The Florida divorce process begins with one spouse filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the county circuit court. For Fort Myers residents, that means Lee County. The filing spouse becomes the petitioner; the other has 20 days to respond after being served. From that point, the timeline depends on how quickly the parties resolve outstanding issues through negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings.
One of the earliest practical steps is mandatory financial disclosure. Both parties must exchange financial affidavits covering income, assets, liabilities, and monthly expenses. These documents form the factual foundation for property division and support determinations. Getting them accurate from the start keeps the process from stalling later. Brodzki Jacobs helps Fort Myers clients complete this disclosure properly and understand how the numbers will be used throughout the case.
