Jacksonville Beach Divorce Lawyer

The decision to divorce – “Dissolution of Marriage” in Florida – often comes after months, sometimes years, of contemplation, discussion, and attempts to resolve differences. Once the decision is made, you can trust our Jacksonville Beach divorce lawyer at Problems? Pick Porter!™ to represent you with integrity and compassion. Our experienced family law attorneys have been serving families throughout Jacksonville and the Beach Cities for over 25 years.

Divorce in Florida

Florida is a no-fault divorce state. Some states require fault grounds, such as adultery or drug abuse, but Florida has no such requirement. A spouse only needs to say that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The state’s residency requirement also stipulates that at least one party be a Florida resident for six months prior to filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

Uncontested Divorce

An uncontested divorce is generally less stressful, costs less, and concludes quicker than a contested divorce. A divorce is uncontested when both spouses agree on all terms of the divorce. Even in an uncontested divorce, we will guide you through the process and make sure all aspects are addressed in the divorce agreement. A Marital Settlement Agreement is presented to the court for approval. An uncontested divorce can be finalized quickly, usually in less than a few months, and does not require your presence in court.

Contested Divorce

A contested divorce occurs when one spouse disagrees with a specific aspect of the divorce terms. The dispute could be about debt or assets, or which parent spends more time with the children. These circumstances require one spouse to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and the other spouse is served. The spouse served has 20 days to respond. If mediation does not resolve the differences, the case goes to trial, and a judge makes the final determination on the details of the divorce settlement. Contested divorce can take many months, even years, to resolve.

Terms that must be part of a divorce settlement:

• How assets will be divided. Marital assets may include homes, cars, insurance, and investments.
• How debt will be divided. Marital debt may include mortgages and joint credit cards.
• Spousal support. Support is not required but is often part of agreements, particularly if one person is unable to support themselves and the other was the financial provider during the marriage.
• Child custody. Child custody includes a parenting plan that prioritizes the best interests of the children.
• Child support. Florida has guidelines that are based on the number of children and the parents’ income.