West Palm Beach Divorce Lawyer

Top-Tier Divorce Law Firm in Serving All of Florida, Including Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie & Indian River Counties

At Sasser, Cestero & Roy, P.A., we have garnered a reputation for handling sophisticated and complex high-asset divorce cases in Florida in a discreet manner. Our qualified Board Certified Family and Marital Law Specialists prioritize maintaining our clients’ privacy as we understand the importance of keeping your personal life out of the public eye.

High-asset divorces in West Palm Beach are often much more complex as they require a high level of legal expertise, financial sophistication, and discretion.

A high-asset divorce may cover some of the following matters:

• Privately held and publicly traded business interests
• Offshore bank accounts
• Retirement funds, investments, stocks, mutual funds, and bonds
• Real estate holdings
• Inheritances
• Business valuations and/or joint businesses
• Income and asset discovery
• Cross border assets
• Marital & nonmarital property (nationally and internationally)

For the most favorable outcome, it is important to hire a West Palm Beach divorce lawyer with a successful record of resolving high-asset divorce cases. With over three decades of experience and a reputation for successfully helping A-list clients resolve their divorce matters, our attorneys are the best choice to help you with your case.

Have questions about high-asset divorce or need the expertise of a skilled West Palm Beach divorce lawyer? Call Sasser, Cestero & Roy, P.A. at (561) 693-1241 to get started.

Florida Divorce Laws

Florida is a "no-fault" divorce state, meaning neither spouse needs to prove fault or wrongdoing by the other to obtain a divorce. The only required grounds for divorce in Florida is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."

Here are the common issues involved in a Florida divorce:

• Property Division: Florida follows the principle of equitable distribution, meaning marital property (assets and debts acquired during the marriage) is divided fairly, though not necessarily equally, between the spouses. Non-marital property, such as assets owned before the marriage or inherited individually during the marriage, is typically not subject to division.
• Alimony: Florida courts may award alimony (spousal support) to either spouse based on factors such as the duration of the marriage, the standard of living established during the marriage, and the financial resources and earning capacities of each spouse.
• Child Custody and Support: In cases involving minor children, Florida courts prioritize the best interests of the children when determining custody (now called timesharing) and support arrangements. Both parents are expected to contribute financially to the support of their children, with child support amounts determined based on state guidelines.

At least one spouse must have resided in Florida for at least six months prior to filing for divorce.

Filing for Divorce in Florida

The divorce process in Florida typically involves several steps, which may vary depending on the circumstances of each case. Here's a general outline of the process:

1. Filing the Petition: One spouse (the petitioner) initiates the divorce process by filing a petition for dissolution of marriage with the circuit court in the county where either spouse resides. The petition outlines the grounds for divorce and may include requests for issues such as child custody, child support, alimony, and division of property.
2. Service of Process: After filing the petition, the petitioner must ensure that the other spouse (the respondent) is formally served with a copy of the petition and a summons, notifying them of the divorce proceedings. Service can be accomplished through personal delivery by a process server or sheriff, or through certified mail with return receipt requested.
3. Response: The respondent has a certain period, typically 20 or 30 days, to file a response to the petition. In the response, the respondent can admit or deny the allegations in the petition and may also raise counterclaims or requests for relief.
4. Discovery: Both spouses may engage in the discovery process, during which they exchange relevant information and documents related to the divorce, such as financial records, property valuations, and evidence of income.
5. Mediation: Many Florida courts require divorcing spouses to attend mediation to attempt to resolve disputed issues such as property division, alimony, and child custody without the need for a trial. A neutral mediator facilitates discussions between the spouses to reach mutually acceptable agreements.
6. Negotiation/Settlement: Throughout the divorce process, spouses may negotiate and attempt to reach agreements on issues such as property division, alimony, child custody, and child support. If the spouses are able to reach agreements on all issues, they can submit a written settlement agreement to the court for approval.
7. Trial: If the spouses are unable to reach agreements on all issues, the case may proceed to trial, where a judge will hear evidence and arguments from both sides and make decisions on unresolved matters such as property division, alimony, and child custody.
8. Final Judgment: Once all issues have been resolved, either through settlement or trial, the court will issue a final judgment of dissolution of marriage, formally terminating the marital relationship. The final judgment will address all matters agreed upon by the parties or decided by the court, including the division of assets and debts, alimony, child custody, and child support.
9. Post-Divorce Matters: After the divorce is finalized, both spouses must comply with the terms of the final judgment. They may also need to take additional steps to implement certain aspects of the judgment, such as transferring property titles, updating beneficiary designations, and modifying support or custody arrangements if circumstances change in the future.

Throughout the divorce process, it's essential for both spouses to seek guidance from qualified legal professionals to ensure their rights and interests are protected.