Starting a divorce action in Florida begins with filing a petition for dissolution of marriage in the circuit court of the county where you reside. Florida is a no-fault state, so the only required allegation to dissolve a marriage is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Consent or agreement of your spouse is not required. At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for the immediate six-month period preceding the date the action for dissolution is filed. Once filed, your spouse is served with the court documents, financial disclosures are exchanged within 45 days of service, and every disputed case must be mediated before any trial.

Before you file, talk to an experienced family law attorney. Being prepared matters more than filing first. Kelley Kronenberg offers confidential consultations at no cost.

Start by protecting yourself and arming yourself with as much information as you can gather. Do not agree to any terms in writing or sign any documents before speaking with an experienced family law attorney and receiving proper guidance. While you have access, gather copies of financial documents: tax returns, bank statements, retirement accounts, and records tied to any marital assets. Store them somewhere private. Make sure no one else has access to your emails or private communications; update your passwords if you have any concerns about improper access. The decisions made or actions taken in the first few weeks can carry long-term consequences. Kelley Kronenberg offers confidential consultations at no cost.

Florida bases every custody decision on the manifest best interests of the child, using the terms “time-sharing” and “parental responsibility” rather than “custody” or “visitation.” Florida statutes now utilize a legal presumption that equal 50/50 time-sharing is in the best interest of every child. If there is a dispute over time-sharing or decision-making authority, courts evaluate more than twenty statutory factors based upon the evidence presented. The outcome depends on the specific facts of your situation and how well those facts are presented in court. An experienced family law attorney helps you build and present your case the way the court needs to see it.

Florida is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital assets and debts are divided equally between the parties. Marital property generally includes all assets and liabilities acquired during the marriage (from the date of marriage to the date of filing). Separate property, such as assets owned by one spouse before the marriage that has not been co-mingled, or received as inheritance, is typically not subject to equitable division. That line can blur when accounts are commingled or when separate assets gained value during the marriage. Complex divorces often involve business interests, investment portfolios, deferred compensation, real estate, and retirement accounts. The more complex the marital estate, the more important it is to have competent counsel by your side who understands the legal, emotional, and financial dimensions of what is at stake.

Florida’s alimony law changed significantly in 2023. Permanent alimony was eliminated. Today, alimony is primarily awarded for a defined period tied to the length of the marriage, and it cannot exceed the receiving spouse’s demonstrated financial need. Courts consider the standard of living during the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, age and health, length of the marriage, and contributions made as a homemaker or caregiver. Whether you are the higher-earning spouse concerned about long-term exposure or the lower-earning spouse who needs time to reestablish financial stability, a family law attorney with experience applying the updated law can make a significant difference in your outcome.

A business started or grown during a marriage is typically treated as a marital asset subject to equitable distribution. The process often requires a formal business valuation performed by forensic accountants. Valuations are frequently contested and can be very costly, with spouses often arriving at very different numbers depending on the methodology used and what income sources are included. Common outcomes include one spouse buying out the other in the overall equitable distribution scheme, structured payment arrangements, or agreements tied to a future sale. Because business divorce intersects with business law, tax strategy, and financial analysis, Kelley Kronenberg’s family law attorneys collaborate directly with the firm’s business attorneys when these situations arise.

Florida requires both parties to exchange complete financial disclosure in any contested divorce. If you suspect your spouse is concealing income, undervaluing assets, or hiding accounts, an experienced family law attorney will use many different types of discovery procedures to uncover the truth. Tools include subpoenas, depositions, requests for business and financial records, and others. Forensic accountants are often retained in complex cases to trace funds and identify gaps between reported income and actual lifestyle. Courts take financial dishonesty seriously. A spouse caught hiding assets can face sanctions that affect property division and undermine their credibility throughout the case. If you have concerns, raise them with an experienced family law attorney.

Not without a court order or written agreement from the other parent. Florida law requires a parent seeking to move more than 50 miles from the current primary residence for more than 60 consecutive days to either obtain the other parent’s written consent or petition the court for approval. Courts evaluate relocation requests based on the reason for the move, the impact on the child’s relationship with the non-relocating parent, the child’s ties to school and community, and whether a modified time-sharing schedule is workable. Relocating without following the required legal process is a serious violation and can result in the child being ordered back. If relocation is something you are considering, talk to a family law attorney before making any plans. Kelley Kronenberg offers confidential consultations at no cost.