Orlando Family & Divorce Attorneys
Board-Certified Orlando Family Law Attorneys Guiding You Through Divorce, Custody, and Every Family Transition
When your family is at a crossroads, the lawyer you choose changes everything. At Greater Orlando Family Law, our Orlando family law attorneys combine the muscle of a large, full-service firm with the personal attention of a trusted advisor who knows your name and your story. Divorce, child custody, paternity, relocation, stepparent adoption, and post-judgment modifications all touch the most personal corners of your life, and we treat them that way. Whether you are ending a marriage, protecting your time with your children, or building a new chapter, our team is here to move you forward with clarity, strength, and compassion.
What sets us apart is depth. Our firm includes attorneys who are board certified in marital and family law by The Florida Bar, a distinction earned by fewer than seven percent of Florida lawyers. Board certification is the highest level of recognition the Bar confers, reserved for attorneys who have demonstrated substantial trial experience, passed a rigorous peer-review process, and proven specialized expertise in family law. When you hire a board-certified Orlando family & divorce attorney from our firm, you are working with a recognized expert, not a generalist who handles family cases on the side.
Understanding Florida Family Law in Orlando
Family law in Orlando operates under Florida statutes built around one guiding principle: protecting families during periods of profound change. These laws govern marriage and the dissolution of marriage, parental responsibility, timesharing, child support, alimony, and the division of property and debt. Florida is a no-fault divorce state, which means neither spouse must prove wrongdoing to end a marriage. The only requirement is a sworn statement that the marriage is irretrievably broken, along with a residency requirement that at least one spouse has lived in Florida for six months before filing.
Because Orange County and the surrounding Ninth Judicial Circuit handle thousands of family cases each year, local procedure, judicial preferences, and mediation requirements matter enormously. An experienced Orlando family lawyer who practices in these courtrooms every week understands not only what the statute says, but how it is actually applied across the Orlando metro. That practical, courtroom-tested knowledge is where our attorneys deliver real value.
The Orlando Divorce Process, Step by Step
Every divorce is different, but the procedural path in Orlando follows a predictable framework. Understanding it removes much of the fear that comes with the unknown.
A divorce begins when one spouse, the petitioner, files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the local circuit court. The other spouse, the respondent, is formally served and has twenty days to file an answer agreeing to or contesting the terms. While the case is pending, either party may request temporary orders addressing immediate concerns such as timesharing, child support, alimony, and who remains in the marital home.
Next comes discovery, the exchange of financial records, asset disclosures, and documentation relevant to custody and support. Florida requires both spouses to complete a sworn financial affidavit, and transparency here is critical. Most contested cases in Orlando then proceed to mediation, where a neutral mediator helps the parties negotiate a settlement without a trial. Mediation resolves the majority of cases and gives families control over the outcome rather than handing it to a judge. If mediation does not produce agreement, the case proceeds to trial, where a judge decides the contested issues. The process concludes when the judge signs the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, the document that defines the legal terms of your new beginning.
The Many Faces of Divorce We Handle
No two divorces look alike, and our Orlando divorce attorneys handle the full spectrum of cases. An uncontested divorce, where spouses agree on every issue, can move quickly and affordably. A contested divorce, where disputes remain over property, support, or the children, demands skilled negotiation and, when necessary, aggressive litigation.
We also represent clients in collaborative divorce, a private, team-based approach that keeps families out of court entirely. For executives, physicians, and entrepreneurs, our high net worth divorce practice protects complex assets including business interests, professional practices, investment portfolios, real estate, and retirement accounts, often working alongside forensic accountants and business valuation experts. Service members and their spouses turn to our military divorce attorneys for guidance on the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, military pension division, and the unique custody challenges of deployment.
Our experience extends to gray divorce among couples ending long marriages later in life, same-sex divorce, default divorce when a spouse fails to respond, and simplified dissolution for couples who qualify. We also draft and litigate prenuptial and postnuptial agreements that protect what matters before and during a marriage. Whatever your situation, there is an Orlando family law attorney on our team who has handled it before.
