Marriage Ends.
How It Ends Is Up To You.
A divorce, a custody dispute, or a request for a protective order moves fast once it's filed — and Florida's timelines don't wait for you to catch up. Connect with a Miami family law attorney who can walk you through your options, protect your time with your kids, and keep the process from running you over.
Florida Family Law
The Rules Changed
In 2023. Know Them.
Florida's divorce and custody laws aren't what they were a few years ago — alimony, time-sharing, and filing requirements all run under rules that shifted substantially in 2023. Knowing which version of the law applies to your case matters.
At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing, and the court will grant a divorce once either spouse testifies the marriage is irretrievably broken — Florida is a pure no-fault state under §61.052.
Florida eliminated permanent alimony for cases decided on or after July 1, 2023. Courts can now award only temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational support, capped by the length of the marriage.
Since July 1, 2023, Florida courts start from a rebuttable presumption that equal, 50/50 time-sharing is in a child's best interest — a parent seeking anything else has to prove why.
"The law changed. If your assumptions about alimony or custody are more than a couple years old, they're probably wrong."
Where Family Law Cases Start
The Filing.
The Deadline.
The Outcome.
Family law matters in Miami tend to fall into a handful of recurring categories — each with its own procedure, its own deadlines, and its own stakes.
Divorce & Dissolution of Marriage
Contested or uncontested, with or without minor children — from the initial petition through equitable distribution of marital assets.
Child Custody & Time-Sharing
Parenting plans, time-sharing schedules, and disputes over relocation or decision-making authority for minor children.
Child Support
Establishing, contesting, or modifying support under Florida's income-shares guidelines, including disputes over imputed income.
Alimony & Spousal Support
Requesting, defending against, or modifying support under Florida's post-2023 alimony framework.
Domestic Violence Injunctions
Petitioning for — or defending against — a protective order, including emergency temporary injunctions and full hearings.
Paternity & Unmarried Parents
Establishing parentage, time-sharing, and support for children born outside of marriage.
Is This You?
A Consultation Might
Make Sense If You...
Family law covers a wide range of situations — these are some of the more common ones Miami-area attorneys hear about first.
You're considering or facing a divorce
Whether you've already been served or you're the one thinking about filing.
You're in a dispute over custody or time-sharing
Disagreements about the parenting plan, relocation, or how decisions get made for your kids.
You need child support set, changed, or enforced
A first-time support order, a modification, or a parent who isn't paying what's owed.
You're facing an alimony claim — or need to bring one
A request for spousal support, or a challenge to one, under Florida's current framework.
You need protection — or you've been accused
A petition for a domestic violence injunction, on either side of the filing.
You're establishing paternity or parental rights
You weren't married when your child was born and need parentage, time-sharing, or support formally established.
How It Works
From the Filing
to a Resolved Matter.
Family law cases move through a defined sequence — how contested each step gets is largely up to the parties involved.
Free Case Review
A connected Miami family law attorney reviews your situation, whether a petition has already been filed, and what's at stake.
Financial & Parenting Disclosure
Mandatory financial disclosure and, where children are involved, parenting plan proposals are gathered and reviewed.
Negotiation & Mediation
Most Florida family law matters go through mediation before trial — a marital settlement agreement or parenting plan is negotiated wherever possible.
Hearing or Final Judgment
Unresolved issues go before a judge for a final hearing, resulting in a final judgment of dissolution, a support order, or a parenting plan.
From People We've Worked With
What They Say
"I was terrified I'd lose time with my kids just because I didn't understand the process. Having someone explain the time-sharing presumption changed everything."
"The mediation went faster than I expected once both sides actually knew what the guidelines required."
"I filed for the injunction on a Friday and had representation by Monday. That mattered more than I can explain."
Common Questions
What You Need to Know
Under Fla. Stat. §61.021, at least one spouse must have resided in Florida for six months immediately before the divorce petition is filed. Only one spouse needs to meet this requirement, and it can generally be shown with a Florida driver's license, voter registration, or a third party's affidavit. A connected attorney can confirm your situation qualifies.
No. Florida is a pure no-fault state under Fla. Stat. §61.052 — a divorce is granted once either spouse testifies the marriage is irretrievably broken, and the other spouse generally cannot contest that finding. Conduct like adultery can still be relevant to alimony, but it isn't a ground for the divorce itself.
Yes. Under SB 1416, effective July 1, 2023, Fla. Stat. §61.08 no longer allows permanent alimony for cases decided on or after that date. Courts can now award only temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational alimony, with durational support capped at a percentage of the marriage's length. Talk through what that means for your case.
Since July 1, 2023, Fla. Stat. §61.13 creates a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing is in a child's best interest. A parent who wants a different arrangement has to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that equal time-sharing isn't in the child's best interest. A connected attorney can walk through your parenting plan options.
Florida uses the income-shares model in Fla. Stat. §61.30. Both parents' net monthly incomes are combined, a base support amount is pulled from the statutory guideline table, and the obligation is allocated between parents based on their share of that combined income and each parent's overnights with the child.
Under Fla. Stat. §741.30, a person who is a victim of domestic violence, or has reasonable cause to believe they're in imminent danger of becoming one, can file a verified petition in circuit court. There's no minimum residency requirement, and a temporary injunction can be issued the same day pending a full hearing. Start the conversation now if you need protection.
The Clock Is Already
Running. Use It Well.
A confidential case review about your divorce, custody, or family law situation — no pressure, no obligation.