A divorce decree is a legal document signed by the judge that officially terminates the marriage. The divorce decree typically includes the judge’s ruling on all matters related to the marriage and any minor children—including division of marital or community property, payment of marital or community debts, spousal support, child custody, child visitation, child support, any obligation to provide health insurance for minor children, and the payment of extracurricular expenses for minor children.

These determinations or rulings set forth in the divorce decree become legally enforceable obligations when the judge signs the divorce decree—and may be enforced by further legal action in the court if one or both of the former spouses fail to comply with the terms of the divorce decree.

In Florida, a divorce decree is the final court order that legally ends a marriage. It is signed by a judge and outlines all the terms of the divorce, including the division of marital property and debts, alimony (spousal support), and if applicable, child custody, visitation rights, child support, health insurance provisions for minor children, and payment for extracurricular activities. These terms are based on Florida's equitable distribution laws, which aim for a fair, but not necessarily equal, division of assets and liabilities. Florida law also provides guidelines for determining alimony and child support, taking into account factors such as the length of the marriage, the financial situation of each spouse, and the needs of the children. Once the judge signs the divorce decree, the terms are legally binding and enforceable. If a former spouse fails to comply with the terms of the decree, the other party may return to court to seek enforcement, which can result in legal consequences such as contempt of court or garnishment of wages.