Family Law

The Trial Lawyers at The Ferraro Law Firm

Do you expect your divorce to be contested?
Are you concerned that your spouse is hiding assets?
Is your spouse threatening to take custody of your children?

At the law firm of The Ferraro Law Firm, we focus on complex divorces such as when people bring significant assets into their marriage, such as businesses, investments and real estate holdings. We help our clients navigate all of the issues involved in the dissolution of their marriage, including property division, child custody and visitation, child support and alimony.

In the vast majority of cases, and consistent with our firm’s policy, we are able to help our clients negotiate a fair settlement with their spouse. If your case can’t be settled through mediation, our lawyers will pursue it through a trial.

The Ferraro Law Firm is one of the top law firms in the nation in the area of civil litigation. We have been litigating divorce cases for almost twenty years and have handled hundreds of family law cases. Our family law litigation background has given us the experience to handle complex divorce cases where a lot is at stake.

Contact the attorneys at The Ferraro Law Firm to arrange a consultation

Grounds for divorce

Florida is a “no-fault” divorce state and property distribution is based upon equitable principles. One of the spouses must live in Florida for at least six months before one can file for divorce.

Division of Property

Florida divorce laws call for an equitable distribution of property. This means that most property acquired during the marriage is considered “marital” property and will be equitably divided. Certain property brought into the marriage will, in most instances, be considered “non-marital” and you won’t have to split it with your spouse. Also, personal gifts and inheritances will be considered non-marital property; as well as any property that the spouses agree in writing is the personal property of the other. 

However, in certain instances, appreciation of “non-marital” property, such as homes and businesses will also be considered marital property and will be equitably divided. 

The financial aspects of divorce are similar in many ways to the dissolution of a business partnership. If you plan to claim property is “non-marital” it’s important to keep good records and obtain an attorney’s advice. The Ferraro Law Firm offers divorce planning services to help minimize the effect of the divorce on your finances.

Child custody and Visitation

Florida divorce laws encourage shared parental responsibility of children unless there is a compelling reason not to. “Shared parental responsibility” does not necessarily mean that each parent will have the children 50 percent of the time, but that both parents will share equally in making major decisions affecting their children. Generally, one parent is designated the primary residential parent, with the other parent being granted liberal and frequent visitation rights, which typically includes alternate weekends, alternate holidays, and sharing the children’s summer vacation. 

According to the law in Florida, the best interest of the child is the polestar factor when determining which parent is designated as the primary residential parent. Fathers often are determined to be the primary residential parent of children if a court determines that it is in the best interest of the children. The other parent typically pays child support according to a Florida child support guideline formula based upon the income of both spouses.

The Ferraro Law Firm also handles paternity cases, as well as post-divorce actions such as child support enforcement and visitation rights.

We represent divorce and family law clients in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County.

Contact attorneys at The Ferraro Law Firm for a Consultation.

1-800-275-3332 | Miami 305-375-0111 | Fax 305-379-6222