer the parties to mediation to resolve disputed child-related issues or in a contested divorce case.