Orlando Divorce Lawyer
Panella Law Firm Accepts Cases Throughout Florida
Compassionate Orlando Divorce Support With A Legal Edge
The end of your marriage is a tumultuous time, whether it’s a welcome change or not. If you have children or own a business with your spouse, things become even more complicated in ways that go far beyond the emotional aspects of ending a relationship.
If you’re facing the possibility of getting a divorce, you need a qualified divorce lawyer and family legal support now.
Panella Law Firm puts your needs and the needs of your family first, working tirelessly to obtain the best possible outcome in your case regardless of the stakes.
Contested And Uncontested Divorces
Most divorces fall into one of two categories — a contested divorce or an uncontested divorce.
Contested Divorces
A contested divorce is one in which both parties are not able to reach an agreement on some or all aspects related to the dissolution of their marriage, like asset division, alimony payments, or child custody arrangements.
In contested divorces, each spouse will hire an Orlando divorce attorney to represent their interests, who will then go through a lengthy negotiation process on their client’s behalf. If this remains unsuccessful, both parties and their skilled legal teams will need to go to court, where a judge will make a decision after being presented with both sides of the divorce case.
Uncontested Divorces
Uncontested divorces occur when both spouses agree on all matters of the divorce without needing to take it up with a mediator or attend a court hearing. This type of arrangement requires that both parties sign a detailed agreement that outlines each point of the dissolution, which will then be submitted to a judge for approval.
Once a divorce happens, the agreement is as legally binding as a judgment handed down by a court of law. An uncontested divorce typically takes less time than its contested counterpart due to its simplified nature, but it still may require some legal advice from either side’s Orlando divorce lawyer if any issues need clarification.
Mediation
Mediation is an increasingly popular option for Florida couples looking to divorce because it can be a less costly and time-consuming alternative to traditional litigation. During the mediation process, both spouses meet with a neutral third party to discuss different aspects of the divorce and possible solutions.
They may hire their own divorce attorneys in Orlando to offer legal advice, but the goal with this type of collaborative divorce is for the couple to reach an amicable agreement that best suits the needs of both parties.
Family legal issues encompass much more than just divorce. Panella Law Firm can help with every aspect of your divorce to give you peace of mind when you need it most.
Child Custody, Visitation, And Support In Orlando
When it comes to deciding which parent should have legal and physical custody of a child, and if the other parent should have visitation, Florida courts will consider factors like:
- The safety and well-being of the child
- The relationship between the child and each parent
- The parents’ age and health status
- The ability of a parent to provide for the needs of the child.
Under Florida state law, both parents of a child must financially support any minor children after a divorce. The amount each parent will be responsible for depends largely on their respective incomes as well as things like the time-sharing arrangement, health insurance costs, and educational expenses. Seeking guidance from experienced child support lawyers in Orlando can be invaluable in navigating these financial responsibilities to ensure compliance with state guidelines and the well-being of the children involved.
- The cost of living in the area
- Any health or daycare expenses specific to the child
- Which parent the child primarily lives with on a day-to-day basis.
Each parent’s financial responsibility will be calculated, and with the guidance of an Orlando child custody lawyer, the non-custodial parent will usually be ordered to pay support to the custodial parent since the custodial parent is already meeting their financial obligations to the child.
Property Division in Florida
Property division is also one of the key issues of a divorce, particularly for couples without children or who share valuable assets. The property division process involves identifying, evaluating, and dividing the marital property into separate portions for each spouse based on what’s fair in the couple’s specific divorce case.
In general, any asset or debt that was acquired during the marriage is considered marital property subject to division upon divorce. This includes real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, and debts like mortgages and credit card accounts.
In rare cases, premarital assets may also be included in the division of property if they have been commingled with marital assets over time.
Enforcement And Modification Of Orders
A Florida court may choose to enforce or modify orders depending on the circumstances of the case. Enforcement occurs when one spouse does not comply with the requirements of their divorce agreement, such as neglecting to pay alimony or refusing to surrender an asset the court has awarded to the other spouse. When one of these is issued by a judge, all parties must abide by it or risk contempt of court or other serious penalties.
