Broward County Contested Divorce Attorney

Divorce does not always follow a cooperative path. When spouses cannot agree on how to divide property, who will have primary custody of the children, or whether spousal support should be paid, the case becomes contested, and the legal process looks very different from an amicable resolution. A Broward County contested divorce attorney provides the kind of focused, thorough representation that a disputed dissolution actually demands, from the first filing through hearings, discovery, and, if necessary, trial before a circuit court judge.

Contested divorces filed in Broward County move through the Family Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court, located at the Broward County Courthouse on 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale. This court handles property disputes, parenting plan disagreements, alimony determinations, and business valuation fights that arise when spouses cannot resolve their differences on their own. The local rules, local judges, and local procedural culture all shape how a contested case unfolds, and knowing that environment matters.

The volume and diversity of Broward County, home to cities ranging from Fort Lauderdale to Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Deerfield Beach, and dozens of communities in between, means these courts see a wide range of contested divorce scenarios. High-asset disputes involving waterfront properties, investment portfolios, and business interests sit alongside cases where parents are fighting over parenting time and relocation. What every contested case shares is the need for precise legal work, credible advocacy, and a clear strategy before the first hearing date.

What Drives a Divorce Case into Contested Territory

Contested divorces usually begin with a fundamental disagreement, but they rarely stay simple. One spouse may file for divorce and serve the other, who then files a counter-petition disputing nearly every term the first spouse proposed. Or both parties may initially attempt mediation and find that the gap between their positions cannot be closed without court intervention. Either way, once a case is contested, both sides are bound by formal discovery rules, court deadlines, and the possibility of a final hearing where a judge, not the parties, decides the outcome.

Several conditions typically push a Broward County divorce into contested proceedings. Disagreements over real property are among the most common, especially in a county where home values, rental portfolios, and waterfront assets represent significant wealth. Parenting time disputes arise frequently when one parent plans to relocate, when one parent has concerns about the other’s fitness, or when children are old enough to express preferences that conflict with a parent’s proposed schedule. Business ownership adds another layer of complexity, requiring forensic accounting to value the asset and determine what portion, if any, is marital. Contested alimony claims, now governed by Florida’s post-2023 framework that eliminated permanent alimony, often hinge on earning capacity analyses and the length of the marriage.

What Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. Brings to a Contested Divorce Case

At Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A., the firm’s practice is built around family law and mediation, with offices serving clients in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding Broward County area. That singular focus means the firm handles the full spectrum of family law disputes, from cooperative uncontested resolutions to fully litigated contested proceedings. Clients dealing with the latter benefit from an attorney who understands both sides of the table, someone familiar with how mediation works when it does succeed, and equally prepared to present a well-developed case when it does not.

The firm’s approach centers on practical, clear-headed representation rather than escalating conflict for its own sake. That matters in Broward County contested divorces, where litigation costs accumulate quickly and decisions made early in the case, like how discovery is conducted or how a parenting proposal is framed, shape outcomes at trial. Whether the dispute involves equitable distribution of assets, a contested parenting plan, or a disagreement over the appropriate level and duration of spousal support, the goal is a legally sound resolution that actually reflects the client’s priorities.

