Our firm will guide you through the divorce process with empathy and understanding. We will be with you through each step of your case. You can count on our firm to handle the demands of a divorce action. With your input and information, we will work together to make the process as easy as possible while you get on with your life.
Under Florida law, divorce is a no-fault action. This means you do not need a reason or consent from your spouse to get divorced. To file for divorce in Florida, you or your spouse must have been a resident of the State for at least six months before filing the Petition for divorce. If you have been a resident for at least six months, and your marriage is irretrievably broken, then you can get a divorce in Florida. Your divorce may be either uncontested or contested.
Uncontested means you and your spouse have come to an Agreement on all the terms of your divorce. This must include an agreement on the division of assets and debt, custody and visitation, child support (if there are children of the marriage), and alimony. Contested means you and your spouse disagree on the terms of your divorce, and a divorce action will become necessary for the court to determine those issues.
If you and your spouse have children, the issue involving time-sharing and parental responsibility will be a part of the proceeding. Issues such as child support and when the children live or visit with which parent arise.
Parents going through a divorce will be required to enter into a Parenting Plan. This Plan determines the day-to-day responsibilities of the parents for the children. The Plan also determines a daily/weekly/monthly time-sharing schedule and a holiday schedule. The Plan also determines questions that may arise over the issues that affect a child's life, for instance, their education, religious upbringing, non-emergency medical decisions, and extra-curricular activities.
The Florida courts can award "Shared Parental Responsibility," award one of the parties "Sole Parental Responsibility." Generally, the courts prefer shared parental responsibility.
Parental Responsibility is a court-ordered relationship in which both parents have full parental rights and responsibilities concerning the children. This assumes that both parents will confer with each other so that decisions affecting the children's welfare will be determined jointly.
Sole Parental Responsibility is a court-ordered relationship in which one parent makes decisions regarding the minor child without consulting the other parent.
As an option, the court can order shared parental responsibility with ultimate responsibility over one or more aspects of the child's life to one parent or divided between the parents.
Note that determining parental responsibility is separate from the parental time-sharing schedule. A time-sharing schedule refers to the time the child will be spending with each parent and details where the child will be living from day to day during the year.
Every state is different with regard to how the state handles the division of assets and debts in a divorce. In Florida, the law requires that the division of assets and liabilities in a divorce case is equitable (fair) in value. Real, tangible, and intangible property (such as a house, bank accounts, retirement accounts, art collection, stocks, jewelry) accumulated during the marriage, and debts (credit cards, mortgages, taxes, etc.) accumulated during the marriage will be divided between the parties so that each person receives an equitable (fair) value of the marital estate.
To be equitable, it's important to have a clear picture of each asset's value and each debt. Sometimes it's necessary to hire a forensic accountant or property appraiser to provide real, actual values of the assets and liabilities. Once the firm knows the actual value of the assets and liabilities accumulated during the marriage, we need to determine what you would like to keep and what you do not want. This is your list of preferred assets and liabilities that you would like to retain in your divorce.
In Florida, the same laws apply to divorces that involve service members as they do to civilians. There are generally some complications that may arise if you or your spouse are in military services. These can be jurisdiction issues if the service member is deployed in another country. Other issues include valuations of military compensation packages, pension plans, and property division laws.
Lisa York, Attorney, and Counselor at Law, P.L. will be there every step of the way to assist you through the issues that can arise in a divorce involving a military service member.
Call Lisa York, Attorney and Counselor at Law, today! Get an appointment to talk to an experienced family law attorney about your divorce case.
- Ed W.
““Ms. Lisa has helped me and my family in custody matters and divorce proceedings. We can’t say enough about Ms. Lisa and her staff. They are the best! They are very professional and will work on every detail of your case, giving you the best information and legal advice for you and your family.”
- Shelly D.
““Lisa is informed, confident, and prepared.”
- S. Malone
““They get the job done and stay on top of everything. Great with explaining what's going on, what's next, and what to look forward to next. Will recommend them to anybody that needs help they are 1st I would call.”
- S. Malone
““An awesome attorney. Very professional. She helped me through my divorce. Thanks for all you and team do.”
- Posted by anonymous on avvo.com
““Lisa York represented me in a criminal case. It was my first time being in trouble, so I really needed some help navigating the legal system and defending myself. Lisa was there for me every step of the way. She was really great about staying in touch with me to keep me updated on my case. I felt very comfortable about having her represent me because she knows many people in the local courts. Transparency in billing is another benefit.”
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““I would just simply like to state, having never dealt with the legal system ... it was not simple ... Lisa was upfront, honest, kind and warm from the first meeting. I would highly recommend her to anyone that is in need of more than just an attorney.”
- Posted by Melanise on avvo.com
““My lawyer Lisa York is the BEST in PENSACOLA, FL!! I loved meeting with Mrs. York because she cares and she made a big difference in my life. Mrs. York asked all the right questions and was straight forward with me. A lawyer that keeps you informed about your case and not blowing smoke (100 points)... Mrs. York is the lawyer you need to defend you. Thank you!”
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““Lisa York is an inspiration to women of domestic violence. She is a blessing, full of compassion and kindness, all while being a great attorney.”
- Posted by Jennifer on avvo.com
““Lisa York is an amazing attorney!! I hired Lisa for a custody case and she went above and beyond for me and my family. I would recommend her to anyone that may be in the middle of a custody battle. Lisa York is, in my personal opinion, one of the best. She will forever have a place in my heart for all her hard work.”
- Posted by Dave on avvo.com
““Very appreciative of Lisa efforts because she researched whether or not she could help me before charging me a consult fee. This is a very unique thing in the legal world since most lawyers want money up front before talking with you. As it turns out, my issue was outside of her lane and she was able to point me in the right direction. Thank you.”
- C. Leggett
““Lisa was a great attorney! Very knowledgable, professional and extremely helpful. I would definitely hire her again.”
- M. Hollida
““Lisa went above and beyond to help me with my family's probate and legal documents. She was very accessible and communicated clearly with each step in the process. Her professionalism, combined with genuine concern and kindness toward my family, was very much appreciated. I recommend her highly.”
- Jonathan
““Lisa is awesome. I recommend her highly.”
"MAKE A DECISION, CROSS THE BRIDGE."
- LIFE
"MAKE A DECISION, CROSS THE BRIDGE."
- LIFE
"MAKE A DECISION, CROSS THE BRIDGE."
- LIFE
"MAKE A DECISION, CROSS THE BRIDGE."
- LIFE
“I want my firm to be a place where clients feel that their needs are met, their voices are heard, their questions answered, and their problems dealt with. We’ll take it from here. We want to be the bridge between our client’s problems and a solution.“
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