Child Custody and Timesharing in Orlando
Florida law no longer uses the word “custody.” Instead, courts decide parental responsibility and timesharing, always guided by the best interests of the child. Judges favor shared parental responsibility, meaning both parents participate in major decisions about education, health, and welfare, unless shared responsibility would endanger the child. A detailed parenting plan and timesharing schedule must be established in every case involving minor children.
When parents disagree, the court weighs factors such as each parent’s capacity to provide a stable home, the child’s relationship with each parent, the geographic viability of the schedule, and each parent’s willingness to support the child’s bond with the other parent. Our Orlando child custody attorneys build compelling, evidence-based cases that put your children’s wellbeing and your parental rights at the center.
Child Support and Alimony in Florida
Child support in Orlando is calculated using Florida’s Child Support Guidelines, which factor in both parents’ net incomes, the number of overnight stays with each parent, health insurance, and childcare costs. The guidelines aim to ensure children maintain financial stability regardless of their parents’ marital status, and support obligations can later be modified when circumstances substantially change.
Alimony, or spousal support, changed significantly in 2023 when Florida eliminated permanent alimony. Today, courts may award temporary alimony during the case, bridge-the-gap alimony to ease the transition to single life, rehabilitative alimony to fund education or job training, and durational alimony for a set period tied to the length of the marriage and now subject to statutory caps. Because these rules are new and frequently misunderstood, working with an Orlando divorce lawyer who tracks current alimony law is essential to protecting your financial future, whether you expect to pay or receive support.
Equitable Distribution of Property and Debt
Florida is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital assets and debts are divided fairly, though not always equally. Marital property generally includes everything acquired during the marriage, while non-marital property such as premarital assets, gifts, and inheritances usually stays with the original owner. Courts consider each spouse’s economic circumstances, contributions to the marriage including homemaking and childcare, and the value of keeping the marital home for the parent who is the children’s primary caregiver. Our attorneys are skilled at tracing assets, valuing businesses, and uncovering hidden property so that your settlement reflects the full and honest marital estate.
Comprehensive Family Law Services Beyond Divorce
Family law reaches far beyond divorce, and so does our practice. We handle paternity actions to establish legal fatherhood and parental rights, relocation requests when a parent needs to move with a child, and modifications and enforcement of existing support and timesharing orders. We help families through stepparent and relative adoption, domestic violence injunctions, contempt proceedings, and family law appeals. From the simplest name change to the most complex multi-county custody dispute, our Orlando family lawyers bring the same preparation and care to every matter.
Florida Marital & Family Law Board Certified Attorney
Greater Orlando Family Law is proud to include among its team a Florida Marital & Family Law Board Certified attorney. In 2024, attorney Michael J. Vaghaiwalla was one of just seven attorneys to receive this prestigious certification from the Florida Bar. Indeed, there are less than 300 attorneys who currently hold this credential from the Bar.
What Board Certification Means
Under the state constitution, the Florida Supreme Court is responsible for licensing all attorneys who wish to practice in the state. Every lawyer admitted to the Florida Supreme Court is also a member of the Florida Bar, which is the professional organization that assists the Court in regulating the legal profession.
As part of this role, the Florida Supreme court established a Board certification program in 1982. Certification is not required for an attorney to practice in a particular field or subject. Rather, it enables the Florida Bar to recognize attorneys with “special knowledge, skills, or proficiency” in their field. This can help consumers identify specialists who can help them with a specific legal problem.
How Board Certification Works
To apply for a Marital and Family Law certification, an attorney must meet the following requirements:
- The attorney must have practiced law for at least 5 years;
- During the past 5 years, the attorney spent 50 percent or more of their time handling marital and family law matters, including at least 25 contested cases and 7 courtroom trials;
- The attorney completed 75 hours of Florida Bar-approved continuing legal education courses in marital and family law;
- The attorney passed both a written examination and a peer review.
Once a lawyer attains Florida Board certification in marital and family law, it must be renewed at least every 5 years.
What Board Certification Covers
Marital and family law is a fairly broad subject area that covers a number of topics. In terms of Florida Board certification, the State Bar tests attorneys in the following areas:
- Florida trial practice and courtroom procedures;
- rules of legal ethics, including the bounds of advocacy;
- the scope of the attorney-client relationship;
- alternative forms of dispute resolution in family law cases, including mediation, arbitration, and Collaborative Law;
- classification and division of marital property;
- spousal maintenance and child support;
- parental responsibility and timesharing;
- taxation issues affecting family law;
- domestic violence, including cyberstalking;
- enforcement and modification of spousal and child support orders;
- marital and antenuptial (prenuptial) agreements;
- annulments;
- laws affecting military marriages; and
- the rights of unmarried people living together (cohabitants).
