Divorce Laws in Florida
Divorce Advocates Serving Sarasota & Venice: 941-315-8598
Choosing to dissolve your marriage is a difficult decision, and it can be both stressful and emotional to complete the process. When you have the right lawyer by your side, however, the process can be made much less overwhelming. Our firm serves individuals and families throughout Venice, Sarasota, Charlotte County, Manatee County, and the surrounding areas.
Jump-To:
- Florida No-Fault Divorce
- How Long Must You Be Separated?
- Is Going to Court Required?
- Costs of Divorce
At Boeller Law, P.A., we handle divorce cases with the perfect combination of legal prowess and therapeutic care. Led by a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator who has also completed education in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, our approach to divorce cases encompasses a unique blend of legal skills and compassionate therapy.
With the help of our lawyer, who is also a therapist, you can benefit from:
- Successful completion of the divorce process
- Potential to heal throughout the duration of the divorce
- One-on-one attention that caters to your legal and emotional needs
Contact Boeller Law, P.A., to get started on your divorce case today.
We Provide Total Representation from Beginning to End
Our attorneys have spent more than 20 years practicing divorce and mediation law, during which time we have honed our skills in all areas of family law. We understand and respect the emotions you are experiencing at this time, and we aim to help you work through these as you also work through the legal components of dissolving a marriage. Now, we offer comprehensive services that encompass all aspects of a divorce, including but not limited to:
Is Florida a No-Fault Divorce State?
Florida is a pure no-fault divorce state, which means that the state does not base divorce decrees on any particular faults of either spouse. Many states offer both no-fault and at-fault divorces, but Florida only offers no-fault divorce. Therefore, a couple in Florida can file for divorce based on one of the following reasons:
- A marriage that is irretrievably broken – A spouse only needs to state that the marriage is broken beyond repair in order to get a divorce in Florida.
- Mental illness – If a spouse is mentally incapacitated for three years or more, then the other spouse can use this to file for divorce.
An irretrievably broken marriage is a much more common reason that couples use to file for divorce in Florida since it is often a simpler and faster process.
Does adultery have any affect on the faults? While the two faults mentioned above still apply, adultery may influence a judge when evaluating certain issues:
- Child custody - the best interests of the child will always take priority, so if the act of adultery had an adverse effect on the child, the judge may limit visitation or custody for protection.
- Property division - the way property is divided during divorce proceedings may be influenced if assets were used for the affair. This can be seen as wasteful and unfair towards the victim.
- Alimony - when alimony is determined, a judge may increase the amount if he or she feels the victim's financial status was hurt due to the affair.
How Long Do You Have To Be Separated in Florida To Get a Divorce?
There is no required separation period before getting a divorce in Florida. As long as you or your spouse have been residents of the state for a minimum of six months, you can file for divorce.
Can You Get Divorced in Florida Without Going To Court?
Couples who agree on most of the important issues in their divorce can file for a standard uncontested dissolution of marriage or a simplified dissolution procedure:
- In a standard uncontested dissolution of marriage, only one spouse is required to appear at the final hearing.
- In a simplified dissolution procedure, both spouses are required to attend the final hearing.
However, the court process will be shorter and less complicated than a contested divorce hearing.
How Much Does Divorce Cost in Florida?
The absolute minimum cost of filing for divorce in Florida is the $408 clerk’s filing fee. However, the actual cost of getting a divorce depends on the amount and complexity of the issues that need to be resolved as well as attorney’s fees. For contested cases, you can expect your divorce to be in the neighborhood of $13,000 without children being involved, and over $20,000 with children.
Additional factors that may increase the costs and duration of your divorce include:
- How willing are you and your spouse in following through with the proceedings?
- How cooperative are you and your spouse? Is the communication lacking?
- Do you have assets such as a home or business together? Trying to valuate and divide these larger assets can take time and money.
At Boeller Law, P.A., Divorce Is Affordable!
At Boeller Law, our attorneys have been practicing law long enough to know that the price tag attached to filing for divorce in Florida is off-putting to many individuals. It is our goal to lessen the burdens you are carrying at this time, and just one of the ways that we do this is by offering affordable legal representation. When you work with our firm, you will be working with a legal professional whose cost-effective strategies allow for comprehensive representation at an affordable price.
For a consultation with a skilled divorce advocate serving Sarasota and Venice call Boeller Law, P.A. at 941-315-8598 today.
Boeller Law, P.A. serves Sarasota, Venice, Charlotte County, Manatee County, and the surrounding areas. Contact us for a consultation.
