Volusia County is located in the east-central part of Florida and forms the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach metropolitan area. The county boasts numerous outdoor amenities for all ages, including parks, gardens, rivers and waterways. Daytona Beach and Daytona International Speedway are major attractions, along with theaters, museums, and other forms of entertainment.
Half a million people call Volusia County home, and many others visit this coastal paradise. But for families going through divorces and separations, life is certainly no paradise. Not only is your world turned upside down, but you may be dealing with a custody battle, a fight over marital property, the prospect of paying (or having to ask for) child support and alimony, and so much more. That’s to say nothing of the daunting legal paperwork and court proceedings.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. When life as you know it is about to change, turn to the compassionate husband-wife team of Andrew Nickolaou, Esq. and Ophelia Bernal-Mora, Esq., B.C.S.. Together, they form the Orlando Family Team, and they bring the experience and dedication it takes to help you work through your domestic issues. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
Handling Your Family Law Matter In Volusia County
Divorce encompasses a variety of issues other than the actual dissolution of the marriage. Among the most prominent matters that will need to be resolved are child custody, child support, alimony, and property and debt division. Your lawyer will work to ensure the divorce works out in your favor so you can move on with your life.
Most people equate divorce with contentious courtroom proceedings, lawyers shouting at each other, and bitter spouses. To be sure, many divorces do play out this way. If your divorce is contested, then a judge will have the final say. That means a stranger will make critical decisions for you, your spouse, and your children. But it doesn’t have to be this way, and many spouses find it far more advantageous to work out their differences themselves.
An alternative to the contested divorce is the separation agreement. Not only do separation agreements give spouses control over their destinies, they also tend to be less expensive and much less stressful. Orlando Family Team can explore this option and let you know if it is best for your situation. On the other hand, if your divorce simply cannot be resolved amicably, we will aggressively assert your rights and demand the best possible courtroom outcome.
Family law matters don’t only involve married couples. Unmarried partners who separate will often have to work out child custody and child support. Any couple, married or not, who is facing custody and child support will have many questions. Will I get to see my daughter? Will I have enough money to feed my son? For these and many other concerns, let Orlando Family Team help.
Common Divorce Issues In Volusia County
Married couples going through divorce typically deal with these issues:
Property And Debt Division. Florida uses a process called equitable distribution to divide marital property and debts. Equitable does not mean equal, so it’s not as simple as a 50/50 split. Instead, the court will need to consider several statutory factors relating to the parties and their financial situations. Another important step in the process is deciding which assets and liabilities are marital, and which are not. These are complex matters and only become more difficult for high net worth individuals with unusual and complicated assets. Our firm is experienced in all aspects of equitable distribution, and will work to get you the best division possible.
Child Custody. Perhaps the most emotional part of any divorce is child custody. Some parents worry that they won’t be able to see their child as much, or that the other parent will interfere with the parent-child relationship. In other cases, there are allegations of abuse or neglect. The court’s role is to make decisions that are in the best interests of the child, but of course that varies from one family to the next. At Orlando Family Team, we understand the unique challenges inherent in each custody matter, and we will build a case that protects your custodial rights while putting your child’s interests first.
Child Support. In Florida, child support decisions typically follow a set of guidelines. These guidelines consider a parent’s income, costs for health insurance and daycare, the relative custody and time sharing between the parents, and other factors. For high net worth parents, the court may deviate from the guidelines. Parents in child support cases are often concerned that either the other parent is artificially depressing or not reporting income, or is demanding high amounts of support. Whether you are requesting child support, or child support is being requested of you, we can help achieve a fair and reasonable amount.
Alimony And Spousal Support. A divorce will mean both spouses have to start over, and that can be challenging from a financial standpoint. In many marriages, one spouse has become financially dependent on the other or has sacrificed his or her career for the other partner. We also see cases in which a spouse is living beyond his or her means and demanding an unreasonable amount of alimony. The court will consider a variety of factors in awarding alimony, and there are some cases (especially those involving infidelity) in which a spouse is not eligible for alimony at all. Orlando Family Team will ensure that whatever side of an alimony case you are on, we will fight for you.
Domestic Violence. Some divorce cases are further complicated by issues of domestic violence. In Florida, domestic violence encompasses: assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in the physical injury or death of one family or household member by another. Domestic violence may involve two married partners living together, but may also involve ex-wives and ex-husbands, individuals related by blood, those living together as a family, or those who have previously lived together. It should be noted that domestic violence can also take place between parents who have had a child together, even if they have never been married to one another. Orlando Family Team is dedicated to protecting victims of domestic violence as well as those falsely accused of the crime.
Paternity. The issue of paternity is extremely important during a divorce because the man who is legally the father of a child is responsible for supporting that child and also has custody or visitation rights depending on the divorce agreement. This complicated matter is best handled by an experienced divorce attorney. While paternity tests are proof of biological parenthood, if a married woman has a child with someone other than her husband, her husband is still legally considered that child’s father, regardless of biological paternity. Also, it is worth noting that even if an unmarried father’s name is on the birth certificate, a paternity action is necessary for that man to gain recognition as the child’s legal father.
Contact Our Volusia County Divorce And Family Law Attorney Today
There’s a lot at stake in your divorce and family law case. You owe it to yourself and your future to develop a legal strategy that will ensure your rights and interests are protected. Contact Orlando Family Team today for a free consultation, and put our experience to work.