The Strength of a Large Firm, the Heart of a Trusted Advisor
Most family law attorneys practice solo or in small two-lawyer offices. Large family law firms are rare, and that is precisely what makes Greater Orlando Family Law different. When you hire us, you do not hire one lawyer; you hire the firm. You still have your own dedicated Orlando family law attorney who knows your case intimately and will not pass you around the office, but behind that attorney stands our entire team of litigators, negotiators, and board-certified specialists. Complex problems get more minds, more creativity, and more firepower.
We are also realistic about what divorce is. Ending a marriage is rarely the end of a relationship, especially when you share children or ongoing support obligations. We work to protect your rights and interests without scorching the earth in a way that permanently damages family bonds. Compassionate at the table and formidable in the courtroom, our attorneys deliver results that serve you today and the family you will still have tomorrow.
Serving Orlando and the Surrounding Communities
We proudly represent families throughout Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Maitland, Windermere, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Lake Mary, Oviedo, Clermont, and across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake Counties. Our attorneys and staff speak English, Spanish, and Mandarin, and we offer same-day and after-hours consultations because family emergencies do not keep business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orlando Family Law
How long does a divorce take in Orlando, Florida?
An uncontested divorce in Orlando can be finalized in as little as four to six weeks after filing, while a contested divorce involving disputes over property, support, or children often takes several months to a year or more, depending on complexity and the court’s schedule.
Do I need a reason to get divorced in Florida?
No. Florida is a no-fault state, so you only need to state that your marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither spouse has to prove adultery, abandonment, or other fault to obtain a divorce.
What is the residency requirement to file for divorce in Orlando?
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Florida for at least six months before filing the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the circuit court serving Orange County.
How is child custody decided in Orlando?
Florida courts no longer use the term custody. They award parental responsibility and timesharing based on the best interests of the child, generally favoring shared responsibility unless that arrangement would harm the child.
Is alimony still awarded in Florida after the 2023 law change?
Yes. Florida eliminated permanent alimony in 2023, but courts can still award temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony. The amount and length now follow statutory limits tied to the length of the marriage.
How is property divided in an Orlando divorce?
Florida follows equitable distribution, meaning marital assets and debts are divided fairly but not necessarily fifty-fifty. Non-marital property, such as premarital assets and inheritances, usually remains with the original owner.
What does it mean for an attorney to be board certified in marital and family law?
Board certification by The Florida Bar is the highest credential a lawyer can earn in a practice area. It requires substantial trial experience, peer review, and a demanding examination, and it identifies the attorney as a recognized expert in family law.
Can I modify my child support or timesharing order later?
Yes. Florida law allows modifications when there is a substantial, permanent, and unanticipated change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, relocation, or a change in the child’s needs.
Do I have to go to court for my Orlando divorce?
Not always. Most contested cases in Orlando are resolved through mediation, which keeps you out of a trial and gives you more control over the outcome. A trial becomes necessary only when the parties cannot reach agreement.
How much does an Orlando divorce attorney cost?
Costs vary based on whether your case is contested, the complexity of your assets, and the issues in dispute. We discuss fees transparently during your consultation so you know what to expect from the start.
Why should I hire a large family law firm instead of a solo attorney?
A larger firm gives you a dedicated personal attorney backed by an entire team of family law professionals, including board-certified specialists. You gain more resources, deeper experience, and stronger advocacy without losing the personal relationship.
Speak With an Orlando Family Law Attorney Today
Family law in Orlando can be complex and emotionally demanding, but you do not have to navigate it alone. Our experienced, board-certified Orlando divorce attorneys are ready to protect your rights, guide your decisions, and help you reach the best possible outcome for you and your family. We offer a free 30-minute consultation to learn about your situation and explain exactly how we can help.
Call Greater Orlando Family Law today at 407-377-6399. We would love to meet you and help you move forward with confidence.
