Boca Raton Divorce Lawyer
Experienced and Successful Broward & Palm Beach County Family Attorneys
If you are preparing for a divorce in Florida, don’t go through it alone. Even in seemingly simple divorces, things can go awry. Heightened emotions can prevent you from resolving things even when you think you are proceeding with an uncontested divorce. Having an experienced Boca Raton divorce lawyer on your side can help to protect your rights and make sure your divorce is finalized as quickly as possible.
Some people believe that hiring a lawyer for your divorce will cause it to be a long and drawn-out ordeal. This is quite the opposite actually. In fact, having an attorney can streamline the process as we remain objective. Our goal is to help you get a fair and equitable settlement and allow you to move on with your life.
At Williams & Varsegi, LLC, we are a full-service family law firm. We represent clients in Broward and Palm Beach counties for all of their family law needs. This can include contested and uncontested divorce, alimony, child support and custody, division of marital property, and more.
Going through a divorce is a challenging and emotional time, but understanding the process and your options can help ease the stress. In Boca Raton, navigating the complexities of divorce requires an understanding of the legal landscape in Florida. At Williams & Varsegi, LLC, we’re here to offer support and guidance at every stage of the divorce process.
Get Assistance with Your Florida Divorce
In Florida, there are multiple types of divorce that fit different circumstances. Understanding which pathway best suits your situation can save time, money, and emotional energy.
An uncontested divorce occurs when both parties agree on key matters like property division, alimony, and child custody. These cases move through the court system more quickly and cost significantly less than contested matters. However, even an uncontested divorce benefits from legal review to ensure the agreement protects your rights.
A contested divorce involves disputes on one or more issues, often requiring court intervention. These cases demand thorough preparation, experienced advocacy, and a strategic approach to protect your interests. Our attorneys have extensive courtroom experience handling complex contested matters.
A simplified dissolution offers a quicker process available to couples without children who agree on asset division and alimony. Both parties must waive their right to trial and alimony, and at least one spouse must have resided in Florida for six months before filing.
Collaborative divorce provides an alternative where both spouses work with their attorneys to resolve issues without going to court. This process often involves financial specialists and other professionals who help the family transition with minimal conflict.
Mediated divorce uses a neutral mediator to help the couple negotiate terms for their divorce, avoiding the need for litigation. Florida courts often require mediation before trial, and many cases settle during this process.
Common Divorce Issues in Boca Raton
Several common issues typically arise during divorce in Boca Raton, and understanding how Florida courts handle each can help you prepare for negotiations or litigation.
Child custody, known in Florida as time-sharing and parental responsibility, often presents the most emotionally charged aspect of divorce. Florida courts prioritize the best interests of the child when determining custody arrangements. Factors include each parent’s ability to provide a stable environment, the child’s relationship with each parent, and each parent’s willingness to encourage a relationship with the other parent. We help parents develop comprehensive parenting plans that protect their relationship with their children while promoting stability.
Child support is calculated based on each parent’s income and how much time the child spends with each parent. Florida uses statutory guidelines that also consider health insurance costs, daycare expenses, and other factors. Our attorneys ensure all relevant income and expenses are properly accounted for in support calculations.
Property division follows Florida’s equitable distribution laws, meaning marital assets and debts are divided fairly, though not always equally. The court considers numerous factors including the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s economic circumstances, and contributions to the marriage. In high-net worth divorces, this process often involves business valuations, investment portfolios, and retirement assets that require careful analysis.
Alimony, also called spousal support, may be awarded depending on the length of the marriage and each spouse’s financial situation. Florida recognizes several forms including temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony. Recent changes to Florida law have eliminated permanent alimony and established new guidelines that our attorneys navigate daily.
Debt allocation requires fair division of marital debts including mortgages, loans, and credit cards. Debts incurred during the marriage for marital purposes are generally considered marital debt regardless of whose name is on the account.
The Divorce Process in Florida
Filing for divorce in Boca Raton follows a structured legal process in the state of Florida. Understanding what to expect helps reduce anxiety and allows you to make informed decisions throughout your case.
The process begins when one spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage with the court. The petitioner must have resided in Florida for at least six months before filing. The other spouse is then served with divorce papers and has 20 days to respond. Failing to respond can result in a default judgment.
During the discovery phase, both spouses share details about their finances, assets, and debts. This process includes interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and sometimes depositions. Complete financial disclosure is mandatory in Florida divorces, and hiding assets can result in serious penalties.
Before a case can proceed to trial, mediation is typically required, allowing both parties to attempt to resolve issues outside of court. Mediation provides an opportunity to resolve disputes with the help of a trained neutral mediator. Many cases settle at this stage, saving both parties the expense and uncertainty of trial.
If mediation fails, the case may go to trial where a judge will resolve any remaining issues. Trial requires thorough preparation, compelling presentation of evidence, and effective advocacy. Our firm has the courtroom experience necessary to represent your interests effectively before a judge.
After all matters are settled, the court will issue a final judgment of dissolution of marriage, officially ending the marriage and establishing the rights and obligations of both parties going forward.
Specialized Divorce Situations We Handle
Not all divorces are the same, and certain circumstances require specialized knowledge and experience. Our attorneys handle a wide range of complex divorce situations.
High-net worth divorce cases involve complex asset structures, business ownership, multiple properties, investment portfolios, and significant retirement assets. These cases require attorneys who understand sophisticated financial instruments and can work effectively with forensic accountants and business valuators.
Gray divorce, or divorce after 50, presents unique challenges including division of retirement assets, Social Security considerations, and health insurance concerns. These divorces require careful planning to protect your financial security in retirement.
High-conflict divorce situations require strategic approaches to protect your interests while minimizing unnecessary confrontation. When dealing with a difficult spouse, including those with narcissistic tendencies, having experienced legal counsel becomes even more critical.
