Fort Lauderdale Dissolution Of Marriage Attorney

Ending a marriage in Florida requires more than a mutual decision to part ways. The legal process of Fort Lauderdale dissolution of marriage involves court filings, financial disclosures, property division agreements, and, where children are involved, formally approved parenting plans. Getting any of these elements wrong, or leaving them incomplete, can create problems that linger long after the final judgment is entered.

Broward County sees a significant volume of dissolution filings each year, and the Broward County Courthouse at 201 SE 6th Street is where most Fort Lauderdale cases move through the system. Whether a couple parts on good terms or contested issues remain unresolved, the procedural requirements are the same. The difference is how difficult and costly the process becomes depending on the level of conflict and the quality of legal guidance involved.

At Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A., the focus is on helping individuals and couples navigate dissolution in a way that is thorough, legally sound, and appropriately suited to their circumstances. Some matters resolve cooperatively through mediation and negotiated settlement. Others require closer attention to contested issues. In either case, the goal is a resolution that holds up and allows both parties to move forward with clarity.

What Florida’s Dissolution Process Actually Requires

Florida is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing to obtain a dissolution of marriage. The only required ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. While this simplifies the threshold for filing, it does not simplify the substance of what must be resolved before a court will grant the final judgment.

Every dissolution petition filed in Florida must address a defined set of issues. Property and debt must be equitably distributed. If either party seeks alimony, the court will evaluate the requesting spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay, applying Florida’s current framework, which includes bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony following the 2023 statutory changes. When minor children are involved, a parenting plan must be submitted that covers time-sharing schedules, decision-making authority, and child support calculated under Florida’s income shares guidelines.

Cases where both spouses reach full agreement on these issues can proceed as uncontested dissolutions and typically resolve much faster, often without a court appearance. Cases where disagreements exist, whether over assets, parenting arrangements, or support, become contested and require additional hearings, more extensive discovery, and greater involvement from the court. Understanding which track your case falls on, and how to move it toward resolution, is where legal counsel makes a concrete difference.

Why Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. for Your Fort Lauderdale Dissolution Case

Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. is a Fort Lauderdale-based family law firm that handles dissolution of marriage, mediation, and related family matters for clients in Broward County and beyond. The firm is rooted in an approach that prioritizes amicable resolution wherever possible, helping couples reach fair agreements through uncontested divorce and mediation rather than prolonged adversarial litigation. That orientation does not mean avoiding difficult issues; rather, it means resolving them through dialogue, transparency, and careful legal preparation instead of courtroom battles that escalate costs and stress for everyone involved.

For couples who are aligned or willing to work toward alignment, the firm provides end-to-end guidance through Florida’s uncontested dissolution process, ensuring that every required document is properly prepared, every financial disclosure is complete, and every parenting plan meets the court’s requirements. For clients navigating more complicated circumstances, the firm brings the same level of attention to detail while advocating for outcomes that are fair and legally defensible. The firm also serves clients in St. Augustine and St. Johns County, offering local familiarity with both court systems. Choosing a dissolution attorney in Fort Lauderdale who handles these cases regularly, and who knows the Broward County court environment, matters when your case requires precision.

