St. Augustine Divorce Lawyer

A divorce can be overwhelming, regardless of whether it is uncontested or otherwise marked by acrimony. You can trust a St. Augustine divorce lawyer at the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter P.A. to guide you through your divorce and manage the emotions that accompany it.

Our team of family law attorneys has more than 100 years of combined experience in representing individuals in divorce cases, from simple marriage dissolutions where the parties have no children and have agreed to a division of assets and debt, to contested divorces involving child custody and support issues and complex financial considerations.

How Do Divorce Lawyers Help Their Clients With Financial Matters?

A divorce lawyer in St. Augustine will advocate for the rights and interests of the spouse that the attorney represents. For financial matters, this representation will generally include:

  • Negotiating how marital assets will be divided
  • Assessing alimony and spousal support issues
  • Reviewing retirement account assets and advising on how they can be divided in view of ERISA and other applicable laws
  • Determining how debts incurred during the marriage will be paid off

Spouses involved in a divorce should understand that Florida follows equitable distribution principles where marital property is concerned. This means that the couples will be split in a way that a divorce court deems to be fair. Often, this results in a property division that is something other than a 50-50 split.

A divorce attorney who has extensive experience in these matters is always better able to get the fairest and most equitable property settlement for the spouse that the attorney represents.

How Do Divorce Lawyers Manage Child Custody and Support Matters?

A divorce court in St. John’s County will always base child custody and support issues on what is in the best interests of the child. A St. Augustine divorce attorney can sway a court’s decision on this issue by emphasizing facts showing that the lawyer’s client is better able to address:

  • The child’s health and educational requirements
  • The maintenance of a stable home environment
  • Emotional issues that affect the child’s growth and development
  • Special considerations that may be unique to a child.

The court will also factor in each party’s financial means and earning capacity, the willingness of each parent to cooperate with child-rearing and visitation matters, each parent’s prior involvement in raising the child, and, for more mature children, the child’s preferences.

If you have strong child custody and support concerns, discuss those concerns with your divorce attorney in your initial consultation. An experienced divorce attorney will be better able to focus on your concerns throughout the process when you make your interests known at the earliest possible date.

How Long Does a Divorce Take?

Chapter 61 Section 19 of Florida’s Statutes imposes a minimum 20-day “cooling off” period following the filing of a divorce petition before a court will enter a final divorce judgment. A simple, uncontested divorce will often take at least 30 to 60 days to complete. More complex divorce cases can last a year or more, particularly if the parties have strong disagreements over property division and child custody issues. Your divorce lawyer in St. Augustine will give you a specific timeline for your case after an initial consultation and assessment of the issues that the case will address.

Pick Porter! Call a St. Augustine Divorce Attorney for Help With Your Case

Whether you are thinking about divorce or have questions about it, you can get straightforward advice and answers from a sympathetic St. Augustine divorce lawyer at the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter, P.A.

Please call us today to schedule an in-person or Zoom meeting with a divorce attorney who will be on your side.