Florida

Marriage & Family Law Home

How is Alimony Granted?

In the state of Florida, a court may grant alimony payments to be made to either party of a divorce agreement dependent on several deciding factors. ....... Click here to get more info on Alimony

What Deductions are Considered in Calculating Child Support?

Once you determine the combined gross income, you subtract allowable deductions which include items such as:

• federal, state and local taxes



• mandatory union dues and retirement benefits



• health insurance premiums

The Court’s Ability to Deviate from Child Support Guidelines

The amount of child support provided is presumed to be correct unless the court decides to deviate from the calculated amount.

If the court wants to deviate from the amount of support in the guidelines by an amount greater than 5%, the court can do so if it makes written findings explaining why ....... Click here to get more info on Child Support

How is Custody Handled in Regards to Domestic Violence Cases?

If the court accepts evidence of prior or pending actions regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect, the court must specifically acknowledge in writing that such evidence was considered when evaluating the best interests of the child. ....... Click here to get more info on Custody

What are the Requirements for Divorce?

For the state of Florida, the divorce law is more straightforward than other states. ....... Click here to get more info on Divorce

What are the Criteria in Granting Visitation Rights?

In Florida, a biological parent of a minor child may request visitation rights as part of an open divorce, parentage or custody case. When reviewing a request for visitation, the court will base their decision on whether granting a parent visitation would be in the "best interests of the child. Under the relevant custody statute the court "shall consider the totality of the circumstances affecting the mental and emotional well-being of the minor child."

Grandparents are allowed visitation, however, they may only obtain visitation rights if it is in the child's best interest and:

(1) the marriage of the child's parents has been dissolved

(2) a parent has deserted a child

(3) the child was born out of wedlock.

....... Click here to get more info on Visitation

How does Equitable Division Work?

Under Florida law, marital property is that which is acquired or is a direct result of the labor and investments of the parties during the marriage is subject to equitable division. Equitable division does not mean marital property is divided equally, it is divided in manner that results in a fair or equitable result for each spouse.

Courts will consider the following:

• the contribution to the marital assets of each party including contributions to the care and education of the children and services as homemaker
• the economic circumstances of the parties
• the len ....... Click here to get more info on Property Division