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Originally published: February 2021 | Updated: February 2026 | Reviewed by Scott A. Levine
A Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney helps you file and respond correctly, protect parenting rights, identify and value marital and nonmarital assets, negotiate a settlement, and prepare for mediation, hearings, or trial when needed.
The goal is simple. A clear strategy, clean financial disclosure, and enforceable final orders that reduce delay, unnecessary cost, and long-term conflict.
Levine Family Law represents clients in Fort Lauderdale and across Broward County, Florida, in divorce matters, including contested cases, complex financial issues, and high-net-worth situations.
The priority is straightforward. Protect what matters, reduce avoidable conflict, and move your case forward with strategy and documentation that holds up.
You will get direct guidance on what happens next, what to gather now, and how to make decisions that protect you later, not just today.
If you need a steady hand and a serious advocate, call for a confidential consultation.
Most Florida divorces follow the same sequence. Filing, service, financial disclosures, temporary issues, negotiation or mediation, and then final judgment.
If you want a step-by-step walkthrough with deeper context, read the Marriage Dissolution Guide and our overview of the divorce process.
| Step | What It Means | What To Do Now | Common Mistakes |
| File the petition | Starts the case and sets the framework for the requested relief | Get your core facts and goals organized before filing | Filing without a clear plan for kids, support, or finances |
| Serve the other spouse | Provides formal notice and triggers deadlines | Use proper service and keep proof of service | Delayed or improper service that stalls the case |
| Exchange financial disclosures | Establishes the financial baseline for support and division | Gather tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, retirement, and debt records | Incomplete or inconsistent disclosure that causes conflict and motions |
| Address temporary needs | Stabilizes parenting schedules and finances while the case is pending | Identify urgent issues. parenting time, bills, access to funds | Waiting too long and letting “temporary” become the default |
| Negotiate or mediate | Most cases resolve through structured negotiation | Prioritize outcomes. kids, cash flow, home, long-term terms | Conceding without understanding the long-term impact |
| Finalize settlement or prepare for trial | Settlement becomes enforceable, or the court decides the remaining issues | Make terms specific, workable, and enforceable | Vague language that leads to future disputes and enforcement problems |
In Fort Lauderdale divorce cases, the path usually comes down to one question. Do you and your spouse agree on parenting, support, and the financial terms?
An uncontested divorce moves faster because the agreement drives the paperwork.
A contested divorce is a Broward County court case with negotiation, mediation, and sometimes hearings. When conflict or finances escalate, it may become complex divorce litigation.
| Topic | Uncontested Divorce | Contested Divorce in Broward County | What Usually Escalates It |
| Parenting plan and timesharing | Schedule and decision-making are agreed upon | Disputes require negotiation or court input | Allegations, communication breakdown, and inconsistent routines |
| Child support and alimony | Numbers are agreed or straightforward | Income, expenses, or needs are disputed | Variable income, undisclosed benefits, disputed expenses |
| Property and debt division | Clear inventory and agreed split | Marital vs nonmarital disputes, valuation fights | Tracing, commingling,and missing documentation |
| Process and pace | Paperwork-driven, fewer hearings | Motions, mediation, possible trial prep | Delayed disclosure, strategic stalling, noncooperation |
| Cost and stress | Lower and more predictable | Higher and less predictable | Experts, enforcement actions, and repeated court involvement |
In a Fort Lauderdale divorce, timeline and cost usually move together. Cases slow down and get more expensive when service is delayed, financial disclosures are incomplete, parenting issues remain unresolved, or experts are needed to value assets.
| Driver | What It Affects | How It Adds Time | How It Adds Cost | What To Do Now |
| Service and early filings | Case start and deadlines | Delays get the case “stuck” early | Motions and re-service fees | Confirm proper service and keep proof |
| Financial disclosure quality | Negotiation leverage | Missing records cause back-and-forth | Attorney time, subpoenas, forensic review | Gather tax, income, bank, retirement, and debt records |
| Parenting disputes | Stability and scheduling | Hearings and multiple conferences | Evaluations, mediation sessions, litigation | Propose a workable timesharing plan early |
| Asset complexity | Valuation and tracing | Expert timelines extend the case | Appraisers, forensic accountants | Inventory assets and identify what needs valuation |
| Cooperation and communication | Settlement speed | Stalling forces court involvement | More motions, more hearings | Use structured negotiation and deadlines |
| Court scheduling | Hearing availability | Waiting for slots extends timelines | Prep time for each appearance | Avoid unnecessary hearings, stay organized |
Florida divorce follows equitable distribution. The court classifies assets and debts as marital or nonmarital, then divides them based on fairness factors rather than automatically 50/50.
Start with what equitable distribution means and the practical guide to property division in Florida divorces, if you want deeper detail before making offers or signing terms.
Bank accounts and retirement funds are two of the most disputed areas because small documentation gaps create big leverage fights. If cash and accounts are a concern, review splitting bank accounts in divorce.
If retirement is a key asset, see “Dividing Retirement Accounts” in Fort Lauderdale. If the house is the centerpiece of your settlement decisions, read “Keep or Sell the Family Home” before locking in a timeline.
