24+ Years Of Experience
frequently asked questions
Our ExpertAnswers
1
How Long Does a Divorce Take?In Florida, the fastest divorces usually happen when both spouses agree on everything early. There is a minimum waiting period before a judge can finalize a divorce, but the real timeline depends on service, disclosure, and scheduling. An uncontested case often resolves in a few months when paperwork is clean and cooperation is steady. A contested case can take significantly longer if finances are complex, parenting issues are disputed, or hearings are needed. The best way to shorten the timeline is prompt filing, prompt service, organized documents, and a clear settlement strategy.
2
I Earn More Than My Spouse and I Have Most of the Timesharing. Why Might I Still Pay Child Support in Florida?Florida child support is driven by a guideline formula that considers both parents’ incomes and certain child related expenses. Having the majority of timesharing can reduce support, but it does not automatically eliminate it, especially when one parent earns substantially more. The court looks at the child’s needs and each parent’s financial ability, not just overnights. Credits for health insurance, childcare, and uncovered medical costs can change the calculation. The key is making sure income, overnights, and allowable expenses are accurately proven and correctly applied.
3
I Bought the House Before the Marriage. Will My Spouse Have Any Claim to It in a Florida Divorce?A home purchased before marriage generally starts as nonmarital property, but parts of its value can become marital depending on what happened during the marriage. If marital funds paid down the mortgage principal or paid for improvements, your spouse may claim a share tied to those contributions. In some situations, the increase in equity during the marriage can be partly divisible even if the home began as yours. How title was held can matter, especially if you added your spouse to the deed. The outcome turns on tracing: who paid what, when, and how the property’s value changed.
4
What If My Wife Becomes Pregnant by Another Man During the Marriage? Will I Be Responsible for Child Support in Florida?A child born during a marriage can trigger legal presumptions that may place financial responsibility on the husband unless paternity is addressed correctly and promptly. In family court, legal fatherhood can matter as much as biology for support purposes. If you believe you are not the father, the issue should be raised immediately in the divorce or the appropriate paternity proceeding, and handled through the court. Your actions matter, so avoid signing documents or making statements that legally confirm paternity if you intend to contest it. There are legal procedures that may allow paternity to be disestablished in certain circumstances, but timing and facts are critical.
5
If My Wife Cheated, Is That in My Favor in a Florida Divorce?Florida is a no fault divorce state, so adultery does not automatically change whether you get divorced or who “wins.” However, cheating can matter financially if marital money was spent on the affair, because the court may consider that waste when dividing assets. Adultery can also affect alimony when it has an economic impact on the marriage. Parenting decisions are based on the child’s best interests, so cheating matters only if it harms the child or affects parenting judgment. The strongest cases focus on proof of financial dissipation and any real impact on the family, not moral arguments alone.