Family matters we handle
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce), contested and uncontested
- Parental responsibility, time-sharing and parenting plans
- Child support, including enforcement and modification
- Alimony
- Equitable distribution of marital assets and debts
- Paternity actions
- Modification of existing orders when circumstances change
- Domestic violence, dating violence and stalking injunctions
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
- Name changes and relocation requests
How we approach a family case
Many family cases can and should be settled. Florida courts require mediation in most cases before trial, and an agreement you help write is usually better than an order a judge writes for you. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, which is what puts you in a position to settle it well.
When the other side will not be reasonable, or when safety is at stake, we go to court.
Common questions
How long do I have to live in Florida before I can file for divorce?
At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for the six months before the petition is filed.
Do I have to prove my spouse did something wrong?
No. Florida is a no-fault state. The court can dissolve a marriage on a finding that it is irretrievably broken.
Who gets custody?
Florida law speaks of parental responsibility and time-sharing rather than custody. Both are decided according to the best interests of the child, and every case with minor children ends with a written parenting plan.
This page is general information about Florida law, not legal advice about your situation. Deadlines and procedures vary and change; talk to an attorney about yours.