A modification of orders occurs when either party seeks to modify some aspect of their existing divorce agreement for a specific reason. Often, this happens when a spouse paying support experiences a job loss, or if one parent needs to obtain full custody over a child who previously had visitation with the other parent for safety reasons. No matter what family legal issue you’re facing, you can trust qualified family law lawyers in Orlando, Florida to help you overcome the obstacles ahead.
Panella Law Firm will zealously advocate on your family’s behalf and fight for you to get a favorable verdict so you can start the next chapter of your life. Call today at 407-602-6559 for your free consultation with our experienced Orlando divorce lawyers.
Faqs About Orlando Divorce
Navigating the legal process when your marriage is ending can be confusing. We answer some of your most important questions about getting a divorce in Florida below.
When should I hire an Orlando divorce attorney?
You should consult with an experienced Orlando divorce attorney as soon as possible if you think you might be getting a divorce. The earlier you seek legal advice, the better off you will be in terms of knowing what to expect and how to get the best possible results.
What if my spouse tries to hire the same divorce lawyer in Orlando?
If you and your spouse both try to hire the same divorce lawyer in Orlando, this creates what is known as a conflict of interest. In this situation, the lawyer will have to choose which spouse to represent since advocating for both parties in a divorce case would be both unethical and illegal.
What will my spouse get in a Florida divorce?
The division of assets and debts in a Florida divorce is based on equitable distribution laws. This means that property is divided fairly but may not always be equal.
For example, one spouse may receive the house in divorce while the other takes liquid assets. The value of both would essentially be the same, but if there are children involved, the equitable division ensures the family home stays intact instead of forcing the sale of the house and splitting both the proceeds and existing liquid assets in half.
Will I have to pay alimony after my Florida divorce?
Several factors determine whether you will be required to pay spousal support after a divorce, including the length of the marriage, the standard of living your spouse became accustomed to during the marriage, any income disparity, the employability of each spouse, and their overall contribution toward marital assets and children’s upbringing.
Spousal support in Florida is almost always temporary, so if you’re ordered to pay, there should be an end in sight.
Why Choose Panella Law Firm
We understand how challenging it can be to separate from your partner and move forward with a new life, and our team is dedicated to providing you with exceptional legal representation during this difficult time.
Our experienced team of Orlando family law attorneys possesses the extensive knowledge in all areas of family law that gives us the legal edge needed to present a compelling case and fight for the best outcome possible
From the initial consultation and paperwork filing to the final court hearing, we ensure that no detail is overlooked so you can focus on what matters most as you face the challenges ahead.
What Our Clients Have To Say
“After speaking with Huda and Mike for the first time, I knew I was in good hands. He made me feel comfortable and explained everything that was happening with my case and all the possibilities. They answered all my questions and put my mind at ease.” — Joseph
“Hands down he is the best attorney in Seminole County. He pays very close attention to details […] and I loved working with him. I will recommend him to anyone. Great job.” — Corissa J.
How Attorneys Michael Panella & Huda Saleh Can Help You Navigate A Difficult Divorce
The sensitive and complex nature of divorce makes it difficult to navigate alone. Working with qualified Orlando divorce lawyers can help ease the stress of dealing with a divorce and all the red tape involved.
At Panella Law Firm, our team can give you the tools and resources needed to pursue a successful resolution in your family legal case.
Attorneys Michael Panella and Huda Saleh strive to ensure that our clients are well-informed about their rights and responsibilities under Florida state law and how different decisions may affect them and the people around them.
We recognize that navigating a divorce can be emotionally taxing, which is why we strive to provide comfort and reassurance to our clients every step along the way.
Get The Legal Help You Need From Our Experienced Florida Divorce Attorneys
Don’t wait to get legal support when divorce is on the horizon. You need an advocate on your side who can help you move through the Florida court system and negotiate on your behalf to obtain the outcome you want. Contact our office now for your free initial consultation at 407-602-6559.
Attorney Mike Panella
For Mike Panella, the concept of zealous advocacy developed at an early age – fueled by what he perceived to be an unjust resolution in a personal family legal matter. Mr. Panella would later attribute his passion to defend the rights of those who stand accused to those inequities in the legal system he observed, and considered unjust. Before opening Panella Law Firm, Mr. Panella served as an Assistant Public Defender for Florida’s 18th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office and worked hundreds of cases in both Brevard and Seminole Counties. Mr. Panella was undefeated at trial. [ Attorney Bio ]