First, you should make sure you are eligible to file for divorce in Florida. You or your spouse need to have lived in Florida for at least 90 days prior to filing and if you have children, they need to have lived in Florida for at least six months (or since birth, if they’re younger than six months), in order for the court to address custody issues.
It’s important to note that all divorces are different, but the following scenario outlines a typical process. Once you’ve determined you’re eligible, the first step is to hire an experienced attorney to help you through the often complicated divorce process. The attorney will help you file a petition for divorce. The next step is for a process server to serve your spouse (the “opposing party” in your case) with divorce papers. From there, the divorce proceedings can begin, which will vary depending on the type of divorce you’re seeking, your relationship with your spouse and the asset division involved, among a number of other factors.