352-376-0102 352-376-0102

Distinguished Attorney Guides Your Family Through the Legal Process

Personalized representation for divorce and child custody in North Central Florida

Family law issues such as divorce, child custody, and child support are difficult for everyone involved, so the best kind of legal representation comes from a lawyer sensitive to your family’s needs and determined to uphold your rights. At Marraffino Law Firm, we have provided compassionate guidance to divorcing spouses and their families in Florida for many years. We understand that you may be experiencing the most stressful event in your life, so we are dedicated to guiding you through each stage of the legal process and responding promptly to all questions and concerns. Whether you’re dissolving your marriage, modifying a support agreement, or drafting a visitation schedule, we focus on protecting your parental rights and your family’s well-being.

Filing for divorce in Florida

To file for divorce, or dissolution of marriage, in Florida, you must have lived in the county you’re filing in for at least six months. Since Florida is a no-fault divorce state, you need only state that your marriage is irretrievably broken as grounds for divorce. You may also seek a marriage dissolution if your spouse is mentally incapacitated for at least three years.

If you are facing the prospect of divorce, we can work diligently to find the most timely and effective means of ending your marriage. Whether you need help drafting a divorce agreement or settling an alimony or property distribution dispute, we provide highly professional and personal legal representation.   You need a family law attorney that puts your needs first.

Resolving child custody, visitation, and child support issues

Family law disputes involving children are often the most stressful issues in a divorce. These differences can be difficult to resolve without competent legal support. At  Marraffino Law Firm, we strive to find and effective and considerate solutions for the following family law issues:

  • Child custody- Florida courts base their decisions on what is in the best interests of the child, but the state’s courts and statutes no longer refer to custody — they approve parenting plans in which both parents (unless one is deemed unfit) share parenting time and parental responsibility. We will work to ensure your parental bonds with your children are preserved.
  • Visitation/Timesharing— When a child’s main residence is with one parent, the other parent has visitation, or time-sharing, rights unless a parent is considered a threat to the child’s health, safety, or development. Then, visitation may be supervised or denied. After reviewing your unique family dynamic, we can assist you in drafting a comprehensive parenting plan the court will approve that accounts for visitation on weekends, birthdays, holidays, and other events.
  • Child support — Florida follows the “income shares model” when awarding child support. These guidelines are based on the number of children in the family and quality of life the family enjoyed while living together. In addition to helping families settle child support disputes, we represent clients in child support enforcement and modification actions.

While your marriage may be over, you can insulate your family from further stress by hiring a skilled lawyer. We draw upon decades of experience representing Floridians in family law matters to help you maneuver confidently through the family courts. Whether you’re looking to modify a child support order or update your parenting plan, we provide you with trusted advice at each step until your case is fully resolved.

Contact a family law attorney with over 35 years experience in Florida

Marraffino Law Firm represents North Central Florida families in divorce, child custody, and child support cases. Please call 352-376-0102 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a lawyer at our Gainesville office.