What does it mean to bifurcate a divorce?
The word bifurcate is synonymous with the words “split” and “divide.” Thus, a bifurcation in a divorce case takes the issue of marital status and splits it from all of the other divorce issues, such as the issues of spousal support, child custody and visitation, child support, and property division.
How long does a bifurcation take?
Some divorcing couples may want their divorce resolved as quickly as possible. In California, the legal minimum time requirement that a dissolution can be entered is six months from the date of service of the petition to the entered judgment.
Why do people bifurcate divorce?
Bifurcation allows the parties in a divorce to be restored to the status of single persons while all other pending issues in the divorce remain unresolved. A bifurcation will only result in the termination of marital status, and hence restore the parties to single person status.
What is motion to bifurcate?
For those hoping to get divorced sooner, there is something called a Motion for Bifurcation, which asks that the court terminate a marriage and restore each spouse to their single status. In some situations, the judge may order a trial be bifurcated or that a particular issue within the case be tried separately.
What is a bifurcated process?
Bifurcation is the splitting of a case into two separate trials. Generally, a civil lawsuit can be naturally divided into two major issues for a trier of fact, such as a judge or a jury, to decide: liability and damages. In a bifurcated case, the issues of liability and damages are decided separately.
What is a limited divorce in Florida?
However, Florida statutes do allow Floridians who want to separate without formally divorcing to seek a limited, or bifurcateddivorce. Limited or bifurcated divorce allows a married couple to legally end their marriage, without the complete separation that comes from an absolute divorce.
What does bifurcated mean in law?
A judicial proceeding that is divided into two stages. The most common division is to determine liabiltiy or guilt in the first stage, and to establish damages or punishment in the second stage.