Divorce

Florida’s No-Fault Divorce Process

If your marriage is irretrievably broken, in order to file for divorce you must be a resident of Florida for 180 days prior to filing. I will guide you through the process and protect your interests. Every client needs to know exactly what to expect during their divorce, and I will be there for you every step of the way, addressing all of your concerns.

Although every client has unique needs, the following issues often arise in Florida family law cases.

• Contested vs. uncontested divorce: First, we will determine if your divorce is contested or uncontested. If you and your spouse can agree on everything, I will help you file for a simplified dissolution when there are no children and no assets in the marriage. A contested divorce will address child custody and support, visitation and time sharing, distribution of marital assets and liabilities, spousal support and insurance.
• Distribution of Property: The Florida equitable distribution statute provides that in dissolution proceedings the court shall set apart to each spouse their non-marital assets and liabilities, and shall distribute between the parties the marital assets and liabilities in such portions as are equitable. The property must all be distributed equitably, but not necessarily equally.
• Alimony can be awarded to either spouse upon a showing of a spouse’s need for financial support and of the other spouse·s ability to pay. In Florida, alimony may be awarded temporarily during the pendency of the divorce, as bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational or lump sum alimony. Duration of alimony payments is tied to the length of the marriage and the amount is determined by the disparity in earnings of the parties, the reasonable needs of the recipient spouse, the standard of living established during the marriage, the financial resources of each party, and a spouse’s ability to earn a living. Permanent alimony was eliminated by the Florida Legislature in July 2023.
• High asset cases can be complex in Northwest Florida which require the assistance of an experienced Florida divorce attorney.
• Military divorces present unique issues as Florida courts have recognized an exception to the residency requirement for members of the military allowing service members to seek divorce in Florida without proving actual presence in the state during the typical six month statutory period. I work with service members or dependents stationed at Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, Duke Field, Pensacola Naval Air Station, and Tyndall Air Force Base.

I can also assist in the preparation of a pre-nuptial agreement, modification of judgment, relocation or adoption.

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10,
Best Firms – Florida 2017 to 2018