Jacksonville Divorce Lawyer

Dedicated Jacksonville Divorce Attorney Ready to Help You

Divorce is a difficult experience for any person. Our Jacksonville divorce lawyer understands the stress and emotions involved in even the most amicable dissolution of marriage. Our family legal attorney takes care of the legal matters related to your divorce so that you can focus on the future. 

Child Support

Divorcing couples who share minor or legally dependent children have to work out the matter of child support as part of their divorce. In Florida, the amount of child support owed is determined by legal guidelines that take into consideration all income and earnings of both parents, as well as the children’s needs and standard of living.

When calculating income for each parent, the Florida courts look to many financial resources, including the following:

• Wages or salary;
• Social security benefits;
• Interest and dividends;
• Workers’ compensation benefits and settlements;
• Rental income;
• Unemployment compensation or reemployment assistance;
• Royalty, estate, or trust income;
• Certain reimbursements of expenses;
• Spousal support, including support from a previous marriage;
• Disability benefits; and
• Retirement, pension, or annuity payments.

If a parent is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed, the court may impute an income to them and require them to pay child support based on that imputed income. In general, a parent’s child support obligation could be hundreds to thousands of dollars a month.

Determining child support under the guidelines can be confusing for many families. That is why our Jacksonville divorce lawyer will work with you step by step to make sure you understand your child support rights and obligations. In the end, whether you are the one who is paying or receiving the support, you will understand exactly how the figure was calculated under Florida’s child support guidelines. We can also help ensure that support obligations are calculated in a way that is fair and accurate in light of the facts.

Child Custody, Visitation, and Time Sharing

The Florida family courts subscribe to the belief that in most cases, children are better off when both parents are involved in their lives. The courts usually grant joint custody—i.e., equal time-sharing—to parents unless joint custody would not be in the best interests of the child.

What Does a Custody Order Cover?

In addition to deciding where your child will live, a custody order decides which parent will be responsible for making important decisions for your child. These important decisions include matters such as:

• Health care, 
• Schooling, 
• Extracurricular activities, and 
• Day-to-day matters. 

While a custody order is mainly about the child’s needs, it can also include provisions to help keep each parent safe or at peace. For example, a custody order might include provisions for exchanging the child in a neutral environment. 

The Best Interests of the Child 

Custody decisions are made based on the best interests of the child. Courts determine a child’s best interests according to the following factors:

• The desires of the parents;
• Each parent’s ability to prioritize the child’s needs over their own needs or desires;
• Whether there is any history or threat of domestic violence, sexual misconduct, neglect, or abuse;
• Each parent’s level of involvement in the child’s life;
• Each parent’s ability to protect the child from custody litigation;
• The child’s reasonable preferences if they have sufficient understanding, experience, and intelligence;
• How long the child has lived in a stable and satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity;
• Each parent’s ability to encourage and foster a close and continuing relationship between the child and other parent;
• The physical and mental health of each parent;
• Each parent’s ability to give the child a consistent routine;
• The child’s record in their home, community, and school;
• Each parent’s knowledge and ability to know about the child’s circumstances;
• The moral fitness of each parent;
• Each parent’s responsibilities regarding the child before the divorce;
• Each parent’s ability to keep the child’s environment free from substance abuse; and 
• The child’s needs.

Deciding what is in the child’s best interests can be fact-intensive and require a lot of evidence, such as school records, medical reports, witness testimony, photographs, and recordings. Our divorce attorney in Jacksonville has been handling such cases for decades. We can quickly get to the heart of what you need to protect your child and parenting rights.

When you are going through a divorce in the Jacksonville area, we understand the concerns you have about your relationship with your children. Our staff are parents, too. We know how much your children mean to you and can take action to make sure that your rights are protected. Offering skilled guidance, we counsel parents on matters like child custody and visitation (parenting plans and time-sharing schedules).Call Beller Law, PL, to answer your questions about rotating custody, joint custody, equal time-sharing, and creating a plan that will work for you.

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Alimony | Guidance from a Divorce Attorney in Jacksonville FL

Alimony or spousal support can be an important consideration when the income from one spouse may be needed to support two households. In the State of Florida, permanent alimony is no longer available, but support may be awarded on a temporary basis based on what is equitable.

The factors the court may consider in an alimony case include the following:

• The requesting spouse’s need,
• Each spouse’s resources and income,
• The length of the marriage,
• Each spouse’s earning capacity and employability,
• Whether there was infidelity in the marriage,
• Each spouse’s contribution to the marriage,
• The paying spouse’s ability to pay, 
• Each spouse’s health,
• The standard of living during the marriage, and 
• Each spouse’s responsibilities regarding a minor child or child with a disability.

Our Jacksonville divorce attorney can help you understand Florida alimony law and its nuances—working to protect your interests during and after your divorce.

Facing a divorce? We’re here to support you through every step, ensuring your rights and future are protected. CONTACT US today.

Property Division Help from an Experienced Jacksonville Divorce Lawyer

Florida law provides for the equitable distribution of marital assets and debts. In many cases, equitable distribution is the same as 50/50 distribution. However, a court may grant unequal distribution of the property and liabilities when it is warranted. To make its decision, the court looks at factors such as the following:

• Each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, to the other spouse, and to the marital property;
• Any interruption to education or career that either spouse experienced;
• The desirability to keep an asset intact;
• Each spouse’s financial circumstances; 
• Whether either spouse depleted or destroyed property after the divorce case started;
• The desirability for a spouse to keep the marital home for the sake of a dependent child and the feasibility for the spouses to maintain the home; 
• Each spouse’s actions in incurring liabilities; and 
• The length of the marriage.

