Millions of Individuals, couples, and families flock to Seminole County and Central Florida every year to visit Disney World, Universal Studios and Seaworld. They soon find that the county has many other charming and relaxing attractions, such as Wekiwa Springs State Park, a lovely location for hiking, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking as well as the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens to entertain and entrance guests of all ages.
Of course, Seminole County is not only a vacation destination, but it is also home to almost half a million residents, many of whom work at high-tech industries centered in the area. No matter how alluring Seminole County is, and no matter how many romantic and family-oriented attractions it provides, many of the couples who live in Seminole County, like many couples throughout the country, get divorced. If you are considering divorce in Seminole County, Orlando Family Team is here to help. Ophelia Bernal-Mora, Esq., B.C.S. and Andrew Nickolaou, Esq., in addition to being gifted divorce attorneys, are a married couple, sensitive to the problems that can occur in marriages, in some cases problems serious enough to leave no viable option but divorce.
Orlando Family Team Helps Residents in Seminole County
Both of our lead attorneys have in-depth familiarity with divorce law in Florida and both are compassionate human beings, keenly aware of the conflicted emotions involved in breaking up the family unit. We are not only well-credentialed and experienced; we also have the sharp negotiation and litigation skills necessary to draft a divorce agreement that will keep you stable emotionally and financially and make your interactions with your ex-spouse as congenial as possible.
Divorce Law in Florida
In order for a couple to legally divorce in Florida, one of the spouses must have lived in the state for at least 6 months before filing for divorce. In the majority of Florida divorces, the grounds are “irretrievable breakdown of the marriage,” meaning simply that despite efforts to resolve differences, such as marital counseling, the spouses are unable to live together in a healthy environment. The other legally acceptable reason for divorce in Florida, used much more rarely, is that one of the spouses has been declared mentally incapable by a judge for a 3-year period prior to filling.
There are two types of divorce in Florida — uncontested and contested. Even In an uncontested divorce, which, by definition, means both parties agree on the basic terms of the divorce agreement (e.g. distribution of property, child custody), it is important to work with an experienced divorce attorney. No matter how well-intentioned both parties are, a divorce agreement is a legal document and you need one of our knowledgeable divorce attorneys to look out for your best interests before you sign it.
Orlando Family Team Will Help You Make Good Decisions
In order to work out your best options, we will discuss your present and projected future needs. We will also assist you in focusing on pertinent matters you may not have considered, such as an increase in income, loss of job, relocation, health problem or disability of one of the ex-spouses, or the special educational or therapeutic needs of a child. Keep in mind, however, that you will retain the right to modify the divorce agreement should circumstances change. Orlando Family Team will remain available to assist you when and if the time comes to alter the divorce agreement.
Division of Property — In Florida, an equitable distribution state, all marital property must be divided in a fair and reasonable manner, but not necessarily 50-50. Marital property includes real estate, bank accounts, debt, investments, retirement accounts, and closely held businesses. Non-marital property consists of property owned individually before marriage, personal inheritance, personal injury damages, and gifts given only to one spouse. Gifts given by one spouse to another during the marriage, however, are considered marital property.
Alimony (Spousal Maintenance) — In Florida, there are four types of spousal support: temporary, rehabilitative, durational, and permanent and each is generally based on the needs of the receiving spouse and the other party’s ability to pay. The following factors will come into play as spousal maintenance is decided: incomes of each spouse, duration of the marriage, age and health of the parties involved, each individual’s earning capacity, and whether the receiving spouse may require further education or training to secure employment.
Child Custody — In order for a divorce to be granted in Florida, spouses must agree to a court-approved parenting plan and this is often a sticking point because of the deep bond each parent has with his/her children. Orlando Family Team knows how to protect your parental rights. Whether you end up with joint or sole custody, our forceful divorce lawyers will ensure that you have fair and appropriate parenting time.
Child Support — In Florida, as throughout the country, all parents have an obligation to support their children. This means that a noncustodial parent most often must pay child support since the other parent spends more time with the children and has more expense relative to their care.
Although most parents accept this responsibility, the amount of child support that must be paid is often disputed by one or the other party. In determining the amount of child support payments, the following must be taken into account:
- Each parent’s income
- The number of children in the marriage
- Childcare costs
- Educational expenses
- Medical and dental expenses
- Health insurance premiums
Orlando Family Team knows all statutes pertaining to child support and will make certain you follow state child support guidelines so your divorce agreement is acceptable to the court.
Contact Our Seminole County Family Law Attorney
We all know that the divorce process is full of logistical challenges and emotional turmoil.
Orlando Family Team is here to help you through the trauma with as little turbulence as possible. As experienced divorce attorneys, we are well aware that sometimes small things can become bones of contention and negotiations that start out amicably can quickly become confrontational. We want you to know that we will protect you and your children whichever way we have to. Remember — We are agile and diplomatic negotiators but are also tactically aggressive litigators when we need to be. Though the course that leads to your divorce may be unpredictable, Orlando Family Team will stand firm in defending your rights now and in the future. Contact us soon for a consultation; you’ll be very glad you did.
