Are you contemplating divorce? Have you been served with divorce papers in Davenport, FL? It’s important to have an experienced Davenport divorce lawyer by your side. A divorce can impact every aspect of your life.
Our experienced attorneys at Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC can help you guide you through this challenging time. With over 50 years of experience in divorce law, we’re one of the most trusted law practices in Central Florida. We’re committed to helping clients like you develop workable solutions to protect your family.
Whether the decision to divorce is amicable or hotly contested, our team is here to protect your best interests. Contact our law offices in Davenport, Florida, to learn more about the benefits of legal representation today, or call (407) 831-0203.
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Reasons To Choose Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC for Help With Your Davenport Divorce Case
Even if you think your divorce will proceed smoothly, it’s always a smart idea to have an experienced divorce lawyer in your corner. Divorce can have a significant and lasting impact on your future. Your finances and your relationship with your kids will be impacted.
At Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, we’re here to help with every aspect. Our Davenport family lawyers have been listed by Super Lawyers as Rising Stars for six straight years. We’ve also earned a perfect-10 Avvo rating for our efforts.
When you choose our law firm, we will:
- Provide dedicated legal advice on all family law matters
- Propose fair strategies and solutions to contested issues, including property division, child support, child custody, and alimony
- Gather information and build the strongest case possible
- Help you reach amicable solutions and a fair divorce settlement agreement through mediation and ADR
- Represent you at trial if necessary
Don’t wait to get the legal representation you deserve. Call our team of Davenport family law attorneys and legal assistants today.
How Do I Qualify for Divorce in Davenport, FL?
As an initial matter, you must qualify to obtain a divorce in the State of Florida. Fortunately, the requirements for qualifying for a Florida divorce are fairly simple.
To obtain a Florida divorce, both of the following must be true:
- You or your spouse must be Florida residents for at least six months before filing for divorce
- You must reside in the county where you file for divorce
You should expect to wait for at least 20 days after filing the petition for the judge to issue a final divorce decree.
Our Davenport Divorce Attorneys Handle All Types of Divorce Cases
At Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, we handle all types of divorces, including:
- Simplified dissolution of marriage
- Contested divorces
- Uncontested divorces
- Dissolution of marriage with no children and no shared property
- Dissolution of marriage with minor children
- Dissolution of marriage with shared property, but no minor children
- High net worth divorces
- LGBTQ divorce
- Military divorce
Regardless of the circumstances, contact our law firm serving Davenport to learn more about this practice area and how we can support you throughout the divorce process.
Florida Divorce Process: An Overview
Getting a divorce can be a fast and simple process. It can also be a lengthy and emotionally charged experience. The process for obtaining a divorce tends to vary based on the complexity of the case.
To begin any divorce, one spouse files divorce papers with the circuit court clerk in Polk County. The exact paperwork required depends on the facts and circumstances.
If the divorce is a simplified dissolution of marriage, both spouses simply sign the petition and agree to all terms.
When issues are contested, the divorce process involves:
- One spouse filing divorce papers on the other spouse through the local sheriff
- The recipient spouse answering the divorce complaint within 20 days of receipt
If the recipient spouse fails to respond within 20 days, the family court judge can enter a default judgment in favor of the petitioning spouse. They can also schedule a hearing to resolve important issues.
If the recipient spouse does respond, the divorce proceedings are then classified as contested or uncontested. In an uncontested divorce, the recipient spouse agrees with the terms in the divorce petition. At this point, either spouse can request a hearing to finalize the divorce.
In a contested divorce, the recipient spouse disagrees with the terms of the divorce petition. There are multiple things that can happen at this point, including:
- The recipient spouse can request a trial to resolve ongoing issues
- The court can order mediation to help the couple resolve points of disagreement
In either case, a discovery process will begin. This is where your divorce attorney will request relevant information and start building your case. With the right lawyer, it may be possible to resolve contested issues during negotiations with your spouse’s attorney.
How to Get to Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC From Davenport, FL
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What Are the Legal Grounds for Divorce in Florida?
In the past, one spouse had to have a legally specified reason for getting divorced. Today, most divorces are no-fault divorces. One or both spouses simply states that the marriage no longer works.
In legal terms, there are two grounds for divorce in Florida:
- Either or both spouses state that the marriage is irretrievably broken
- One spouse has been mentally incapacitated for at least three years
In other words, you can get divorced even if neither spouse did anything “wrong.”
How Is Property Divided in a Divorce in Florida?
Florida is an equitable distribution state. When a couple cannot agree on how to divide their marital property, the law only requires that property division be fair – not necessarily equal.
Many factors will be relevant in dividing marital assets and debts, including:
- The impact of property division on children
- The importance of keeping certain property intact, including the marital house
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s economic position
- Each spouse’s contribution to the marriage, including household contributions
Note that property division in divorce only involves marital property. Any separate property owned by either spouse prior to divorce remains separate property. However, it is possible that separate property can become marital property, depending on the circumstances.
How Are Child Custody and Child Support Issues Decided in Florida?
Getting a divorce often becomes more complicated when a couple has minor children. Every parent in the State of Florida has certain rights and responsibilities when it comes to their children.
Agreements about child custody and child support must be reached before a divorce can be finalized. If the two spouses cannot agree, the courts will make the decision for them.
Our attorneys will work closely with your family to develop a parenting plan. If you want to fight for sole physical custody, we can help build your case.
Courts determine child custody issues based on what is in the best interests of the child. Any relevant factors can be considered in making that determination, including each parent’s relationship with the child, the family’s history, the need for stability, and even the child’s wishes if the child is old enough.
Am I Entitled to Spousal Support After a Divorce in Davenport, FL?
Most spouses do not have identical earning capacities. Each spouse contributes to the marriage in their own way. When two spouses are in unequal positions, it is possible to petition the court for alimony or spousal support.
Alimony payments are based on many different factors, including:
- The duration of the marriage
- Household and childcare contributions of either spouse
- The earning capacity of each spouse
- How the marital assets are divided
- Each spouse’s parenting responsibilities after divorce
Spousal support is often appropriate when one spouse forgoes career or educational opportunities to focus on childcare or contribute to the household.
Our lawyers will gather all relevant information that can help you establish your rights during this time. That includes proof of income, financial disclosures, prenuptial agreements, and more.
What Tools and Strategies Can Help Me Navigate the Divorce Process?
Even if you and your spouse agree to the divorce itself, it’s likely that you will disagree about certain aspects of the divorce. Still, most cases do not proceed to trial.
Mediation is a process where neutral third parties help spouses reach an agreement on contested issues. It helps the spouses reach workable solutions so that a judge doesn’t make these important decisions for them. In mediation, the results are not final until both spouses fully agree on the terms of the divorce.
The purpose of mediation is to facilitate compromise, reduce the cost of the divorce, and help the parties retain control over the outcome.
At Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, our Davenport divorce attorneys are skilled mediators. We can facilitate the mediation process and open the door to communication and compromise between you and your spouse.
Contact an Experienced Davenport Divorce Lawyer To Arrange a Free Consultation Today
Divorce can be emotional and tense, even in the best-case scenario. At Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, we’re dedicated to helping you reach the best possible outcome. Contact our team to schedule a consultation with a Davenport divorce lawyer who can help today.
Find out more about our office location. We serve in all cities near Orlando, FL area, including:
- Lakeland
- Davenport
- Pine Hills
- Winter Haven