Core Issues in Broward County Contested Divorce Cases

• Equitable Distribution of Marital Assets: Florida requires courts to divide marital property equitably, which generally means equally unless justification exists for an unequal split. In Broward County, this often involves valuing real estate in competitive coastal markets, dividing retirement accounts through qualified domestic relations orders, and untangling joint business interests.
• Parenting Plans and Time-Sharing Disputes: When parents disagree on custody arrangements, a judge applies the best interests of the child standard, weighing factors like each parent’s relationship with the child, stability, work schedules, and the child’s own ties to schools and community in cities like Plantation, Davie, or Weston.
• Spousal Support Under Florida’s Current Framework: Florida’s alimony statute now limits support to bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony. Contested cases often require detailed financial analysis, including income, standard of living during the marriage, and each spouse’s earning capacity, to determine whether support is warranted and for how long.
• Business Valuation and Closely Held Interests: When one or both spouses own a business operating anywhere in Broward County, determining the business’s value, and what portion of that value is marital, requires forensic accounting and sometimes competing expert testimony at trial.
• Contested Child Support Calculations: Florida uses an income shares model to calculate child support, but disputes arise over what income to attribute to each parent, how to handle variable compensation like commissions and bonuses, and how extraordinary expenses for children’s medical care or education should be allocated.
• Hidden Asset Discovery: In high-conflict contested divorces, financial misconduct is a real concern. Discovery tools, including depositions, subpoenas to financial institutions, and requests for production, are used to uncover assets a spouse may be attempting to conceal or undervalue.
• Relocation Disputes: Florida law has specific requirements when a parent seeks to relocate more than 50 miles from the child’s primary residence. When the other parent objects, the court must weigh factors including the reason for the move and the impact on the child’s relationship with the remaining parent.
• Temporary Relief Orders During the Pending Divorce: While a contested case moves through the court system, temporary orders govern who stays in the marital home, who pays ongoing bills, and where the children reside. These interim decisions can set a tone that influences the final outcome.

How a Contested Divorce Actually Moves Through Broward County Courts

Once one spouse files a petition for dissolution in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit and the other is served, both parties have mandatory financial disclosure obligations under Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure. Each spouse must produce a financial affidavit, and both sides engage in formal discovery, exchanging documents, answering interrogatories, and sometimes taking depositions of the other spouse or third-party witnesses like employers, accountants, or real estate appraisers.

Broward County courts require mediation before a contested case can proceed to trial. This mandatory mediation step happens after discovery has progressed far enough that both sides have a realistic picture of the marital estate. Many contested cases settle at this stage once attorneys have completed the financial analysis and the parties see what a trial-level fight will actually cost. When mediation does not produce a full agreement, the case proceeds to a final hearing before a circuit judge, where both attorneys present evidence, examine witnesses, and argue their positions on each disputed issue.

One of the most common mistakes in a contested Broward County divorce is underestimating how early decisions shape late-stage outcomes. A parenting proposal filed in the early months, a business valuation method accepted during discovery, or a failure to raise an issue in temporary relief hearings can limit a party’s options later. Working with a contested divorce attorney in Broward County from the outset, rather than attempting to resolve things independently first and escalating to legal help only when things break down, gives the case much better footing.

Documentation should be gathered as early as possible. That means bank statements, tax returns from recent years, mortgage documents, retirement account statements, business financial records, and any communication that may be relevant to parenting fit or financial transparency. The Broward County Courthouse Family Division clerk’s office can provide information on filing deadlines and court dates, but procedural guidance for the substance of a contested case belongs with your attorney, not court staff.

Questions About Contested Divorce in Broward County

What makes a divorce “contested” under Florida law?

A divorce is contested when the spouses cannot reach full agreement on one or more key issues, including property division, parenting arrangements, child support, or spousal support. The case remains contested until either the parties settle through mediation or negotiation, or a judge decides the unresolved issues at a final hearing.

How long does a contested divorce take in Broward County?

Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the issues and the court’s docket, but contested divorces in Broward County frequently take several months to over a year to resolve. Cases with business valuation disputes, extensive asset discovery, or contested parenting fights tend to run longer than cases where the disagreements are more limited in scope.

Does Broward County require mediation before a contested divorce trial?

Yes. Florida courts require parties in a contested family law case to attend mediation before the court will schedule a final trial. This is a formal requirement, not optional, and mediation is typically conducted by a certified family mediator separate from either party’s attorney.

How does a judge decide who gets the family home in Broward County?

Florida’s equitable distribution standard means the court starts from a presumption of equal division. If one spouse cannot buy out the other and neither can maintain the home alone, the court may order the property sold and proceeds divided. Judges also consider whether minor children’s need for stability weighs in favor of one parent remaining in the home temporarily, though this is a nuanced, fact-specific determination.

