Considerations For a Miami-Dade Divorce

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Considerations For a Miami-Dade Divorce

Considerations For a Miami-Dade Divorce

A divorce is one of the toughest experiences you can have. People break away from a part of their lives due to many reasons, be it financial, incompatibility, or others.

While modern laws make it easy to go through this process, it still poses emotional and legal challenges.

If you are looking to get a divorce, then you may be thinking about all the challenges that lie ahead. What are the important laws? What are the key things to consider? What should you do to get through the process easily?

We will address that and more, so let us get right into the key considerations for a Miami-Dade County divorce.

Did you know that around 20% of the Miami-Dade population is divorced or separated? [1]

Important Florida Divorce Laws to Consider

Divorce in Miami-Dade County is regulated by the state laws, which simplify the process. These laws regulate basics, such as who can file for a divorce, who is eligible to file for one, and which factors ensure an uncontested divorce, among others.

That being said, the most important divorce laws in Florida include the following:

  • Divorce Requirement: Miami-Dade County follows the “no-fault” rule of Florida, which means you do not have to blame one person or the other in a marriage. Instead, you just need to show that the marriage is broken and cannot be fixed in order to file for a divorce. Florida Statutes § 61.052
  • Divorce Mediation: Most divorces in Florida are required to go through mediation to reach mutual agreements and render it an uncontested divorce. If the divorce goes to court, then the couple will be required to provide proof, witnesses, and allow the judge to make the final decision, instead of reaching a solution themselves. Florida Statutes 44.401/44.406
  • Property Split/Division: The court or court-appointed mediator has the right to divide things equitably during the dissolution of marriage. This includes money, property, as well as any debts the couple has taken during their marriage. Florida Statutes Section 61.075
  • Residency Requirements: Florida laws require you to have been a Miami-Dade resident for at least six months before you can file for a divorce. However, these laws can be lenient toward military couples. Florida Statutes § 61.021

There are more divorced women than men in Miami-Dade County, with 17.9% of divorced women. [2]

Simplified Divorces in Miami-Dade County

Simplified divorces have specific requirements in Miami-Dade County. As the state laws regulate, the couple involved must reach an agreement on the basics to ensure an uncontested or simplified divorce. For this, the state has the necessary requirements.

The requirements for a simplified divorce are as follows:

  • Children: Florida laws require that there are no minor or dependent children born from the marriage, nor should the couple be expecting a baby. This is one of the key conditions for an uncontested divorce.
  • Financial Obligations: There cannot be any unresolved financial obligations between the two, especially if they have taken on debt together or filed for bankruptcy.
  • Marital Settlement Agreement: Both parties involved need to agree upon a marital settlement. This agreement should outline the terms of the divorce, and once both parties agree, the divorce can move forward.
  • Property Division: If there is property involved, particularly a house, car, etc. Both parties must agree to a written property division to ensure a simplified divorce process.
Simplified Divorces in Miami-Dade County

Equitable Distribution in a Miami-Dade Divorce

Equitable distribution is one of the key factors in most divorces. This is regulated by Florida law, which requires the split of property and other assets equitably, depending on key factors. The court will consider factors like marriage duration, job, education, etc., to determine a fair split of assets. 61.075

The most important factors considered in this include the following:

  • Contribution of each spouse to the marriage
  • Contributions to the personal career or education
  • Desirability of retaining a particular marital asset
  • Economic circumstances of each spouse after divorce
  • Intentional dissipation or waste of marital assets
  • Interruption of personal careers or educational opportunities
  • Responsibilities for the care and education of children
  • The duration of the marriage

Considering these factors, the divorce is then finalized by the local court. The judge will consider these factors. However, if during mediation, both spouses agree to compromise and split according to equitable divorce law, then there will be no need to go to a trial.

In this instance, both spouses will get their fair share of the assets. The court will appoint a mediator, who will allow adjustments accordingly. This is done to ensure fairness based on the aforementioned consideration according to Florida Statutes Section 61.075.

Miami-Dade Custody and Child Support Considerations

One of the most difficult phases during a divorce for any involved party is custody and child support. In child support, various factors are considered, such as expenses, the child’s regular needs, education, etc. Other than that, both parents must also agree to a timesharing schedule.