Unless an asset should stay intact, a court may order spouses to sell an asset and split the proceeds. Beller Law, PL, has one of the best divorce lawyers in Jacksonville FL. We can help ensure that the property division in your case is fair and supports your needs.

Determining which assets and debts are marital can sometimes be a source of conflict for divorcing couples—as can the concepts of equitability and fairness. Also, the division of certain assets, like retirement plans and businesses, requires specialized legal knowledge. Contact our law firm to make sure that your interests are protected by our experienced legal team, including a dedicated Jacksonville divorce lawyer.

Uncontested Divorce

If you live in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, or Nassau counties and you and your spouse want a fast, easy divorce but need help with the paperwork and navigating the court requirements, call us for assistance. When clients choose to resolve their dissolution matters within the scope of the law and between themselves, they have a better relationship with their former partner and children and have overall less stress in their lives. In addition, the monetary savings can be substantial. 

To assist our clients in efficiently achieving that goal, we have set up a streamlined process to move you quickly through your dissolution. In most cases, your marriage will be dissolved within thirty (30) days of us filing for your divorce. Contact the Jacksonville divorce attorney of Beller Law, PL.

FAQ Section: Jacksonville Area Divorce Attorney

How to File for Divorce in Jacksonville

One spouse must file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the local circuit court to start the divorce process. You must meet Florida’s residency requirement, which means at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing. After filing the petition, the other spouse must be officially served with divorce papers. Depending on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, the process may involve parenting plans, financial disclosures, mediation, and a final hearing. A Jacksonville divorce lawyer can walk you through each step and help you avoid costly mistakes.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Jacksonville?

No two cases cost the same. Costs vary and depend on whether the divorce is contested, how complex the issues are, and how quickly the spouses can reach an agreement. A straightforward, uncontested divorce may only require a few hundred dollars in court fees and document preparation. However, a contested divorce involving disputes over children or property can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees and court costs. 

What Are the Filing Fees for Divorce in Jacksonville?

The basic filing fee for divorce in Florida is typically around $400–$450, depending on the county. You pay this fee when you submit your petition to the court. You may also need to pay for the official delivery of documents to your spouse and additional court costs. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a fee waiver from the court.

How Long Does Divorce Take in Jacksonville?

Divorce timelines vary depending on whether your divorce is contested or uncontested. For uncontested divorces, where both spouses agree on every issue, it’s possible to finalize the divorce in a few months. Contested divorces often take longer because the court must resolve disagreements about children, support, or property. The more complex the issues, the longer it may take. Finalizing a complex, contested divorce can take a year or more. An experienced divorce attorney in Jacksonville FL can assess your case and estimate how long your divorce may take.

What Is the Difference Between Contested and Uncontested Divorce?

In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on all major issues like property, alimony, child custody, and support. This makes the process faster and less expensive. In a contested divorce, the spouses disagree on one or more key issues, and the court must step in to make decisions. Even if your divorce starts as contested, a skilled Jacksonville divorce attorney can help you settle before trial.

Is Florida a 50/50 Divorce State?

No. Florida is an equitable distribution state. That means the court divides marital property and debts in a way that it considers fair but not necessarily equal. In many cases, a 50/50 split is fair. However, the court might divide property unequally if one spouse has a significantly higher income, contributed more to the marriage, or has greater responsibilities for the children. A divorce attorney can help make the case for what’s equitable based on your circumstances.

Can We Get Divorced If We Still Live Together?

Yes. Florida does not require spouses to live apart before filing for divorce. It’s possible, and sometimes necessary, for couples to stay in the same home during the divorce process. However, sharing a home during a separation can be emotionally challenging. It may also complicate certain legal matters, especially those involving children. Talk to your attorney about strategies for managing shared living arrangements during divorce.

What If My Spouse Doesn’t Want the Divorce?

In Florida, only one spouse has to want the divorce. If one person believes the marriage is “irretrievably broken,” the court will allow the divorce to proceed even if the other spouse disagrees. The process may take longer, especially if the reluctant spouse tries to delay proceedings, but you do not need their permission to end the marriage.

Why Choose Beller Law for Your Divorce Case?

With over 30 years of experience, Beller Law has earned a reputation for compassionate and effective representation in divorce and family law matters throughout Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Attorney Rebeccah Beller and her team take a hands-on approach, guiding clients through each step with clarity and care. Whether your divorce is amicable or contentious, we focus on protecting your future and helping you move forward.

If you’re facing divorce and don’t know where to start, reach out to Beller Law’s trusted divorce attorney in Jacksonville FL. Our skilled team is here to support you with legal guidance and a listening ear.

 

A Trusted Jacksonville Divorce Lawyer Is Waiting to Hear from You

Attorney Rebeccah Beller of Beller Law, PL, also handles clients with other types of cases, including:

• Collaborative Law,
• Prenup and Postnuptial Agreements,
• Paternity Cases,
• Guardianship,
• Estate Planning Matters,
• Estate & Probate Litigation,
• Wills and Trusts, and
• Probate.

Contact our Jacksonville law firm to schedule a consultation about your divorce and other family law needs. Our experienced Jacksonville divorce attorney helps people through often difficult conflicts so that they are free to focus on building a bright future.