Call for a confidential consultation. Get a clear plan for your Fort Lauderdale divorce, including timelines, parenting priorities, and financial moves that protect you early on.
| Asset or Debt | What Typically Matters Most | Key Documents | Common Traps |
| Bank accounts and cash | Tracing deposits and timing of transfers | Statements, transaction history, payroll records | Commingling funds, missing statements, and cash withdrawals |
| Retirement accounts | Marital portion and proper division method | Plan statements, account history, QDRO details | Tax penalties, incorrect QDRO language, and premature withdrawals |
| Marital home | Equity, mortgage, buyout feasibility, timing | Deed, mortgage, payoff, appraisal | Agreeing to keep without an affordability plan |
| Business interests | Value, income, control, hidden benefits | Financials, tax returns, K-1s, valuation reports | Undervaluation, “expense” manipulation, and delayed disclosure |
| Credit cards and loans | When debt was incurred, and for what purpose | Statements, loan docs, purchase records | Taking on new debt during the case |
| Taxes and refunds | Filing status, refunds, liabilities | Prior returns, W-2s, 1099s | Signing joint returns without understanding exposure |
In Fort Lauderdale divorce cases, alimony decisions are driven by evidence, not assumptions.
Courts focus on need, ability to pay, length of marriage, and reliable financial records.
Clean documentation supports settlement leverage and helps avoid vague or difficult-to-enforce orders.
In Broward County, divorces involving children often center on the parenting plan. A strong plan defines timesharing, decision-making, exchanges, communication rules, and expense responsibilities in clear terms. Florida courts apply best-interest standards.
The Florida Child Custody Factors are a practical place to start before you agree to a schedule.
| Parenting Plan Must-Have | What You Decide | Why It Prevents Conflict |
| Timesharing schedule | Weekdays, weekends, holidays, summer | Reduces ambiguity and last-minute disputes |
| Decision-making | School, medical, activities | Prevents power struggles and stalemates |
| Exchanges and transportation | Locations, timing, and late rules | Limits handoff conflict and confusion |
| Communication rules | Method, response times, emergencies | Reduces escalation and creates documentation |
| Child expenses | Who pays what, reimbursements, deadlines | Prevents surprise costs and arguments |
| Travel basics | Notice, consent, itineraries | Prevents unilateral decisions and emergencies |
Call for a confidential consultation to protect parenting time and financial outcomes in your Fort Lauderdale divorce.
Fort Lauderdale high-net-worth divorces often involve complex income, business interests, tracing, and privacy concerns. Hidden-asset disputes are solved with documentation and targeted discovery, not guesswork.
High-asset cases also create unique confidentiality and valuation pressures. See High Net Worth Divorce Florida for a deeper look at what changes when the stakes are higher.
If you suspect concealment, start with Hidden Assets Broward County to understand common tactics and warning signs.
Divorce is personal. But your strategy cannot be emotional. Clients choose Levine Family Law because they want steady guidance, decisive action, and a plan that protects what matters most in a Fort Lauderdale divorce.
If high assets, business interests, or hidden money concerns are in play, do not guess. Get a strategy built around documentation, valuation, and enforceable settlement terms. Schedule a confidential consultation.
How long does a divorce take in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
A Fort Lauderdale divorce timeline depends on whether it is uncontested or contested, as well as service, financial disclosure, and parenting disputes. Uncontested cases often move faster. Contested cases take longer when documents are missing, valuations are disputed, or repeated noncompliance triggers hearings.
What is the difference between an uncontested and contested divorce in Florida?
An uncontested Florida divorce means both spouses agree on parenting, support, property, and debt terms. A contested divorce means at least one major issue remains disputed and must be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or court.
Do I need a lawyer for a divorce in Fort Lauderdale?
You do not legally need a lawyer to divorce in Florida, but legal guidance is strongly recommended when children, significant assets, alimony, hidden-asset concerns, or a high-conflict dynamic exist. A divorce attorney helps protect rights, reduce mistakes, and draft enforceable terms that prevent future disputes.
What does equitable distribution mean in a Florida divorce?
Equitable distribution means Florida courts divide marital assets and debts based on fairness, not automatically on a 50/50 basis. The court identifies marital versus nonmarital property, values assets where needed, and then allocates property and debt using statutory factors.
What happens to the house in a Fort Lauderdale divorce?
In a Fort Lauderdale divorce, the marital home is typically sold and proceeds divided, or one spouse keeps it through a buyout and refinancing plan. The best option depends on equity, affordability, tax considerations, and parenting logistics. A common mistake is keeping the home without a realistic budget.
How is alimony decided in Florida divorce cases?
Florida alimony decisions are based on need, ability to pay, marriage length, and credible financial evidence showing income and reasonable expenses. Courts look for consistency across affidavits, tax returns, and account records. Alimony strategy also interacts with property division, which affects settlement leverage.
What factors determine child custody and timesharing in Florida?
Florida custody and timesharing are decided under the child’s best interests, using factors that evaluate stability, parental involvement, communication, and each parent’s ability to support the child’s needs. A detailed parenting plan improves enforceability and reduces conflict.
Can my spouse refuse to pay child support during or after a divorce?
Once ordered, child support is a legal obligation in Florida, and nonpayment can trigger enforcement actions. If support is being withheld, the priority is documenting missed payments and pursuing the right enforcement path through the court. Each case turns on the order terms, payment history, and proof.
Can someone hide money during a Florida divorce, and how is it proven?
Hidden assets can be proven through financial records, discovery, and tracing of deposits, transfers, and lifestyle spending. Courts can impose consequences when concealment is demonstrated, but the claim must be supported by evidence, not suspicion.
When should I contact a Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney?
You should contact a Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney when you anticipate disagreement, need temporary protections, have children, suspect hidden assets, or face complex income or property issues. Early guidance helps avoid filing mistakes, preserves leverage, and improves your ability to reach enforceable, workable terms.
Start with the basics
Broward County filing logistics
Money and property
Parenting
Complex cases
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