Divorce Effectively Advocating for You with Compassion and Integrity

Sarasota Divorce Lawyer

Serving Floridians in Sarasota & Manatee Counties

Divorce is a commonly a complex and emotional process affecting both couples and their children. The end of a marriage can invoke a range of strong emotions, including sadness, anger, frustration, and anxiety. While dealing with the emotional toll, it can also require navigating complex legal processes and making significant decisions about your future, which can be stressful and overwhelming.

Divorce often involves major changes in lifestyle and routine. You may need to sell the family home, divide assets and debts, and establish new living arrangements. These changes can be disruptive and unsettling, particularly if children are involved.

In some cases, divorce may also involve bitter conflict between spouses. This further complicates the process, making reaching rational and mutually agreeable solutions difficult.

At McDermott Law Offices, PLLC, we understand the challenges involved in the divorce process. Our attorney has handled thousands of cases and has built a reputation for integrity, dedication, and responsive client service. Attorney Paul McDermott brings clients over two decades of experience, including litigation, negotiation, formal mediation, and collaborative law as options to the divorce process.

Learn more about your case and options by consulting our Sarasota divorce attorney. Call (941) 837-5071 or contact us online to get started.

Divorce in Florida

Florida is a "no-fault" divorce state. This means a married couple can file for dissolution of marriage based on "irreconcilable differences" or if the marriage is "irretrievably broken."

It is unnecessary to prove other grounds for divorce, such as adultery, abuse, or abandonment. The divorce process can be simple or complex and involves dividing assets and debts, determining when each parent will spend time with children, establishing child support and alimony, if applicable, and resolving a wide range of other marital issues relevant to the case.

Divorce is a life-changing event, but with the right approach, it doesn't have to define your future or drain your finances. Every case is unique, and we're here to listen, find the right solutions for you, and help ease your transition into the future.

Simplified Divorce in Florida

Florida offers a streamlined divorce process called a "Simplified Dissolution of Marriage," available to couples meeting specific requirements. This streamlined process may be appropriate for couples who file for a no-fault dissolution, do not have significant assets or debts, and agree on splitting those they do have, do not have alimony disputes, have no minor children, or where a pregnancy is not in play.

Child Custody in Florida Divorce

Where couples cannot agree on custody and parenting plans, the courts decide based on the child’s best interests. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve sole or shared custody arrangements and parenting plans.

Parenting plans are required in all cases involving time-sharing with minor children, even when time-sharing is not in dispute. A parenting plan is a written agreement that outlines how parents will share the rights and responsibilities of raising their children, including time-sharing schedules and decision-making responsibilities.

The court must approve the parenting plan, which describes in detail how the parents will share and be responsible for daily tasks associated with the child's upbringing and how they will communicate with each other about the child.

The 12th Judicial Circuit has created four parenting plans: a Basic Plan, a Long Distance Plan, a Highly Structured Plan, and a Safety. The plan choice depends on the specific situation of the parents and the children involved. A parenting plan aims to promote the child’s best interests and establish a framework for co-parenting after separation or divorce.

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Resolution Methods for Divorce

Various litigation and non-litigation methods can be used to obtain a divorce in Florida. Litigation typically involves going to court and having a judge decide about the multiple issues involved in the divorce.

Non-litigation methods, such as formal mediation and collaborative divorce, offer alternative ways to resolve disputes and come to mutually agreeable solutions.

Formal mediation involves a neutral third party who helps the couple negotiate and reach a settlement agreement. Attorney Paul McDermott has represented clients in hundreds of mediations. The Court requires the parties to mediate prior to scheduling a trial in the case.

Collaborative divorce involves each spouse hiring their own attorney and committing to resolving disputes through negotiation and cooperation rather than litigation. Mr. McDermott is a trained collaborative divorce lawyer.

McDermott Law Offices, PLLC, Provides Options that Meet Your Needs.

Whether you seek a contested or uncontested divorce, our experienced family law attorney can help you navigate the process and protect your rights and interests. We can also help you explore alternative dispute resolution methods, such as formal mediation and collaborative divorce, to achieve a more amicable and cost-effective resolution.

We understand the emotional and financial toll divorce can take on you and your family. Our team can provide the support and guidance you need to navigate the complex divorce process in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Contact us by email or phone at (941) 837-5071 to learn more about how we can help.

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"Truly Exceptional"
Mr. McDermott graciously reviewed my case with a sincere interest. I have never encountered a lawyer attorney with his level of professionalism, kindness and empathy.

- Carol L.
"Personable and Genuine"
He was respectful, experienced, personable, and genuine. Throughout the entire divorce process, I was not once disappointed.

- Teresa H.
"Calm and Considerate"
Paul was always calm, organized, and helpful during my time of need. The team was also very caring and considerate like it was their own life they were dealing with!

- Casey E.
"Kindess in a Legal Team"
Paul and Louise were professional, knowledgeable, prompt in my returning my calls and above all else, kind to the situation at hand.

- Joanne H.
"Excellent Legal Expertise"
As you can imagine any divorce is traumatic. Working with Mr. McDermott made the process better. His good listening skills, compassion and legal expertise were excellent.

- Jeffrey H.
"Just Great!"
Great attorneys - more like family. Will never go anywhere else. Gave me way more than I could afford because they care about people. Just great.

- Pete L.
"Honest and Responsive"
Mr. McDermott provided me with the greatest counseling and representation that I could ask for. I really appreciate his honesty, integrity, and responsiveness.

- Sergio A.
"Excellent Counsel"
I strongly recommend using Paul McDermott. Paul always had my best interests in mind when deciding our course of action.

- William G.

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What Sets Us Apart

Compassionately Aggressive
We understand this can be a difficult process; we care for the person behind the case, while still fighting aggressively for your rights.
Responsive and Reachable
You'll never wonder where your case stands; we'll return you calls and walk you through the process every step of the way.
Prioritizing Your Experience
We have served thousands of clients, providing excellent customer service with the utmost integrity.
Serving Clients Since 2001

Paul McDermott has been effectively advocating for clients like you for over twenty years.