An uncontested divorce is a dissolution of marriage in which both spouses have agreed on every issue — how property and debts will be divided, whether and how much alimony will be paid, a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule for any minor children, and the calculation of child support. Because there is nothing for a judge to decide, an uncontested divorce is dramatically faster, cheaper, and less emotionally draining than a contested case.

At the Law Office of A. James Mullaney, uncontested divorce is at the center of my practice. I have spent more than a quarter century guiding Jacksonville couples through the process — drafting comprehensive marital settlement agreements, filing the paperwork with the Duval County Clerk of Court, and handling the brief final hearing before a Florida judge.

Why Most Divorcing Couples Should Consider Uncontested Divorce

Divorce is expensive. A contested divorce with a trial can easily run $20,000 to $50,000 or more per spouse once you account for attorney fees, deposition costs, expert witnesses, and forensic accountants. An uncontested divorce in Jacksonville typically closes for a small fraction of that and resolves in weeks rather than months or years.

The hidden costs of contested litigation go beyond dollars:

Time:Contested cases often take 12–18 months; uncontested cases close in 30–90 days.
Privacy: Trial testimony becomes part of the public court record.
Children: A protracted legal fight is extraordinarily hard on kids, and courts have the final say on time-sharing.
Control: When you settle, you control the terms. When a judge decides, you live with whatever the judge orders.

Requirements for an Uncontested Divorce in Florida

To qualify for an uncontested divorce under Florida law, you must:

Florida residency: At least one spouse must have resided in Florida for a minimum of six months before filing.
Irretrievably broken: Both spouses must agree the marriage cannot be saved.
Full agreement: Complete agreement on property division, debt division, alimony, child support, and a parenting plan for minor children.
Full disclosure: Both parties must exchange mandatory financial affidavits disclosing all income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.

What I Do For You

When you hire me for an uncontested divorce, I handle the entire legal process end to end:

Consultation: We discuss your situation, the terms you and your spouse have agreed to, and any open questions.
Drafting the Marital Settlement Agreement: I write a tailored MSA that addresses property, debts, support, and children — thoroughly enough to avoid surprises down the road. More on what a good MSA covers.
Parenting Plan: If you have minor children, I draft a detailed parenting plan covering time-sharing, holidays, decision-making, and transportation.
Filing:I file the Petition for Dissolution with the Duval County Clerk of Court (or the appropriate circuit) and serve the non-filing spouse's Answer and Waiver.
Financial Affidavits: I prepare and file the mandatory disclosures for both parties.
Final Hearing: I represent you at the brief final hearing — usually less than 15 minutes. What to expect at the hearing.
Judgment: The judge signs your Final Judgment of Dissolution. You are officially divorced.

How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in Jacksonville?

From the date of filing, Florida requires a minimum 20-day waiting period. In practice, most uncontested divorces are final within 30 to 90 days of filing, depending on the court's calendar. Moving quickly on financial disclosure and finalizing the MSA is the single biggest factor in how fast your divorce closes.

What About Simplified Dissolution?

Florida has a separate, even faster procedure called Simplified Dissolution. It is only available to couples with no children, no alimony, and complete asset agreement — and it requires you to waive valuable rights. For most people, a standard uncontested divorce is a smarter choice.

Is Online Divorce a Good Substitute?

Online divorce services promise a cheap, template-driven solution. They can work for a tiny minority of couples with nothing to divide and no children. For everyone else, a one-size-fits-all template tends to create problems that cost more to unwind later than a properly drafted agreement would have cost in the first place. Read the full comparison.

Uncontested Divorce in Jacksonville, Florida