Coral Gables Divorce Lawyer

You’re overwhelmed, stressed, and wondering how this became your reality. The divorce process is messy, your soon-to-be ex is being difficult, and you’re worried about your kids and finances. Take a deep breath – the Vasquez de Lara Law Group has your back.

We’re Coral Gables divorce attorneys who “get it” on a level most lawyers simply can’t. We know that going through a divorce can make you feel adrift. So many changes, so many decisions, and so much at stake for your future. When everything feels unstable, you need steady guides to anchor you and chart the path forward. We’re those guides.

From the division of assets to custody schedules, we’ll guide you through each step while fiercely protecting what’s yours. Our boutique divorce firm cultivates an environment where you’ll always feel understood, supported, and in control. When you need a supportive listener offering candid advice one moment, and a fierce advocate in your corner the next, our firm is here for you.

Your Divorce Settlement Impacts Your Future (And Your Kid’s)

The dissolution of marriage in a case where spouses share finances – and possibly even children – cannot be done with just the stroke of a pen. Child custody needs to be established, child support payments need to be ordered, and marital assets need to be divided.

One of the most complicated portions of family law proceedings is for both parties to agree on these types of divorce terms. There are several family law issues you may face when navigating the divorce process in Florida, and a divorce attorney can be a valuable resource during these moments.

Anticipating Future Needs

Negotiating those terms is complex due to each party having its own demands, but it’s also difficult to see into the future and decide what you might need post-divorce. You’ll have to anticipate your finances and the lifestyle your family wants in order to determine which divorce terms are the most important to you.

Marital property division, child custody, child support arrangements, and spousal support are all things that should be considered to establish marital settlement agreements that will work for you and your family. What you agree to now will affect you in the future, and divorce lawyers can review your demands and suggest terms that you may not have thought of.

Challenging Divorce Negotiation Process

Without a divorce attorney, you may end up hurting yourself during the negotiation or divorce mediation process. If the other spouse has an attorney and you don’t, you’re vulnerable because they’ll have the upper hand in any settlement negotiations. Divorce lawyers can help you obtain fair terms that reasonably end the marriage for both parties.

Unpredictability of Divorce Court Hearings

If the couple can’t agree, a family law court may end up making the decisions for you, and when you get in front of a judge, anything can happen. Florida law gives quite a bit of discretion to judges, and family court cases can have unpredictable outcomes.

Post-judgment Modifications

Once the court enters a divorce order, you must live with those terms. You do not get a second chance at dividing the marital estate. If you want to change the alimony, child support, or custody order, you must persuade the court that the circumstances have changed. That is not always easy to do.

A court will often only allow post-judgment modifications to a divorce settlement if they are satisfied that either party’s financial circumstances changed after the existing order was issued. Only then will a court or administrative body that issued the order revise a child support or alimony order.

A family law attorney can help you make your case with the court for a post-judgment modification.

Florida Divorce Laws and How They Impact You

There are multiple statutes in Florida, including marital and family law, to keep in mind when you are getting divorced.

Equitable Distribution of Marital Assets

When it comes to dividing the marital estate, Florida uses the law of equitable distribution. “Equitable” means that the property will be divided according to principles of fairness, as opposed to equality. The court will look at several factors when dividing marital property, such as which spouse earned the money, each parent’s child-rearing contributions, and the parties’ ability to make more money in the future. If the matter goes to the judge, they can apply any factor to reach a determination.

Establishing Child Custody

When it comes to child custody – or “parental responsibility” – Florida Family Law Courts will apply the best interests of the child in deciding any custody and placement matters. Again, this determination is flexible and can consider a number of factors.

The guiding principle is that the court will put the interests of the children ahead of those of the parents. Different judges may reach different results depending on what factors they consider and how they view the best interests of the children. In Florida, the court prefers that both parents have parental responsibility, and it promotes equal parenting time.

Uncontested Divorces Vs. Contested Divorce

Florida law requires a 20-day waiting period from the time the divorce is filed until the court grants the dissolution of marriage. However, the 20-day waiting period assumes that there are no disagreements on terms between the parties.

When parties agree to all of the divorce terms without the need for the court to make any decisions, this is referred to as an “uncontested divorce.” If parties cannot agree on terms, they may have to go through the litigation process to have a judge settle their family law disputes. This can sometimes take months or even years.

Discretion of Family Law Judges

If your divorce ends up in court, you will need an experienced divorce attorney to state your case to the judge effectively. Like any human being, judges can be persuaded when experienced divorce attorneys apply the facts of your case to the law and show why your custody position is in the best interests of the children or your position on dividing the marital estate is equitable and fair.