How do I file for divorce in Florida?

To file for divorce in Florida, at least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for the six months preceding the filing. You file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the circuit court of the county where you reside. Florida is a no-fault state — you do not need to prove wrongdoing, only that the marriage is irretrievably broken. From there the process depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, whether children are involved, and the complexity of the marital estate. An attorney guides you through the filing, disclosure requirements, and negotiation or hearing process.

What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce in Florida?

An uncontested divorce is one where both spouses agree on all terms — division of assets and debts, alimony if applicable, and a parenting plan if children are involved. These cases move significantly faster and at lower cost. A contested divorce involves disputes on one or more of those issues that require negotiation, mediation, or a court hearing to resolve. Most contested matters settle before trial, but having an attorney with litigation experience matters if yours does not.

How does Florida calculate child support?

Florida uses an income shares model — child support is calculated based on both parents' net incomes, the number of overnight stays each parent has with the children, and the cost of health insurance and childcare. The calculation follows a statutory formula. Deviations from the guideline amount require the court to make specific findings. An attorney ensures the calculation is based on accurate income figures and that all relevant costs are accounted for.

Can a timesharing or child support order be modified in Florida?

Yes, if there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was entered. For timesharing, this might include a parent relocating, a significant change in a child's needs, or a change in a parent's work schedule. For child support, it typically requires a change in either parent's income or a change in timesharing. Modifications require a court filing and, in contested cases, a hearing.

What is equitable distribution in Florida?

Florida divides marital assets and liabilities equitably — meaning fairly, though not necessarily equally. The court starts from a presumption of equal distribution and may adjust based on factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, contributions to the marriage including homemaking, and any intentional dissipation of marital assets. Separate property — assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance — is generally not subject to division.

Is a family law attorney near Port St. Lucie available?

Yes. Our Port St. Lucie office at 1961 SW Park Place, STE 202 handles family law matters for clients throughout St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast. Louis M. Thermilus handles family law directly — clients work with him, not a junior associate.

Family Law Attorney Port St. Lucie FL

Serving Fayette County, Georgia and St. Lucie County, Florida

Louis M. Thermilus handles family law matters at our Port St. Lucie, Florida office. He earned his undergraduate degree Magna Cum Laude and his law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law, and is admitted to practice in the Southern District of Florida federal court — a credential that signals litigation readiness well beyond routine family matters.

At a boutique five-attorney firm, your case is handled directly by the attorney you hire. Louis works with clients across St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast through every stage of their family law matter — from the first consultation through final resolution.

Florida does not require either spouse to prove wrongdoing to obtain a divorce. The only legal ground for dissolution of marriage in Florida is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This means fault — infidelity, misconduct, or the cause of the breakdown — generally does not determine whether a divorce is granted.

What fault can affect is the financial outcome. In some circumstances, conduct during the marriage may be relevant to alimony determinations or to equitable distribution of specific assets. An attorney helps you understand where these factors apply to your specific situation and builds your case accordingly.

Florida law uses the term timesharing rather than custody. The distinction is intentional — Florida courts start from the position that children benefit from meaningful relationships with both parents, and parenting plans are built around that principle rather than around which parent "wins" physical custody.

A parenting plan governs where children live, how time is divided between parents, how major decisions are made, and how parents communicate about the children's welfare. Florida courts base timesharing decisions on the best interest of the child — a multi-factor standard that considers the stability of each parent's home, each parent's willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent, the child's school and community ties, and a range of other circumstances.

Building a strong case for a fair timesharing arrangement requires documenting those factors from the beginning — not after the other side has framed the narrative. Louis works with clients to establish that record from the first consultation forward.

How do I file for divorce in Florida?
To file for divorce in Florida, at least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for the six months preceding the filing. You file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the circuit court of the county where you reside. Florida is a no-fault state — you do not need to prove wrongdoing, only that the marriage is irretrievably broken. From there the process depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, whether children are involved, and the complexity of the marital estate. An attorney guides you through the filing, disclosure requirements, and negotiation or hearing process.
What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce in Florida?
An uncontested divorce is one where both spouses agree on all terms — division of assets and debts, alimony if applicable, and a parenting plan if children are involved. These cases move significantly faster and at lower cost. A contested divorce involves disputes on one or more of those issues that require negotiation, mediation, or a court hearing to resolve. Most contested matters settle before trial, but having an attorney with litigation experience matters if yours does not.
How does Florida calculate child support?
Florida uses an income shares model — child support is calculated based on both parents' net incomes, the number of overnight stays each parent has with the children, and the cost of health insurance and childcare. The calculation follows a statutory formula. Deviations from the guideline amount require the court to make specific findings. An attorney ensures the calculation is based on accurate income figures and that all relevant costs are accounted for.
Can a timesharing or child support order be modified in Florida?
Yes, if there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was entered. For timesharing, this might include a parent relocating, a significant change in a child's needs, or a change in a parent's work schedule. For child support, it typically requires a change in either parent's income or a change in timesharing. Modifications require a court filing and, in contested cases, a hearing.
What is equitable distribution in Florida?
Florida divides marital assets and liabilities equitably — meaning fairly, though not necessarily equally. The court starts from a presumption of equal distribution and may adjust based on factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, contributions to the marriage including homemaking, and any intentional dissipation of marital assets. Separate property — assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance — is generally not subject to division.
Is a family law attorney near Port St. Lucie available?
Yes. Our Port St. Lucie office at 1961 SW Park Place, STE 202 handles family law matters for clients throughout St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast. Louis M. Thermilus handles family law directly — clients work with him, not a junior associate.

Serving Fayette County, Georgia and St. Lucie County, Florida

Family Law Attorney Serving Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County, Florida

Louis M. Thermilus — Your Family Law Attorney

Family Law Services in Florida

Divorce and dissolution of marriage

Timesharing and parenting plans

Child support

Alimony

Equitable distribution

Domestic violence injunctions

Paternity

Post-judgment modifications

Advance directives

Healthcare surrogates

Trust administration

Florida Is a No-Fault Divorce State — What That Means for You

Timesharing in Florida — Not "Custody"

Serving Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast

Common Questions About Family Law in Florida