Learn about the important issues that need to be resolved in a divorce and the Florida laws that will govern your case.

1. Divorce in Florida
D I S C O V E R T H E I M P O R T A N T F A C T O R S I M P A C T I N G
Y O U R C A S E

2. Important Issues to
Resolve in a Divorce
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A L I M O N Y / S P O U S A L S U P P O R T
C H I L D S U P P O R T
C H I L D C U S T O D Y
P R O P E R T Y D I V I S I O N

3. Alimony (Spousal Support)
Alimony refers to financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other
spouse after a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to help ensure both people are
able to maintain a comparable lifestyle as they enjoyed during the marriage.
Factors that impact whether (and how much) alimony will be awarded include:
• Standard of living prior to divorce
• Duration of the marriage
• Tax consequences
• Finances of each spouse
• Relative incomes of each spouse
• One spouse’s potential need to obtain education/training in order to support
themselves financially
• Each spouse’s financial responsibilities regarding young children

4. Child Support
Florida law requires both parents to
provide financial support to their
children up to the age of 18 or until
they graduate from high school (if
they will graduate before the age of
19).
There are guidelines used to
determine which parent will provide
child support and how much monthly
support will be paid.
If there is a change in one or both
parents' financial circumstances, the
initial child support order can be
modified to reflect these changes.

5. Factors Impacting Child Support in
Florida
Income of each parent
Amount of parenting
time for each parent
Healthcare and
childcare costs
Special educational or
medical needs of the
child
The existence of child
support payments for
children from another
marriage

6. Child Custody
The term "child custody" has been replaced with the concepts of "parental responsibility"
and "parenting time." These terms govern issues related to legal and physical custody.
When ruling on custody matters, the court will always evaluate what is in the best interests
of the child.

7. Parental
Responsiblity
Parental responsibility refers to
who will make decisions
regarding the child's healthcare,
education and daily well-being.
Parenting Time
Parenting time refers to how
much time the children will
spend with each parent.
Whenever possible, the goal is to have these responsibilities shared by both
parents.

8. Property Division
Florida law uses the doctrine of
equitable distribution when
settling property division
disputes. Under equitable
distribution, money, property
and other assets will be divided
in an equitable, but not
necessarily equal manner.
The attorneys at Syprett
Meshad can help you navigate
Florida's equitable distribution
laws to ensure you receive the
assets and property to which
you're entitled.
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION

9. Collaborative Divorce
If you and your spouse can work together amicably to resolve all major issues, you
may be able to settle your divorce without going to court. Syprett Meshad offers
collaborative divorce services. Both parties will be represented by an attorney, but
all issues will be resolved cooperatively through mediation. This significantly
reduces the cost and acrimony associated with divorce, but it only works well when
both parties can work together.

10. Thank You!
S C H E D U L E A D I V O R C E C O N S U L T A T I O N
W I T H S Y P R E T T M E S H A D T O D A Y
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