Property
Judges start from an equal split of marital property. See Fla. Stat. § 61.075. The home is often the biggest asset. See who keeps the house.
Orange County
Orlando Divorce Lawyers
From our Orlando office, we represent families across Orange County and the surrounding area in divorce, custody, child support, alimony and property division. Once you hire us, one attorney handles your case through the final order.
The Orlando Difference
Divorce and Custody Help for Orlando Families
Our Central Florida office is at 722 W Smith Street in Orlando, just northwest of downtown. A divorce touches everything at once: where you'll live, when you'll see your kids, and what your finances look like next year. Our first job is to give you a clear picture of all of it, so you can make decisions instead of reacting to them.
Orlando divorces are filed with the Orange County Clerk of Courts and heard by the Ninth Judicial Circuit at the Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, with many hearings held by video. One spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months (Fla. Stat. § 61.021), and you don't need to prove fault. See the Florida divorce process.
Schedule Your Free Discovery Call
Your Discovery Call is free, with no obligation to hire the firm.
What Orlando Divorce & Custody Cases May Involve:
- 50/50 Time-Sharing. Equal time-sharing is presumed best unless a parent proves otherwise (Fla. Stat. § 61.13).
- Parental Responsibility. Parents usually share decisions about school, health care, and religion.
- Parenting Plans. Every case involving children requires a parenting plan.
- Work Schedules. Hospitality, theme park, healthcare, and aviation jobs can involve nights, weekends, rotating shifts, and holidays. Parenting plans can be built around real schedules.
- Relocation. Moving 50 miles or more for 60 days or longer generally requires written agreement or court approval.
Property and Support
What's at Stake in an Orange County Divorce
Alimony
Florida ended permanent alimony in 2023. Support now depends on need, ability to pay and the length of the marriage. Try our alimony calculator.
Child Support
Set by statewide guidelines based on both incomes and overnights. Try our child support calculator.
Businesses and Complex Income
Tips, commissions, shift differentials and business income take real work to document. See divorce with a business.
The Divorce Process
How Orlando Divorces Get Resolved
Step 1: Agreement
If you agree on everything, you sign a settlement agreement and the judge finalizes it. It's the fastest and least expensive path.
Step 2: Mediation
Most contested cases go to mediation before trial, and most settle there. See our guide to divorce mediation.
Step 3: Trial
If you can't agree, a judge decides. We prepare every case as if it could go to trial, which also tends to produce better settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orlando Divorce Questions Answered
Where is an Orlando divorce filed?
With the Orange County Clerk of Courts. The case is heard by the Ninth Judicial Circuit, with family hearings at the Orange County Courthouse downtown or by video.
Can I meet with a lawyer in person in Orlando?
Yes. Our Central Florida office is at 722 W Smith Street in Orlando. We also meet by phone or video if that's easier.
What family law services do you offer in Orlando?
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
How long does a divorce take in Orange 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, depending on the court's calendar. See how long a divorce takes.
How much does a divorce cost in Orlando?
Filing costs about $400. Legal fees depend mostly on how much you and your spouse disagree. See what a divorce costs and how our fees work.
We just moved to Orlando. Can we get divorced here?
Only if one of you has lived in Florida for at least six months before filing. If you haven't reached six months yet, the timing of your filing matters. It's worth a quick conversation before either of you files anywhere.
I was just served with divorce papers. What should I do first?
Don't wait. You generally have 20 days to respond, and the first month sets the tone for the whole case. Read what the first month looks like, then book a free Discovery Call before you respond.