North Port Family Law Attorney

North Port Family Law Lawyer

Family law matters can be some of the most complex and often come with heightened emotions and contested disputes. Outcomes in family law cases can have a significant impact on the family’s finances and the well-being of the members of the family. This is especially important when children are involved. If you are facing issues such as divorce, child custody and support, paternity, or adoption in North Port, a North Port family law attorney at Ruhl Law, P.A. can help.

North Port Family Lawyer You Can Trust

Family law focuses on the regulations, rules, processes, and court procedures in legal cases that affect families. As with any legal matter, it is crucial to hire a family law attorney with extensive experience in the type of case you need help with. Common examples of family law cases include divorce, division of marital assets and debts, alimony, child custody, child support, and adoption

Nationally, family courts see 3.8 million cases a year. This includes about one million divorce cases, 880,000 child custody and support cases, and 380,000 paternity cases.

The legal team at Ruhl Law, P.A., is dedicated to helping families resolve their legal matters with a fair outcome that focuses on the well-being of the family. We regularly represent clients at the 12^th District Circuit Court in Sarasota – The Family Division of the Circuit Court, and are very familiar with procedures there. We can thoroughly prepare you should your case proceed to court, optimizing your chances of a successful resolution you are happy with.

Divorce

Florida is a no-fault state for divorce. Fault does not need to be proven in order to file for divorce, which is also called dissolution of marriage. In uncontested cases where there are no children or significant marital assets, many couples can follow a simplified process for their divorce. However, contested or more complex cases may require mediation, significant negotiation, or even a trial in court to settle the case.

Division of Marital Assets and Debts

One of the key aspects of divorce includes the equitable distribution of marital assets and debts. This means property acquired during the marriage is divided fairly between spouses, which does not necessarily mean equally. Family court judges may consider several factors, such as each spouse’s contributions to the household, the length of the marriage, and differences in current economic circumstances.

Alimony

Alimony is sometimes called spousal support, and its purpose is to ensure that a lower-earning spouse is able to have the financial support they need after the dissolution of the marriage. There are several kinds of alimony, and a divorce may involve more than one kind, depending on the details of the case. Common kinds of alimony include lump sum, permanent, temporary, and rehabilitative. Alimony is not required in every divorce in Florida.

Child Custody

Child custody cases are often related to divorce, but may also be required in cases where parents were never married. In addition, child custody can change over time as the child ages and the needs of the family change. Florida family courts generally prefer an equal division of time between parents when it comes to child custody. However, in some cases, this is not appropriate or feasible, and other custody arrangements may be needed to suit the family’s needs.

Child support

Whether parents are married or not, there’s an expectation that each parent will contribute to raising and supporting their children. Florida uses the income shares model to calculate child support, which considers the incomes of both parents and makes adjustments for certain factors such as child care costs and parenting time. Like child custody, child support needs can change over time and often need modification.

Adoption

Adoption is another common type of family law case that may require a skilled attorney at some point in the process. Types of adoptions can include stepparent adoptions, domestic adoption, or international adoption.  In some cases, adoption may involve independent agencies, government entities, or other kinds of adoption professionals. Adoptions can be open, semi-open, or closed, referring to the level of contact and identifying information shared between families.

FAQs About North Port Family Law

What Is Considered a Long-Term Marriage in Florida?

In Florida, a long-term marriage is considered one where the spouses have been married for 20 years or more. This is counted from the date the spouses got married until the date of filing for divorce and is generally used to determine how long alimony is appropriate. A short-term marriage is less than 10 years, and a moderate-term marriage is between 10 and 20 years. A trusted family law attorney can explain how the laws apply in your specific case.

How to Choose the Right Family Law Attorney?

The most effective way to choose the right family law attorney is to set up a consultation to discuss your concerns. Having a general understanding of the law can be helpful, but applying that to your specific circumstances can be challenging, especially in family law cases where there is a lot of nuance and emotions can run high. The most important factor in choosing a family law attorney is a solid track record of favorable outcomes in similar cases.

Who Wins Most Child Custody Cases?

The way child custody is handled in family courts is that judges generally prefer children to have involvement from both parents. This means joint custody is most common, rather than the old notion of one parent having primary custody. However, this can vary from one family to the next and change over time as the needs of the children change. If you have concerns about custody, speak with an experienced family law attorney right away.

Hire a Family Law Attorney in North Port to Get Positive Results

At Ruhl Law, P.A., our qualified legal team knows in North Port that when you have a family law matter, you need legal representation you can count on. For 15 years, we have been helping families receive positive outcomes in even the most complex family law cases. Contact our offices today to discuss your situation and learn your legal options.