Do You Have to Be Separated Befor...
Do You Have to Be Separated Before Divorce in Florida?
AI
When Split Happens by Jay Henderlite
S1 · E7
Jan 15, 2026
04:28
Episode notes

In this episode of When Split Happens, Jacksonville family law attorney Jay Henderlite of Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite answers a question that surprises many couples: Do you have to be legally separated before filing for divorce in Florida? The short answer is no—but Florida’s divorce laws have important rules every spouse should understand before filing.

Jay explains why Florida does not recognize legal separation, how the state’s no-fault divorce system works, and what legally replaces separation under Florida law. Listeners will learn the two requirements for filing a divorce in Florida—the six-month residency rule and th ... 

Keywords
Florida divorce law
Divorce in Florida
Jacksonville divorce attorney
Florida family law attorney
No-fault divorce Florida
Florida separation laws
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