Why families come to Connect Attorneys
Connect Attorneys is a Miami law firm serving clients throughout South Florida. Our family law attorneys focus on giving clients clear information and steady guidance, explaining how Florida law may apply and what to expect at each stage. Every client works directly with an attorney, and we serve South Florida families in English and Spanish.
How Divorce Works in Florida
Florida law refers to divorce as the dissolution of marriage, and the process is governed mainly by Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes. Before a case can be filed, at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months. Florida is a no-fault state, so you do not have to prove that your spouse did anything wrong; in most cases the only ground you need is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Once a case is filed, the spouses exchange financial information, work through any issues involving property, support, and children, and either reach an agreement or ask the court to decide. A case where the spouses agree on everything can move relatively quickly, while a case with unresolved disputes takes longer.
(Sources: Fla. Stat. § 61.021; Fla. Stat. § 61.052.)
Dividing Property and Debts
Florida divides marital assets and debts through equitable distribution, which means a fair division that often starts from a roughly equal split but does not have to be exactly 50/50. Property that a spouse owned before the marriage, or received during the marriage by gift or inheritance, is generally treated as non-marital and stays with that spouse. Identifying what is marital, what is non-marital, and what each asset is worth is often where a divorce becomes complicated.
(Source: Fla. Stat. § 61.075.)
Alimony and the 2023 Reforms
Florida law on alimony changed significantly in 2023. For cases finalized on or after July 1, 2023, courts can no longer award permanent (lifetime) alimony. The forms that remain are temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational, and the length of durational alimony is limited based on how long the marriage lasted. Whether any alimony applies, and what type, depends on the specific facts of the marriage.
(Sources: Fla. Stat. § 61.08; 2023 Senate Bill 1416.)
Divorce With Children
When a divorce involves children, the parents create a parenting plan that sets out time-sharing and how decisions will be made. Florida law now starts from a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing is in the best interest of the child, and the court reviews a list of best-interest factors in every case. Child support is calculated separately under statewide guidelines.
(Sources: Fla. Stat. § 61.13; Fla. Stat. § 61.30.)
Filing for Divorce in Miami-Dade
Divorce petitions in Miami-Dade are generally filed with the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts and heard in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court. Procedures, forms, and filing fees can change, so we help clients confirm the current requirements for their case. Our office is at 701 Brickell Avenue in Miami, and we serve clients across South Florida.
This is general information about Florida law, not legal advice. How these rules apply depends on the details of your situation. Talking with an attorney is the clearest way to understand what they mean for you.