Different family law matters have different timelines, required disclosures, evidence standards, and modification procedures. Knowing your case type helps you understand deadlines, costs, and what outcomes are realistically available.
Note: Florida family law changed significantly in 2023 — including major changes to alimony and time-sharing presumptions. If your situation involves a 2023-or-later case or a modification of an older order, speak with an attorney about what rules now apply.
Florida is a no-fault state. Either party can file stating the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Cases can be uncontested (full agreement) or contested (court decides disputed issues). Florida requires mandatory financial disclosure in all cases.
Florida Divorce Attorney
Orlando Contested Divorce Lawyer
Orlando Divorce Modification Lawyer
Kissimmee Divorce Attorney
Florida replaced ‘custody’ with ‘parental responsibility’ and ‘time-sharing.’ Courts presume equal time-sharing is in the best interest of the child unless evidence shows otherwise. Parenting plans are required in all cases involving minor children.
Florida Child Custody Lawyer
Kissimmee Child Custody and Visitation Attorney
Florida uses an income shares model under Fla. Stat. § 61.30. Both parents’ incomes are combined and support is calculated based on guidelines, adjusted for time-sharing percentage, health insurance, and childcare costs.
Florida’s 2023 reform eliminated permanent alimony. The current framework allows bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony, with caps tied to the length of the marriage.
Establishing paternity creates legal rights and obligations for both parents — including the right to seek time-sharing and the obligation to pay support. Can be established voluntarily, through the Dept. of Revenue, or by court order.
Florida Paternity Lawyer
How to Establish Paternity in Florida
Florida offers domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, and exploitation of a vulnerable adult injunctions. Emergency temporary injunctions can be issued without the other party present.
Florida Injunction Laws
Florida Injunction Lawyers for Harassment and Stalking
Florida Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult Injunction
Petitioner Resources
Florida adoption cases can involve step-parent adoption, agency adoption, private placement, or relative adoption. Each has different consent requirements, home study obligations, and court procedures.
Most Florida family law cases require mediation before trial. A neutral mediator helps parties negotiate a settlement. Agreements reached become binding court orders. Mediation is generally faster and less expensive than litigation.
You are not required to have one, but Florida family law involves mandatory financial disclosure, parenting plan requirements, and complex support calculations. Mistakes are hard to undo — especially in orders involving children.
Yes, in some situations. The 2023 alimony reforms apply to modification requests on existing alimony orders in many cases. Changes to time-sharing presumptions may also affect pending custody matters.
Florida Bar note: This page is for general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and the best next step depends on the specific facts of your situation.
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