Divorce
Tampa Divorce Lawyer
Proven Professional Divorce Attorneys in Hillsborough County, Florida
At Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A., our skilled family law attorneys understand what is at stake during your divorce proceedings.
We take the time to listen to our clients throughout Hillsborough County, assisting you through the entire process and customizing every strategy to determine the best legal process for your divorce case.
Whether you are interested in exploring collaborative divorce, traditional litigation, or legal guidance with a high asset divorce, our Tampa attorneys are happy to assist.
Our professional attorneys proudly service clients throughout the Tampa Bay area, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Sarasota, Fish Hawk, and other towns in Pinellas and Hillsborough County, Florida.
Our legal team can assist with a variety of aspects of divorce, including:
- Pre-Divorce Planning
- Property Division/Equitable Distribution
- Collaborative Divorce
- Alimony
- Domestic Violence Injunctions
- Mediation
- Child Custody
- Child Support
Legal High-Asset Divorce Matters
Our Tampa family attorneys take particular pride in handling high-asset, substantial income cases in which alimony and equitable distribution are complex.
These high-asset divorce cases often involve issues of commingled nonmarital property or disproportionate distribution where 50/50 is simply not fair.
Our divorce attorneys associate with highly reputable financial experts to value closely held companies, determine tax issues, or assist with structured settlements.
At times, we will even contact forensic experts to locate assets or income sources, if necessary.
Tampa Divorce Attorneys Are Ready to Support You
It is vital to realize that divorces can be complex, and the divorce process can be long and time-consuming.
Our family law firm has one primary objective: to fight for the best outcome possible for our divorce clients.
When you hire our family law firm in Tampa, Florida, you will have the support and legal representation of a divorce lawyer who takes pride in their family law legal representation during this stressful time.
Call us at (813) 223-5421 or Contact Us Online Here to Arrange a Consultation Regarding Your Divorce!
Professional Tampa Divorce Lawyers Acquainted With Child-Related Advocacy
One of the most vital areas for clients in family law cases is child custody matters, which also contain complications of the legal visitation process. Heated conflicts between parents can keep the process from moving forward.
If you cannot agree, the FL court will decide based on your children's best interests following a divorce case.
Since the Florida Supreme Court depends on resolving family disputes quickly and effectively, the court often requests mediation for parents before divorce proceedings.
Legal family matters in Florida can be very diverse.
Our divorce lawyers can help you reduce unnecessary stress as you navigate legal matters ranging from divorce and property division to alimony, child custody, and child support.
Therefore, legal family issues must be attended to carefully, as the outcomes are often challenging to reverse.
How Do I File for Divorce in Tampa?
Florida is a no-fault divorce state, so the only reason you need to provide is that your marriage is irretrievably broken.
Another circumstance that qualifies you for divorce is if one of the parties has been deemed mentally incapacitated for at least three years. You will also need to prove that you and your partner are Florida residents.
Once that is established, you are eligible to file the Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage.
Whether you are serving divorce papers or the respondent, our attorneys and staff will be on your side every step of the way.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in Florida?
The time it takes to finalize a divorce in Florida depends on several factors, including whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce, where both spouses agree on all major issues such as property division, alimony, and child custody, typically moves through the legal system faster. In these cases, it may take as little as a few weeks to finalize once the necessary paperwork is filed and approved by the court.
On the other hand, a contested divorce, where spouses disagree on key issues, can take significantly longer. These cases often require mediation, court hearings, and possibly a trial to resolve disputes. Contested divorces may take several months or even over a year to finalize, depending on the complexity of the case and the court’s schedule.
Florida law requires at least one spouse to have been a resident of the state for six months prior to filing for divorce. Once the initial petition is filed, there is typically a mandatory waiting period of 20 days before a judge can finalize the divorce, even in uncontested cases. However, if disagreements arise or additional legal processes are required, this timeline can be extended.
In any divorce, having legal guidance helps ensure the process moves efficiently while protecting one’s rights, particularly when disputes arise over assets or child custody. A Tampa divorce attorney can assist in navigating these challenges and help expedite the process wherever possible.
Is Florida a 50-50 Divorce State?
Florida is an equitable distribution divorce state.
According to Florida laws, marital property is divided fairly, although not necessarily equal, in a divorce. Other states that divide everything equally and straight down the middle are known as community property states, and Florida is not one of them.
Consult with Our Compassionate Divorce Attorneys Today!
Our Limited Caseload means More Individual Attention
At Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A., our divorce lawyers offer clients advice based on many years of attending and conducting mediations, hearings, trials, and frequent research on cases interpreting the statutory law relevant to their legal issues.
Our legal team educates our Tampa clients on both the legal issues and facts in their favor as well as those that may present obstacles, so you can make the best decision for your unique circumstances.
Our legal team takes on a limited number of clients to provide you with the personal, tailored, and cost-effective divorce representation you deserve.
With law firms in both Tampa and St. Petersburg, FL, we are able to offer legal guidance to clients throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas County, Florida.
To schedule a consultation, call our team at (813) 223-5421 or fill out our online contact form today.
Related Reading
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“experience, expertise & empathy” - J.F.
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“The Best” - J.F.
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“Amazing” - Anonymous
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Nancy Hutcheson Harris Founder, Shareholder
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Joseph D. Hunt Shareholder
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Christine L. Derr Shareholder
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Katherine C. Scott Shareholder
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Nicole M. Gehringer Partner
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Cory A. Brandfon Attorney
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James J. Wimsatt Attorney
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Grace M. Samarkos Attorney
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M. Tess Bedell Attorney
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Cece Ingle Paralegal
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Phillip Drake Paralegal
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Tracy Reese Paralegal
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Katherine Kurbatov Paralegal
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Laura Holler Operations Manager
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Wanda Alton Receptionist
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Jill Gosline Legal Assistant
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Ashley James Executive/Marketing Assistant
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Lauren Weismann Legal Assistant