Marital vs. Non-Marital
What you owned before the marriage, and gifts or inheritances, are usually yours alone. But mixing them with marital money, like putting an inheritance in a joint account, can change that.
Boca Raton Divorce Lawyers
Divorce, custody, alimony and property division for Boca Raton families across Palm Beach County. Once you hire us, one attorney handles your case through the final order.
Divorce and Custody Help for Boca Raton Families
Divorce in Boca Raton often comes with more moving parts than most: investment accounts, retirement savings, a business, more than one home, second marriages or divorce later in life. Fairway Law Group helps families across Palm Beach County from our office just south of Boca in Deerfield Beach. One attorney handles your case from start to finish, works through your financial affidavit with you, and appears at your hearings, mediation and trial.
For parents, Florida courts decide time-sharing (the schedule) and parental responsibility (who makes major decisions):
- 50/50 is the starting point. Equal time-sharing is presumed best unless a parent proves otherwise (Fla. Stat. § 61.13). See 50/50 custody in Florida.
- Shared decisions. Parents usually share decisions about school, health care and religion.
- The parenting plan. Vague language like "reasonable notice" causes most fights after divorce. See parenting plans.
- Moving is regulated. Moving 50 miles or more for 60 days or longer generally needs the other parent's written agreement or court approval. See relocating with your child.
Property Division and High-Asset Divorce in Boca Raton
Florida judges start with the idea that marital property should be split equally. A judge can split it unequally only if there's a good reason (Fla. Stat. § 61.075). In Boca, the hard part is usually not the rule. It's figuring out what counts and what it's worth.
Retirement Accounts
The part earned during the marriage is usually marital. Dividing a 401(k) takes a special court order called a QDRO. Mistakes can cost you in taxes.
Businesses
A business often needs a professional valuation. In complex cases, we work with forensic accountants to trace income and assets.
Homes
Florida's homestead tax cap keeps assessed values low, so tax bills say little about what a home is worth. Get a real appraisal.
How a Boca Raton Divorce Works
Boca Raton divorces are filed with the Palm Beach County Clerk and heard by the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, in West Palm Beach or Delray Beach, with many hearings held by video. One spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months (Fla. Stat. § 61.021). Florida is a no-fault state, so you only need to show the marriage is broken beyond repair.
Step 1: Filing
One spouse files a petition with the Palm Beach County Clerk and serves the other.
Step 2: Financial Disclosure
Both spouses exchange financial affidavits and documents. We work through yours with you.
Step 3: Negotiation
If you agree on everything, you sign a settlement agreement and the judge finalizes it. It's the fastest and least expensive path.
Step 4: Mediation
Most contested cases go to mediation before trial, and most settle there. We go in with the financial work done, so you know what the numbers show.
[Divorce mediation](/divorce-mediation-when-it-works-and-when-it-does-not/)Step 5: Trial (if needed)
If you can't agree, a judge decides. We prepare every case as if it could go to trial, which also tends to lead to better settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is a Boca Raton divorce filed?
With the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The case is heard by the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, in West Palm Beach or at the South County Courthouse in Delray Beach, with many hearings by video.
What family law services do you offer in Boca Raton?
We handle every part of a Florida family law case, with one attorney from start to finish:
- Divorce, contested or agreed
- Child custody and time-sharing
- Child support
- Alimony, for payors and recipients
- Property division
- High-asset and business owner divorce
- Paternity for unmarried parents
- Modifications when life changes
- Enforcement and contempt when orders are ignored
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Is Florida a 50/50 divorce state?
For property, judges start from an equal split of marital property, but they can divide it unequally for a good reason. Non-marital property usually isn't split at all. For children, Florida presumes equal time-sharing is best unless one parent proves otherwise.
How much does a divorce cost in Boca Raton?
Filing costs about $400. Legal fees depend mostly on how much you and your spouse disagree, and on whether businesses or investments need valuing. See what a divorce costs in Florida and how our fees work.
How long does a divorce take in Palm Beach County?
An agreed divorce can take a few weeks to a few months. A contested one often takes six months to a year or more. See how long a divorce takes in Florida.
Can I meet with a lawyer close to Boca Raton?
Yes. Our South Florida office is at 1430 S Federal Hwy in Deerfield Beach, just south of Boca. Most meetings can also happen by phone or video.
Should I talk to a lawyer before my spouse files for divorce?
Yes, and soon. What happens before filing, with bank accounts, the house and the kids' routines, can shape the whole case. A free, confidential Discovery Call is the first step toward planning instead of reacting. See what to do before filing.