Hillsborough County Judge denies same-sex divorce

Circuit Judge Laurel M. Lee dismissed the pending petition for dissolution 2 women who were legally married in Massachusetts in 2010. Judge Lee ruled that she could not grant a divorce for an unrecognized marriage in this state citing Florida’s 2008 constitutional amendment and Florida statute (§ 741.212), which provides explicitly that Florida does not recognize, for any purpose, even same-sex marriages that have been recognized in another jurisdiction. The Court is without jurisdiction to dismiss that which does not exist. Both sides argue that dissolution is not in violation of the marriage ban and will appeal to the Second District Court of Appeal.