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Osceola County
St. Cloud & Kissimmee Divorce Lawyers
St. Cloud and Kissimmee families come to us for divorce, custody, alimony, property division, and changes to existing orders. Once you hire us, one attorney handles your case through the final order.
The St. Cloud & Kissimmee Difference
St. Cloud and Kissimmee Divorce and Custody
St. Cloud and Kissimmee are places where families put down roots, from the older neighborhoods near East Lake Tohopekaliga to the newer communities that have grown up across Osceola County. When a marriage ends here, it affects the home you bought, the routines your kids count on, and the savings you've built together.
We serve Osceola County from our Central Florida office in Orlando, and we meet by phone or video too. When you hire us, one attorney is your direct contact and appears at your hearings, mediation, and trial. You get straight answers about your options, whether you hire us or not.
Both cities are in Osceola County, part of Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit. Divorces are filed with the Osceola County Clerk and heard at the Osceola County Courthouse, 2 Courthouse Square, in Kissimmee, with many hearings held by video. One spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months (Fla. Stat. § 61.021). See the Florida divorce process and how long it takes.
Schedule Your Free Discovery Call
Your Discovery Call is free, with no obligation to hire the firm.
What St. Cloud & Kissimmee Divorce and Custody Cases May Involve:
- Time-Sharing & Parental Responsibility. The court decides time-sharing (the schedule) and parental responsibility (who makes major decisions).
- Shared Decisions. Both parents usually share major decisions about school, health care, and religion.
- Daily Care & Stability. When parents can't agree, judges may consider which parent has handled daily needs, such as school, meals, and doctor visits, as well as how stable each home is.
- Parent-Child Relationships. The court may consider whether each parent supports the child's relationship with the other parent.
- Work & Home Schedules. The court may consider whether the proposed schedule works with each parent's job and home.
Family and Finances
What's at Stake in an Osceola County Divorce
Retirement and Savings
The part of a 401(k) or pension earned during the marriage is usually marital.
Alimony
Florida ended permanent alimony in 2023. Alimony now depends on need, ability to pay, and the length of the marriage. See alimony and try our alimony calculator.
Child Support
Support follows Florida's guidelines, based on both parents' incomes and overnights. See child support and our calculator.
Your Parenting Plan
Once it's entered, changing it takes a new court case. Getting it right the first time matters.
The Divorce Process
How Osceola County Divorces Get Resolved
Step 1: Agreement
If you agree on everything, you sign a settlement agreement, and the judge finalizes it.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
St. Cloud and Kissimmee Divorce Questions Answered
Where is a St. Cloud or Kissimmee divorce filed?
With the Osceola County Clerk. The case is heard by the Ninth Judicial Circuit at the Osceola County Courthouse in Kissimmee, with many hearings by video.
Do I have to drive to Orlando to meet with you?
No. We meet by phone or video, and many court hearings are held by video too. You're welcome to meet in our Orlando office if you prefer.
What family law services do you offer in St. Cloud and Kissimmee?
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 Osceola 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.
How much does a divorce cost?
Filing costs about $400. Legal fees depend mostly on how much you and your spouse disagree. See what a divorce costs in Florida and how our fees work.
Do Florida courts favor mothers in custody cases?
No. Florida law treats both parents the same and starts from equal time-sharing. What decides a contested case is evidence about the child's needs, so preparation matters for both parents.
My ex filed to change our parenting plan. What should I do?
Respond quickly, since deadlines start running right away, and don't agree to anything until you know how strong their case is. Many requests don't meet Florida's substantial-change standard. Gather the paperwork and book a free Discovery Call. See modifications.
Will I be punished for ending my marriage?
No. Florida is a no-fault state. You only have to show that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." See Fla. Stat. § 61.052 and our guide to no-fault divorce.
Does everything get split down the middle in a divorce?
Not necessarily. Judges start from an equal split of marital property, but they can divide it unequally for a valid reason. Property owned before the marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance, usually isn't divided. See Fla. Stat. § 61.075 and learn more about property division.
Does the mother automatically get the children?
No. Florida law presumes equal time-sharing is best for children and treats mothers and fathers equally. A parent seeking more time must support that request with evidence. See Fla. Stat. § 61.13 and our guide to 50/50 custody.
What is the difference between starting a new case and changing an existing parenting plan?
A new divorce or paternity case involving children requires a parenting plan. This is the opportunity to establish specific terms, such as exchange times and holiday schedules, that can help prevent future disputes.