Can a spouse be awarded alimony in a contested Broward County divorce?

Yes, but Florida’s alimony law changed significantly in recent years, eliminating permanent alimony as an option. Courts now award bridge-the-gap alimony for short-term transitional needs, rehabilitative alimony while a spouse gains education or job skills, or durational alimony for marriages that meet specific length thresholds. The amount and duration are contested issues in many Broward County divorces.

What happens if my spouse hides assets during our contested divorce?

Concealing assets in a Florida divorce proceeding is a serious issue. Discovery tools including subpoenas, depositions, and forensic accounting can uncover financial misconduct. If a court finds that a spouse intentionally dissipated or concealed marital assets, the judge has discretion to adjust the equitable distribution in the other party’s favor as a sanction.

My spouse owns a business in Fort Lauderdale. How is that handled in our contested divorce?

Business interests that were acquired or grew in value during the marriage are generally classified as marital assets subject to equitable distribution. Valuing a closely held business typically requires a forensic accountant or certified business valuator. Both parties may retain their own experts, and if their valuations differ significantly, the court must weigh the competing testimony. This is one of the more complex and expensive aspects of a high-asset contested divorce in Broward County.

Can temporary custody orders entered early in the case affect the final parenting plan?

In practice, yes. Temporary orders establish a parenting schedule while the case is pending, and the pattern that develops during that period, including where the children are enrolled in school, which parent is handling daily routines, and how well a proposed schedule is working, often influences the final parenting plan a judge puts in place. This is one reason why the temporary relief phase of a contested case deserves serious legal attention.

Does it help to have an attorney who also handles mediation in a contested divorce?

Yes, particularly in Broward County where mediation is mandatory before trial. An attorney familiar with how mediation works, what makes it succeed, and how to use it strategically can better prepare a client to participate productively in that process. That familiarity also helps identify when mediation is unlikely to produce a fair resolution and when presenting the full case to a judge is the more appropriate path.

What should I bring to my first consultation with a Broward County contested divorce lawyer?

Come prepared with as much financial information as you have available: recent bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, mortgage statements, retirement account summaries, and any documents related to businesses or investment properties. If parenting time is an issue, bring records of your involvement in the children’s schooling, medical care, and daily routines. The more context your attorney has from the start, the more precisely the initial strategy can be tailored to your actual situation.

Is it possible to convert a contested divorce to an uncontested one after litigation has started?

Yes. Parties can reach a full settlement agreement at any point before a judge enters a final judgment. Many contested cases settle during or after mandatory mediation, even cases that started with significant conflict. If both parties ultimately agree on all terms, the case can be concluded through a marital settlement agreement without a trial, even if discovery and court appearances have already occurred.

Serving Clients Across Broward County and Beyond

Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. represents clients dealing with contested divorce matters throughout Broward County and the surrounding region. From the Fort Lauderdale beachside neighborhoods of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Victoria Park through the western communities of Plantation, Davie, and Weston, the firm serves families across the full geographic reach of Broward County. Clients in Coral Springs, Margate, Coconut Creek, and Tamarac to the north, as well as those in Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, and Pembroke Pines to the south, have access to the same focused family law counsel. The firm also serves clients in Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Lauderhill, and Sunrise, along with those in the smaller communities of Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Sea Ranch Lakes, and Lazy Lake. In addition to Broward County, the firm extends its representation to clients in the St. Augustine area of St. Johns County, where the same contested divorce standards apply under Florida law, though local court procedures differ from those in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.

Broward County Contested Divorce Attorney Ready to Represent You

A contested divorce in Broward County is a legal process that demands preparation, local knowledge, and an attorney who understands what courts in this jurisdiction actually look for when resolving disputed family law issues. Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. provides that representation for clients in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward County, handling property disputes, contested parenting plans, alimony arguments, and business valuation fights with the same grounded, focused approach the firm applies to every family law matter. If your divorce has become or is heading toward contested territory, reach out to schedule a consultation with a Broward County contested divorce attorney at Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. today.