Winter Park, Florida is a gem in the middle of Orange County, Florida. In addition to the city’s easy access to Disneyworld, Winter Park is full of attractions on its own. Residents and visitors alike enjoy its exquisite botanical and sculpture gardens, historical and art museums, and chain of lovely lakes. Of course, like all locations everywhere, Winter Park is full of families that, no matter how idyllic the setting, sometimes require family lawyers. Fortunately for those who live in Winter Park, the dedicated family law practice of Orlando Family Team is nearby and ready to help.
At Orlando Family Team, our accomplished family law attorneys are compassionate as well as accomplished. You can count on us to provide dependable service and to protect the interests of you and your children no matter what the situation. Whether you are considering divorce, trying to establish paternity, renegotiating child custody or support, or dealing with issues of domestic violence, we are here to assist you in any way we can.
Why Orlando Family Team Is the Right Choice for Winter Park Families
Andrew Nickolaou, Esq. and Ophelia Bernal-Mora, Esq., B.C.S., our lead attorneys, are husband and wife and are used to dealing with family dynamics on a daily basis. We pride ourselves on running an inclusive family law practice, equally comfortable dealing with all kinds of families — traditional, blended, same-sex, moderate-income, and high-net-worth.
As part of this commitment to inclusivity, we are also sensitive to the unique needs of military families when it comes to resolving domestic issues. If your family is one of the many military families in Central Florida, you can feel confident coming to Orlando Family Team. We are well-versed in military, federal, and administrative law as well as in Florida divorce law and can handle even the most complex problems surrounding military divorce.
In addition to having impressive credentials and a broad range of experience, Orlando Family Team has a track record of positive outcomes. We have helped hundreds of families like yours navigate the rough waters of family restructuring as smoothly as possible, always offering them the support of astute legal counsel and, when necessary, strong courtroom representation.
Legal Services Our Winter Park Family Law Attorneys Provide
We have extensive experience dealing with cases involving:
- Divorce
- Separation agreements
- Spousal support/alimony
- Child custody
- Child support
- Father’s rights
- Division of property
- Stepparent adoptions
- Paternity disputes
- Domestic violence
Because we realize that every family’s situation is unique, we know better than to offer cookie-cutter solutions to complicated problems. We will always listen to your fears as well as your goals so we can tailor our methods to fit your needs. In most cases, we prefer to negotiate settlements to minimize stress and expense, but we are always ready to fight for your rights in court if need be.
Division of Marital Assets
For most couples, dividing marital assets fairly is a major issue. Not all property owned by either spouse is included under the umbrella of marital assets. The term “marital assets” only applies to property accumulated during the marriage, including real estate, savings, pension and retirement accounts, investments, and business interests. Marital debts are also included and must be divided.
On the other hand, some property in possession of one spouse or the other may be considered personal, not marital, property. Personal property includes assets owned before the marriage, as well as inheritances, gifts, or lawsuit settlements designated for one spouse alone.
Florida law requires that marital property be divided according to the state rules of equitable distribution, rather than split 50-50. Equitable distribution may sound easier than it is, and it
can be difficult to keep this issue from becoming contentious. This is one of the reasons it is essential to have a family law attorney who is an excellent negotiator at your side, especially if
there is a large discrepancy in income levels or if your case involves a high-net-worth divorce.
Domestic Violence
No one is likely to argue with the idea that domestic violence is the most disturbing aspect of family law, whether or not divorce is on the horizon. If you live in a household in which verbal abuse, stalking, physical or sexual threat, or assault occurs, you need immediate assistance. While you may feel alone in your misery, this problem is all too common in Winter Park and throughout the country.
Our legal team is available to do everything we can to extricate you from this frightening and dangerous situation. We will help you in any way we can, including by:
- Assisting you in obtaining a restraining order
- Getting you in touch with agencies that can provide a safe haven for you and your kids
- Modifying a child custody or visitation order to protect your children
Nonetheless, we are also aware that false accusations of domestic violence are sometimes used as weapons in divorce cases. If your spouse is attempting to use false accusations of domestic violence to manipulate divorce negotiations, we will get to the heart of the matter and stand by you to protect your reputation, your freedom, and your parental rights.
Same-Sex Family Law
Although marriage equality has been federal law since 2015, same-sex marriages may still present special complications in divorce, custody, stepparent adoptions, and cases of domestic violence. If you are part of a same-sex couple in Winter Park and need legal counsel, contact us for knowledgeable, highly competent representation.
Divorce Mediation as an Alternative Form of Dispute Resolution
For divorcing couples who agree on many issues and are seeking to divorce in a non-confrontational, less costly manner, divorce mediation may be a good option. In divorce mediation, spouses work with a neutral third party. This individual, the mediator, is trained to help both parties agree on a middle ground.
Because the mediator is not permitted to give either party legal advice, however, you should have your own family law attorney on tap to make sure your individual rights are being protected.
Contact Our Experienced Winter Park Family Law Attorneys Today
Orlando Family Team will offer you caring, responsive, and skilled legal services. Our reputation for integrity and discretion is well-earned. Contact us now so we can help you move forward into a peaceful, comfortable, and promising future.
