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Skilled, Professional Representation For Your Florida Divorce

At 3.4 divorces per 1,000 residents, Florida has the fifth highest divorce rate in the country. There may be numerous contributing factors to the higher divorce rate, including a well-documented increase in divorces among couples over age 50 (commonly called gray divorce).

Whatever your situation or reasons for divorce, you’ll need an experienced divorce lawyer on your side. In Winter Garden and throughout the Orlando metro, you can find the help you need at C.J. Hilliard Law, P.A.. Led by veteran attorney C.J. Hilliard, our team works closely to identify each client’s family law needs and goals and then builds a customized strategy to achieve them.

Contested Versus Uncontested Divorce

When filing for divorce in Florida, you have the option to file contested or uncontested.

In an uncontested divorce, both parties have already reached an agreement on all terms of the divorce such as property division and alimony. This type of divorce is often suitable for couples parting amicably after a relatively short marriage, often without minor children. While you can file an uncontested divorce without a lawyer, consulting an attorney is beneficial to ensure all paperwork is correctly completed and filed, preventing costly errors and delays.

By contrast, a divorce is considered contested when there are disagreements over one or more key issues. Most divorces are contested, particularly those involving questions of child custody, child support and division of complex property like a closely held business. A contested divorce may need to be resolved in the courtroom, but couples can also use mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Regardless of the complexity of your case, it is in your best interests to consult a skilled divorce lawyer. Ms. Hilliard has the knowledge and experience needed to help you resolve all aspects of your divorce, and she will work to do so as efficiently and favorably as possible.

Rules For Dividing Property In Florida

In Florida, when a couple divorces, the division of marital property (typically any property obtained during the marriage) is based on the principle of “equitable distribution.” Marital assets and liabilities must be divided fairly, which does not always mean equally. Marital property includes anything acquired during the marriage, while separate (nonmarital) property covers assets owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance. The latter is not subject to division.

The court evaluates various factors when dividing assets such as how long the marriage lasted, each spouse’s financial situation, contributions to the marriage (including nonfinancial ones like homemaking), and any misuse of marital assets. Equitable distribution does not automatically mean a 50/50 split; instead, it focuses on what is fair given the specific circumstances.

Divorce mediation can give both parties more control over how assets are divided, but the division must still be deemed equitable for a judge to approve it. As a highly knowledgeable divorce lawyer, Ms. Hilliard can protect your rights and interests throughout the property division process, prioritizing the assets most important to you.

Discuss Your Divorce Options With An Experienced Family Lawyer

From our office in Winter Garden, C.J. Hilliard Law, P.A., represents clients throughout the Orlando metro area. To learn more about how our divorce lawyer can assist you, call 407-255-7607 or reach out online to request your initial consultation.