Military divorce involves unique considerations including division of military pensions, deployment issues affecting custody, and application of federal laws like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Same-sex divorce may involve additional complexities, particularly when the marriage predates federal recognition or involves children born or adopted during the relationship.
We also handle divorces involving physicians, federal employees, and police and fire personnel who face unique considerations regarding pensions, benefits, and professional licenses.
Division of Marital Property in Florida
Outside of child custody disputes, division of marital assets is one of the areas where couples tend to argue the most. Florida follows equitable distribution principles, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally.
If you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement on your own, a family law court judge will have to render a decision. This will happen after you provide testimony and the judge reviews the facts in the case. The court considers factors including the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s economic circumstances and contributions, the desirability of retaining certain assets like a business or home, and each spouse’s contribution to acquiring marital assets.
In most cases, the judge will order a fair split of the marital assets. There may be unequal distribution if it appears that one spouse tried to deplete assets, caused a potential interruption of the other spouse’s career or educational opportunities, or whether one spouse contributed to the other’s personal career or education.
Non-marital property, such as assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance, generally remains with the original owner. However, commingling of assets can complicate these determinations, making thorough documentation and experienced legal counsel essential.
Child Custody and Support
Getting through the emotions and frustrations surrounding child custody and support can be difficult for some couples. This is one of the areas where we take the most time. We understand exactly what is at stake here and why it’s important to fight for your rights.
Florida courts prioritize the best interests of the child when establishing parenting plans and time-sharing arrangements. If you can’t reach an agreement, the judge will decide on what is in the best interest of your child. This is not about what you and your spouse want. It’s about what is the right decision for your kids.
We advocate for both fathers’ rights and mothers’ rights in custody disputes, working to ensure that parenting arrangements protect your relationship with your children while promoting their wellbeing. When parents cannot agree, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child’s interests.
Parental relocation presents particular challenges when one parent wishes to move more than fifty miles from the current residence. Florida law requires court approval for such moves when a parenting plan is in place, and the relocating parent must demonstrate that the move serves the child’s best interests.
Alimony in Florida
There is no guarantee that the court will award you alimony. There are a number of factors the court uses to determine eligibility, including how long you were married, the financial resources of both parties, the earning capacity of each party, the standard of living established during the marriage, and contributions to the marriage including homemaking and child-rearing.
Florida recognizes several types of spousal support. Bridge-the-gap alimony helps a spouse transition from married to single life and cannot exceed two years. Rehabilitative alimony supports a spouse in acquiring education or training to become self-supporting. Durational alimony provides support for a set period following the divorce. Recent changes to Florida law have eliminated permanent alimony and established formulas for calculating durational alimony based on the length of the marriage.
Whether you are seeking alimony or contesting it, our attorneys will ensure that the proper amount and type of spousal support is addressed based on your specific circumstances.
After Your Divorce is Final
Life changes after divorce, and sometimes your divorce decree needs to change with it. Divorce modifications may be necessary when circumstances change substantially. This can include changes in income, relocation, changes in the child’s needs, or other significant life events.
Post-judgment matters require demonstrating a substantial change in circumstances to qualify for modification. Our attorneys can help you navigate the modification process or defend against unwarranted modification requests.
Understanding the tax implications of divorce is also essential. Property transfers, alimony payments, and child-related tax benefits all have tax consequences that should be considered during negotiations and after your divorce is finalized.
Related Family Law Services
We also handle related family law matters including prenuptial agreements, paternity cases, adoption, annulment, and legal separation matters. Whatever your family law needs, our experienced attorneys are here to help.
Serving Throughout Boca Raton
Williams & Varsegi, LLC proudly serves families throughout Boca Raton. Our divorce attorneys represent clients in established neighborhoods like Broken Sound, Boca Pointe, Camino Gardens, Royal Oak Hills, Old Floresta, Boca Villas, Boca Raton Riviera, Millpond, Boca Del Mar, Whisper Walk, Century Village, Boca Teeca, Palm Beach Farms, University Park, and the Golden Triangle.
We serve prestigious country club communities including Woodfield Country Club and its many neighborhoods such as The Enclave, Regents Square, Victoria Isles, Hamilton Place, Hamptons, Kensington, Landings, Mayfair, Princeton Estates, Somerset, Stratford Green, Windsor Bay, Cambridge Park, Carlton Place, Clubside, Coventry, and Devon Place. Our team also represents clients in St. Andrews Country Club, Addison Reserve, Boca West Country Club, Boca Grove, Boca Woods Country Club, Boca Lago, Boca Chase, Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, Royal Palm Polo, The Oaks, Polo Club, and Heron Bay.
Our attorneys also represent residents of newer developments such as Seven Bridges, Boca Bridges, Lotus, Lotus Palms, Lotus Edge, Seasons, Mission Bay, Estancia, The Sanctuary, Long Lake Estates, Le Rivage, Boca Harbour, Fieldbrook Estates, and Palma Vista. We also serve clients in Downtown Boca Raton and Mizner Park.
Contact a Skilled Boca Raton Divorce Attorney Today
Even in an uncontested divorce, it’s important to have an attorney review the marital settlement agreement before you sign. Once the judge signs off, the order is final. Making changes would involve post-judgment modifications, which require something like a substantial change in circumstances to even qualify.
Make sure your interests are represented in your Florida divorce. Contact skilled Boca Raton divorce attorneys at Williams & Varsegi, LLC today at 954-255-5655 to schedule an initial consultation at our office located at 2701 NW Boca Raton Blvd, Suite 104. Our motto is Everything Family Law because Family is Everything, and we are committed to guiding you through every step of your divorce with the knowledge, experience, and compassion you deserve.
