815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Ending a marriage is one of the most stressful events you'll ever face. Living in Central Florida brings its own set of rules and procedures that can feel overwhelming when you're trying to keep your life together. You don't have to figure out the legal system alone while you deal with the emotional fallout.
Florida is a "no-fault" divorce state, which means you don't need to prove abuse or infidelity to end your marriage. You only need to state that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." While Florida law requires a 20-day waiting period after filing, the reality in Orange County is that even simple cases usually take 3 to 4 months to finalize.
This no-fault status simplifies the initial filing, but it doesn't mean bad behavior goes unnoticed. Issues like wasteful spending or substance abuse still impact how the court divides assets or determines custody. That's why having a skilled divorce attorney is vital. They help you understand how specific actions influence the outcome.
There is also a residency requirement. One spouse must live in Florida for at least six months before filing. We often see confusion here, especially with new residents moving to the area. If you haven't hit that six-month mark, you can't file yet.
A family law practice Orlando, Florida residents trust does more than just file paperwork. We act as a strategic buffer between you and your spouse to lower the temperature of the conflict. This allows you to make decisions based on logic and your long-term financial health rather than immediate anger or sadness.
Divorce involves strict deadlines for financial disclosures. In Florida, you must provide a full financial affidavit within 45 days of the initial service. Missing these deadlines can hurt your credibility with the judge. We handle these timelines and ensure every account, debt, and asset is properly documented.
We also provide a reality check. Friends and family mean well, but their advice is often based on emotion or outdated information. We tell you what the law actually says, not just what you want to hear. This honesty saves you time and money by preventing you from fighting battles you can't win.
Florida uses "equitable distribution" to divide assets, which means a fair split, but not necessarily a 50/50 split. The court looks at the length of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, and contributions to the home when deciding who gets what. This includes 401(k)s, real estate, businesses, and even credit card debt.
The marital home is often the biggest point of contention. In neighborhoods like Winter Park or Lake Nona, where property values have skyrocketed, deciding whether to sell or keep the house is a major financial decision. If one spouse keeps the home, they usually must buy out the other spouse's share.
We help you distinguish between marital and non-marital assets. Anything you owned before the marriage is typically yours to keep, provided you didn't mix it with marital funds. We've seen many cases where a spouse accidentally turned an inheritance into a marital asset by depositing it into a joint checking account. We help you trace those funds to protect what is rightfully yours.
Florida courts prioritize the "best interests of the child" and generally aim for shared parental responsibility. This typically results in a near 50/50 time-sharing schedule unless there are proven safety concerns like drug use or domestic violence. The goal is for the child to have a meaningful relationship with both parents.
Child support is not a guessing game. It follows a strict statutory formula based on the combined net income of both parents and the number of overnight visits each parent has. Health insurance costs and daycare expenses also factor into the calculation.
We often help clients create a Parenting Plan. This document covers everything from holiday schedules to who claims the child on taxes. Specificity helps prevent future fights. For example, stating that "pickup is at 5:00 PM" is better than "pickup is in the evening."
Mediation is a private process where a neutral third party helps you and your spouse reach an agreement, often saving you thousands of dollars. An average contested trial can cost upwards of $20,000, while mediation typically costs a fraction of that, often between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on complexity. Most Florida judges actually require couples to try mediation before they will hear a case in court.
For couples who want to avoid court entirely, collaborative law is another powerful option. In this process, you, your spouse, and your attorneys sign an agreement to resolve disputes respectfully and privately outside the courtroom. It gives you more control over the outcome compared to a judge making decisions for you.
However, litigation is sometimes necessary. If your spouse is hiding assets or refusing to be reasonable about safety issues regarding the children, going to trial protects your rights. A reputable family law practice Orlando, Florida couples rely on will be prepared to fight for you in court when peaceful methods fail.
Divorce marks the end of a chapter, but it's also the start of a new one. The decisions you make now regarding your finances and your children will impact your life for years to come. You don't want to look back in five years and realize you agreed to a bad deal because you just wanted it to be over.
Whether you're in Altamonte Springs or downtown Orlando, getting professional advice early changes the trajectory of your case. We help you protect your assets and ensure your relationship with your children remains strong.
If you're ready to discuss your options, contact Frank Family Law Practice at (407) 629-2208. Let our family law practice Orlando, Florida team guide you toward a secure future.