Core Issues in a Fort Lauderdale Dissolution of Marriage

• Equitable Distribution of Marital Assets: Florida requires that marital property, including real estate, retirement accounts, business interests, and jointly accumulated debt, be divided equitably between spouses. Equitable does not always mean equal, and the specific circumstances of the marriage can influence how assets are allocated.
• Alimony and Spousal Support: Following Florida’s 2023 alimony reform, permanent alimony is no longer available. Courts now assess requests for bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational alimony based on the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial resources, and other statutory factors.
• Parenting Plans and Time-Sharing: Florida law requires a detailed parenting plan in any dissolution involving minor children. The plan must specify where children will reside, how decision-making authority is shared, and how holidays and school schedules are handled. Courts evaluate these plans against the child’s best interest standard.
• Child Support Calculations: Florida uses an income shares model to calculate child support, factoring in both parents’ net income, the time-sharing arrangement, and costs including health insurance and childcare. Deviating from the guideline amount requires specific justification accepted by the court.
• Identification of Separate vs. Marital Property: Assets brought into the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance may qualify as separate property and remain outside equitable distribution. Tracing and properly categorizing these assets is often contested and requires careful documentation.
• Marital Settlement Agreements: In uncontested dissolutions, the marital settlement agreement is the central document that memorializes how all issues have been resolved. If it is drafted poorly, courts may reject it or, worse, approve language that creates ambiguity and future conflict.
• High-Asset and Complex Property Situations: Dissolutions involving business ownership, real property held across multiple counties, investment portfolios, or deferred compensation arrangements require more detailed financial analysis and drafting precision than straightforward cases.

Getting Through the Process Practically: What Fort Lauderdale Filers Need to Know

The dissolution process in Broward County begins with filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The filing party is the petitioner; the other spouse is the respondent. Once the petition is served, the respondent has a set period to file an answer. If both parties are cooperating, they can file jointly and move the case forward together on a faster timeline.

Mandatory financial disclosure is required in almost all Florida dissolution cases. Both spouses must complete and exchange a Financial Affidavit along with supporting documentation, including bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, retirement account statements, and records of liabilities. Attempting to shortcut this process, or to conceal assets, carries serious consequences. Courts take financial disclosure obligations seriously, and failure to comply can affect how the court views a party’s credibility on every contested issue.

If children are involved, Florida also requires both parents to complete a court-approved parenting course before the dissolution is finalized. This is a procedural requirement, not optional, and must be completed early enough not to delay the case. The specific approved providers change, so confirming current options through the Broward County Family Court division is the right move.

One of the most common mistakes people make in dissolution cases is underestimating the importance of the marital settlement agreement’s language. Vague terms around property transfer timelines, retirement account division (which require a separate Qualified Domestic Relations Order for most plans), or parenting plan details create disputes down the road. Reviewing every provision carefully before signing, and having an attorney who regularly drafts these agreements confirm the language is enforceable, avoids costly post-judgment modification proceedings later.

Cases that cannot be resolved by agreement move to mediation in Broward County before a judge will hear contested issues. Mediation is not optional in most Florida family law cases; it is a required step. A dissolution attorney in Fort Lauderdale who regularly appears in Broward County proceedings can prepare you for what mediation actually looks like, how to approach negotiations strategically, and what a reasonable outcome looks like for your specific set of facts.

Questions About Fort Lauderdale Dissolution of Marriage

What is the residency requirement to file for dissolution of marriage in Florida?

At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for a minimum of six months before filing. In Broward County, that residency is typically confirmed through a Florida driver’s license, voter registration, or similar documentation submitted with the petition. If neither spouse has met this threshold, filing must wait until one does.

How long does a dissolution of marriage typically take in Broward County?

Uncontested cases in Broward County where both parties have signed a marital settlement agreement can sometimes be finalized in as little as a few weeks after the mandatory waiting period following service. Contested cases take significantly longer, often many months, depending on the complexity of the issues, the court’s docket, and how efficiently discovery and mediation proceed.

Can we use the same attorney for an uncontested dissolution?

No. An attorney can only represent one party. In an uncontested dissolution, one attorney may prepare the documents on behalf of one spouse, but the other spouse should either retain independent counsel for review or at minimum understand clearly that the attorney represents only one side. Both parties signing the marital settlement agreement without independent review is a risk worth taking seriously.

What happens to the family home during a Fort Lauderdale dissolution?

The marital home is typically the largest single asset in a dissolution. Options include selling the property and dividing proceeds, one spouse buying out the other’s interest and refinancing the mortgage solely into their name, or, in cases involving minor children, one spouse remaining in the home temporarily under a deferred sale arrangement. Each option has financial and tax implications that should be evaluated before the settlement agreement is signed.

