A Guide to Divorce for Doctors in Florida
Medicine can be stressful. According to data cited by Harvard Medical School, approximately one in four U.S. doctors has gone through a divorce. If you are a doctor who is considering divorce in Florida, it is crucial that you are prepared. At Williams & Varsegi, LLC, we have extensive experience representing medical professionals in family law matters. In this article, our Boca Raton divorce attorney for doctors explains the key things you need to know about the divorce process in Florida.
An Overview of Divorce Law in Florida
To start, it is important to emphasize that doctors are not subject to different laws. Divorce law in Florida applies equally to all people—including doctors. Similar to anyone else who is preparing for a divorce, the following key points apply:
- Residency: Doctors must meet the state’s residency requirement—at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months before filing;
- No Fault Standard: A divorce can be “no fault”—meaning a marriage can be dissolved simply due to irreconcilable differences without proving wrongdoing.
- Equitable Distribution: In Florida, a divorcing couple’s marital property is divided based on equitable distribution.
- Spousal Support: Spousal support (alimony) may be awarded based on need and ability to pay. It is not guaranteed in every case.
- Child Custody: For doctors who have young kids or teenagers, child custody decisions are made according to the best interests of the child standard.
Key Things that Can Make Divorce Different from Doctors
- High Net Worth
Many doctors have high income and/or high assets. Doctors may have considered savings, complex investments, valuable retirement accounts, and other property. High net worth divorces can make property division more complex.
- Complex Income/Earnings
In Florida, doctors often have complex compensation packages—including things like bonuses, profit-sharing, partnerships, and deferred income. It can make calculating income for purposes of alimony and child support much more complicated than for other salaried workers.
- Ownership of a Professional Practice
If a doctor owns a medical practice, it may be considered a marital asset subject to valuation and division. Even if the practice was started before marriage, any growth in its value during the marriage could be divided. You need to get a business valuation.
- Medical School Loans
Many doctors enter marriage carrying significant student loan debt from medical school. Florida divorce law generally treats debt the same as assets—if the loans were incurred before the marriage, they may be considered separate. If during the marriage, they could be marital debt.
Get Help From a Boca Raton, FL Divorce Lawyer for Doctors Today
At Williams & Varsegi, LLC, our Boca Raton divorce attorney for doctors has the experience that you can rely on. If you have any questions about getting divorced as a doctor, we are here to help. Call us now or contact our family team directly online for a fully confidential consultation. We serve communities throughout the wider region in South Florida.
Source:
hms.harvard.edu/news/doctors-divorce
