815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Family law is about more than just courtrooms and judges; it's about restructuring your life and protecting the people you love. As a dedicated family law practice Winter Park residents trust, we understand that these transitions are personal. You need a guide who knows the local court system and treats your family with the dignity it deserves.
Life in Central Florida is beautiful, from the brick-lined streets of Park Avenue to the quiet lakes of Maitland. But even in the most picturesque settings, families face challenges that require legal help. Whether you're considering ending a marriage, expanding your family through adoption, or needing protection from a difficult situation, understanding the legal landscape is the first step toward peace of mind.
When most people think of family law, they think of divorce. In Florida, the legal term is "dissolution of marriage," and it covers everything from splitting up assets to deciding who keeps the house in Baldwin Park.
Because Florida is a "no-fault" divorce state, you do not need to prove that your spouse cheated or abandoned you to file. You simply need to state that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." While this removes some of the mudslinging from the start, the process of untangling two lives is still complex.
This is where a skilled divorce attorney becomes essential. We help you navigate equitable distribution, which is the fair—but not always equal—division of property and debts. Whether it's a retirement account or a family business, we ensure your financial future is protected. We also handle alimony (spousal support), helping to determine if one spouse requires financial assistance to maintain the standard of living established during the marriage.
If you have children, their well-being is likely your biggest worry. Florida law has moved away from the term "custody" and now uses "time-sharing." The courts believe that, in most cases, children benefit from having a meaningful relationship with both parents.
When determining a time-sharing schedule, the court looks at the "best interests of the child." This involves evaluating many factors, such as the mental and physical health of the parents, the child's adjustment to their home and community, and the capacity of each parent to facilitate a close relationship between the child and the other parent.
Child support is another critical piece of the puzzle. It is not an arbitrary number; it's a calculation based on the combined net income of both parents and the number of overnight visits the child spends with each parent.
Why do deadlines matter in these cases?
Timeframes in family law are strict. For example, once a petition for divorce or paternity is filed and served, the other party has exactly 20 calendar days to file a written response. Failing to respond within this window can result in a default judgment, meaning the court decides the case without your input. You can read more about family law procedure and timelines on the Florida Courts website.
Not every case needs to end in a war. If you want to keep your private matters out of the public record and avoid the unpredictability of a judge's ruling, collaborative law might be the right path for you.
In the collaborative process, you and your spouse each hire a specially trained attorney. You sign an agreement promising not to litigate in court. Instead, you work with a team—often including a neutral financial professional and a mental health facilitator—to craft a settlement that works for your unique family.
This approach is particularly popular among professionals in our area who value privacy and want to maintain a working co-parenting relationship. As a family law practice Winter Park locals rely on, we have seen how collaborative law can save families from the emotional and financial drain of traditional litigation.
Family law is not always about separation; sometimes, it's about bringing families together. Adoption is one of the most rewarding areas of our practice.
In Florida, there are several types of adoption. Stepparent adoption is very common, allowing a stepparent to become the legal parent of their spouse's child. Close relative adoption allows grandparents, aunts, or uncles to adopt a child within their family. There are also private and agency adoptions for those looking to welcome a child they are not related to.
The process involves rigorous background checks and home studies to ensure the child's safety. While the paperwork can be daunting, the result—a forever family—is worth every step.
Safety is non-negotiable. If you or your children are in danger, Florida law provides a mechanism for immediate protection through an Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence, commonly known as a restraining order.
This legal order can prevent an abuser from coming near your home, place of work, or your children's school. It can also grant you temporary exclusive use of your home and temporary time-sharing with your children. If you're in a volatile situation, acting quickly is vital. Domestic violence also plays a significant role in divorce proceedings and can heavily influence the court’s decisions regarding time-sharing.
Trying to handle legal matters on your own is like trying to navigate I-4 during rush hour without a GPS—stressful, confusing, and likely to end in a delay. A generic online form cannot account for the nuances of your specific situation.
Whether you're looking to end a marriage peacefully through collaborative law or need aggressive representation in a custody dispute, you need a team that understands the local landscape. At our family law practice Winter Park office, we guide you through every legal hurdle, ensuring you never have to face the system alone.
Your future depends on the decisions you make today. Do not leave your assets or your relationship with your children to chance.
Contact Frank Family Law Practice at (407) 629-2208 to schedule a consultation. Let us help you move forward with confidence.