How is retirement savings divided in a Florida dissolution?

Retirement accounts accumulated during the marriage are marital assets subject to equitable distribution. Dividing a 401(k) or pension requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, a separate court order that instructs the plan administrator to divide the account. Without this document, the plan will not honor a divorce decree alone, and the recipient spouse may lose their share of the account if the order is not obtained properly and promptly.

What is Florida’s current alimony framework after the 2023 changes?

Florida eliminated permanent alimony effective July 1, 2023. The forms currently available are bridge-the-gap alimony, which is short-term and designed to help a spouse transition to post-divorce life; rehabilitative alimony, which supports a spouse obtaining education or training to become self-supporting; and durational alimony, which provides support for a set period that cannot exceed the length of the marriage. Courts weigh each party’s financial resources, the standard of living during the marriage, contributions made by each spouse, and other statutory factors when deciding whether and how much alimony to award.

Does it matter who files for dissolution first in Florida?

In practical terms, filing first gives the petitioner the ability to set the initial framing of the petition and certain procedural advantages, including being first to present their case if the matter goes to a hearing. However, Florida’s no-fault system means the fact of who filed generally does not affect the substantive outcome on property, support, or parenting issues. Both spouses have equal standing before the court regardless of who initiated the filing.

Can a dissolution judgment be modified after it is entered?

Certain provisions can be modified post-judgment if there is a substantial change in circumstances. Child support and time-sharing arrangements are the most commonly modified provisions. Alimony may also be modifiable depending on how the original order was structured. Property division, once finalized and incorporated into the judgment, is generally not subject to modification. This is another reason why getting the original agreement right matters considerably.

What happens if my spouse refuses to participate in the dissolution process?

If a respondent fails to respond after being properly served, the petitioner can seek a default judgment. The court may then grant the dissolution and rule on contested issues based on the petitioner’s filings alone. A dissolution attorney handling a Fort Lauderdale case can guide you through the default process and ensure the required procedural steps are followed so the case does not stall due to a non-responsive spouse.

Is mediation required before a judge will hear contested issues in Broward County?

Yes. Florida courts require mediation in most family law cases before contested issues will be scheduled for a hearing before a judge. The mediation requirement exists to encourage resolution without full litigation and to reduce the burden on the court system. Attendance at mediation is mandatory, though reaching an agreement is not. If mediation does not resolve all issues, remaining disputes proceed to an evidentiary hearing where the judge decides.

Dissolution of Marriage Representation Across Broward County and Beyond

Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. serves clients throughout Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding Broward County communities, including those in the Flagler Village and Victoria Park neighborhoods, the Rio Vista and Sailboat Bend areas, and the communities of Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Lauderdale Lakes, and Tamarac. Clients from Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek, Margate, Coral Springs, and the western Broward communities of Weston and Davie also turn to the firm for dissolution representation. The firm handles matters in the Dania Beach and Hollywood areas, as well as in Hallandale Beach and Pembroke Pines. Beyond Broward County, the firm extends its family law representation to St. Augustine and St. Johns County, helping clients navigate dissolution proceedings through the St. Johns County Courthouse with the same attention given to every Broward case. Whether a client’s circumstances are straightforward or involve significant assets, children, or contested financial issues, the firm’s geographic reach means consistent, informed representation across the markets it serves.

Speak with a Fort Lauderdale Dissolution of Marriage Attorney

A dissolution of marriage shapes your financial situation, your relationship with your children, and the terms under which you rebuild your life. This is not a process to move through without counsel, and it is not a process where generic document preparation is a substitute for real legal guidance. Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. works with clients in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward County as a Fort Lauderdale dissolution of marriage attorney focused on outcomes that are fair, durable, and appropriate to the complexity of each individual case.

To discuss your situation and understand your options, contact Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. to schedule a consultation. There is no obligation, and the conversation will give you a clearer picture of what your case actually involves and how to proceed.