The key considerations in this aspect of the divorce include the following:

  • Combined Parental Income: The total income of both parents is considered in determining child support. This includes factors like wages, bonuses, self-employment income, and any other earnings or benefits.
  • Custody and Parenting Time (Timesharing): Custody of a child after a divorce revolves around time-sharing. In most cases, the parent who gets to keep the child has decreased child support obligations. On the other hand, the parent with fewer overnight stays with a child has a greater child support obligation.
  • Child’s Needs and Expenses: The main factor that determines child support is not only basic necessities, like food, housing, and clothing. Instead, it also considers medical costs not covered by insurance, educational expenses, and any extracurricular activities.
  • Court Discretion and Deviations: Florida law has outlined the basics to determine child support and custody. However, a court of law has discretion to deviate from this. The adjustment beyond 5% of the determined child support amount will require a written explanation from the court.
  • Income Imputation: If a parent is unemployed, underemployed, or purposely reducing income, then they can be penalized. In this case, the court can impute income based on what the parent is capable of earning, and ensure that fair child support is paid.
  • Legal Custody and Parental Responsibility: Both parents are required to be equally responsible in making important decisions about the child’s welfare. This applies in cases of health and education.

Alimony Considerations in Miami-Dade County Divorces

Alimony is one of the key factors to consider when divorcing. In some cases, the court can appoint one spouse to pay alimony to another, depending on their financial situation and other factors. This is also called spousal support, and it is usually entangled with child support.

That being said, the key factors considered in determining alimony include the following:

  • Amount of each spouse’s financial resources
  • Duration of the marriage in years
  • Each spouse’s age and physical condition
  • Each spouse’s earning capacity and education
  • Marital lifestyle and standard of living
  • Need for financial support after divorce
  • Time needed for spouse to become self-supporting
  • Types of alimony available under Florida law

Other than these factors, specific cases may require a thorough analysis by the court or the mediator.  Then, depending on the case presented by either spouse, the court may determine alimony based on income, necessity, and child support.

Alimony Considerations in Miami-Dade County Divorces

Process of Filing A Divorce in Miami-Dade

The process of filing a divorce in Miami-Dade requires the filing of specific documents and forms to initiate the process. This process can be started by either of the spouses, and usually includes the submission of key forms.

The most important forms include the following:

  • Child support form, also known as Form 12.902(E)
  • Child custody or parenting plan, which must be approved by the court, called Form 12.995(a) and 12.995(b)
  • Marital settlement agreement, or Form 12.902(f)(3) to show mutual consent to an uncontested divorce
  • Petition for dissolution of marriage, filed by one of the spouses, also called Form 12.901(a) or 12.901(b)(1) (for couples with children)
  • Judgment of dissolution of marriage, signed off by the judge, called the Form 12.990

Once the important documents are finalized, the divorce petition is filed. Then, these phases will follow:

  • Divorce petition by your divorce lawyer
  • Divorce petition review by the local court and a judge
  • Mediation, if required to meet mutual agreement
  • Marriage dissolution hearing, if necessary
  • The local court’s judgment to finalize the divorce

Once the divorce is finalized, the dissolution of the marriage will be confirmed by the State of Florida, and the couple will no longer be regarded as “married.”

If you or someone you know is looking to get a divorce, then the Miami divorce attorneys at The Law Offices of Sacks & Sacks, P.A. can help you and simplify the process. Get a free consultation today.

FAQs

Who should file for the divorce in Miami-Dade?

There is no requirement on who should file for a divorce to end a marriage in Miami-Dade. Any of the two spouses can initiate the process, and they will be considered the petitioner. There is no legal advantage to either party, as the court will consider various factors before calling it an uncontested divorce.

What is an uncontested divorce in Miami-Dade?

An uncontested divorce is when both parties in a divorce agree to the dissolution of the marriage without any conflict. This includes matters of property, child support, child custody, etc. An uncontested divorce is quicker and less stressful as it avoids the court battle entirely.

Will my divorce case in Miami go to trial?

Most divorce cases in Miami-Dade County end before the trial as they are resolved during negotiations or mediation. A trial is only necessary if matters of custody or assets are not agreed upon by either party involved.

Is co-parenting difficult after a divorce?

Co-parenting can be challenging due to emotional adjustments and communication. In a simplified divorce, matters of custody and timesharing are discussed thoroughly to avoid any conflict in the future.

Sources:

[1] Matters, M. (n.d.). Miami-Dade Matters :: Demographics :: County :: Miami-Dade :: Population. Copyright (C) 2025 by Miami-Dade Matters. https://www.miamidadematters.org/demographicdata?id=414§ionId=935

[2] Miami-Dade County Office of the Commission Auditor –Miami-Dade County STATUS OF WOMEN 2023 Report. In Miami-Dade County. https://www.miamidade.gov/advocacy/library/reports/2023-status-of-women-report.pdf

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