Fact-checked and verified on July 7, 2026
If you own a house in Fort Lauderdale, FL and you are dealing with divorce, this page covers what actually happens next — the local timeline, what it costs, and the options that stay open to you. Everything below is specific to Fort Lauderdale and how sales are handled in FL, not generic national advice.
In Fort Lauderdale, you do not automatically have to sell your house during a divorce, but a judge can order a sale if you and your spouse cannot agree on what to do with it. Florida is an 'equitable distribution' state, meaning the court's goal is to divide property fairly, which often starts with a 50/50 split of the home's value. You can avoid a sale by buying out your spouse's share, trading other assets (like retirement accounts) for the house, or asking the court for 'exclusive use and possession' if you have children living at home.
Florida is an equitable distribution state under Statute 61.075, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not always exactly 50/50.
Source: https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html
A 'Partition Action' under Florida Statute Chapter 64 can be used to force the sale of a home if co-owners cannot agree on its disposition.
Source: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0064/0064.html
At least one spouse must have resided in Florida for six consecutive months before filing for divorce.
Source: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.021.html
Courts may award the 'exclusive use and possession' of the marital home to a custodial parent until children reach age 18.
Source: https://www.flsellnow.com/sell-house-during-divorce-florida/
Recent 2024 updates to Florida Statute 61.075 allow for 'interim partial distribution' to help spouses pay for divorce costs using marital assets before the final judgment.
Source: https://www.mnagellaw.com/blog/new-changes-to-florida-equitable-distribution-laws
Florida Statute 61.075 - Equitable Distribution
https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html
17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida (Broward County)
https://www.17th.flcourts.org/family-court-judges/
Broward County Clerk of Courts - Divorce Information
https://www.browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family#FilingForDivorce
Broward County Property Appraiser - Homestead Exemption
https://www.bcpa.net/homestead.asp
A clean break. Close in as little as 7 days.
A clean break. Close in as little as 7 days.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Laws, timelines, and market conditions vary by state and change over time. Always consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional about your specific situation before making any decisions. Any cash offer is subject to a property evaluation, and closing timelines depend on title, occupancy, and other factors. Results described on this site are not a guarantee of any particular outcome. Black Girls Buy Houses LLC is a real estate investment company that purchases properties directly; we are not licensed real estate agents or brokers and do not provide brokerage services. We are committed to the letter and spirit of the Fair Housing Act and conduct business in accordance with all federal, state, and local fair housing laws.
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