Understanding Florida Divorce Laws

Serving Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties with law offices in Largo, Holiday & Palm Harbor

K. Dean Kantaras is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar

Divorce laws vary substantially from state to state, and local court processes vary, as well. This is why it makes sense for Tampa residents to seek support from a divorce law firm within Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco Counties. The skilled attorneys at the Law Offices of Kantaras & Andreopoulos have over three decades of combined experience helping couples with serious marital problems find legal resolution.

Grounds for divorce

Provided at least one spouse is a resident of Florida or is stationed in Florida as a member of the armed services, either spouse can file for divorce if one spouse is mentally incapacitated for a period of at least three years prior to filing. Most commonly, couples can cite irreconcilable differences as grounds. But, the courts may require marriage counseling if a minor child is involved or if either spouse does not agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

Division of property

Although the divorce laws divide marital assets equitably during the divorce process, dividing the property is not as simple as it sounds. While marital assets are generally defined as assets and debts acquired during your marriage, anything acquired prior to the marriage may be included as marital assets if it was not kept separate. Additionally, judges look at many factors—such as economic circumstances, contribution to the marriage, and the best interests of children—when determining how the property should be divided. Tampa divorce lawyers provide critical assistance helping spouses retain important assets.

Child support and alimony

Florida law looks at the financial situation of each parent to determine who is responsible for paying child support—the court can even use a portion of assets to set up a separation trust or fund to ensure the support and education of the children, in cases of divorce and separation. The court can also order alimony when financial and other circumstances dictate that it is well-founded.

Child custody and time sharing (visitation)

When parents have not come to prior agreement regarding the living situation of the children, Florida courts make all decisions regarding the children based on the best interest of the child. All decisions are made based on a long list of factors based on the specific emotional and financial conditions of each spouse.

Tampa divorce law and legal separation

Unlike many states, Florida law does not provide for legal separation. But, the law recognizes the possibility that married couples may separate, potentially as a precursor to divorce, and it has provisions to allow for proper care for the children. When a couple separates, divorce law has provisions that allow the courts to determine such issues as child support, custody and time sharing arrangements.

To learn more about divorce in Florida, please read the following:

Contact the divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Kantaras & Andreopoulos

Tampa divorce law firms must have extensive local legal knowledge to protect your interests in an emotionally-charged time. K. Dean Kantaras is board certified in marital and family law by the Florida Bar. Those wishing to know more about the skilled representation we can offer in all aspects of family laws are invited to contact our firm at (727) 781-0000, or use our online contact form.

Our multiple offices are conveniently located in Largo, Clearwater, Holiday, and Palm Harbor, and we help clients in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties.