Clermont Divorce Lawyers

Experienced Legal Counsel in the Four Corners Area & Surrounding Areas

Filing for divorce is often one of life’s most emotionally taxing and financially complex transitions. From protecting your hard-earned assets to establishing long-term parenting plans for your children, every decision made during a divorce can impact your future for years to come. Having an experienced divorce attorney in your corner ensures that your rights are safeguarded and that you enter the next chapter of your life with clarity and confidence.

At The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, our legal team brings over 40 years of combined experience guiding individuals and families through Florida’s legal system. Serving clients across Lake, Polk, and Orange Counties, we deliver firm courtroom advocacy paired with transparent, realistic legal guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

Call (888) 835-5840 or complete our online contact form to book a consultation with a Clermont divorce attorney at our firm. Hablamos español.

Issues to Resolve During a Divorce

Divorce involves resolving several important legal and financial issues to finalize the dissolution of a marriage. 

These include:

• Division of assets and debts – Florida uses equitable distribution to divide marital property and liabilities, meaning that the court seeks a fair but not necessarily equal division based on various factors. We can help in even the most complex cases, such as those involving high net worth, business ownership, or other complicated property matters. 
• Alimony – Also known as spousal support, alimony may be awarded to one spouse to provide financial support during or after marriage. The court considers many factors in making its determination.
• Child custody and time-sharing – Florida focuses on the child's best interests when determining parental responsibility and time-sharing arrangements. Courts encourage parents to maintain active roles whenever possible in their children’s lives.
• Child support – Child support is calculated using a formula that considers each parent’s income and the time-sharing schedule. It enables children to receive the financial resources needed for their care and well-being.

Residency Requirements

Florida law requires that at least one spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months before filing for divorce. This residency requirement establishes jurisdiction for the court to handle your case. 

Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce

The divorce process may vary depending on whether it is uncontested or contested:

• Uncontested  – An uncontested divorce occurs when both parties agree on all terms related to property, financial support, and children. This process is typically quicker, less expensive, and less stressful than a contested one. Our attorneys can help you draft a legally sound settlement agreement to streamline the process.
• Contested  – A contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot agree on one or more issues, requiring the court to resolve disputes. While contested divorces can be more time-consuming and contentious, our skilled litigators can fiercely advocate for your rights and work toward a favorable resolution.

The Role of Mediation

Mediation is a valuable tool for resolving divorce-related conflicts outside of the courtroom. During mediation, a neutral third-party mediator facilitates discussions between you and your spouse to help negotiate agreements on key issues. 

Mediation can save time, reduce legal costs, and promote cooperation, making it beneficial. Our divorce attorneys can assist in preparing you for mediation sessions to help you achieve fair and enforceable agreements. 

The Florida Divorce Process

Even a straightforward divorce involves a series of formal steps, and knowing what's ahead can make the process feel far less overwhelming.

• Filing the petition – The process begins when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the court, along with proof that Florida's six-month residency requirement is met.
• Serving the other spouse – The other spouse must be formally served with the petition and given an opportunity to respond.
• Financial disclosure – Both spouses are generally required to exchange financial affidavits and supporting documentation, which forms the basis for decisions on property division, alimony, and child support.
• Negotiation or discovery – Depending on whether the case is contested, spouses may negotiate a settlement directly, resolve issues through mediation, or proceed through formal discovery if the case is headed toward trial.
• Final judgment – Once all issues are resolved — either by agreement or by a judge's ruling — the court enters a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, which legally ends the marriage and sets the terms going forward.

Each of these steps has its own deadlines and procedural requirements, and missing one can add delay or unnecessary cost to a case that might otherwise move quickly.

Common Mistakes That Can Complicate a Divorce

Some of the most costly divorce mistakes happen early, before a case ever reaches a courtroom. A few of the most common:

• Hiding or failing to disclose assets – This can backfire badly if discovered later, undermining credibility with the court and potentially reopening a settlement.
• Making major financial decisions before filing – Large purchases, transfers, or withdrawals made in anticipation of divorce can be scrutinized as an attempt to shield assets.
• Negotiating without understanding long-term impact – A settlement that looks reasonable today, such as keeping the marital home, can create financial strain down the road if ongoing costs aren't fully considered.
• Using children as messengers or leverage – Beyond the emotional toll on children, courts pay close attention to parental conduct when addressing time-sharing.
• Skipping legal advice for an "amicable" divorce – Even cooperative divorces benefit from a lawyer reviewing the settlement agreement to make sure nothing is missed or left legally unclear.

Frequently Asked Questions