Tel. (352) 394-1000     Email: edwardpjordan@cfl.rr.com

Edward P. Jordan II, P.A. works closely with our clients to achieve an equitable agreement in all domestic relations cases. Our firm represents both husbands and wives in disputes involving divorce (contested and non-contested), alimony, child custody, child support, visitation, equitable distribution of assets and debts, name changes and related family law litigation. We are also honored to represent our clients in adoption proceedings. We seek to amicably resolve all issues and to minimize any adverse emotional and economic impact on all parties involved, inclusive of minor children.

You may access the Florida Statutes governing Dissolution of Marriage, Support and Custody issues by utilizing our Links to Law located on our home page. The specific chapter governing these issues is Chapter 61.

Florida is a "No Fault" State, meaning a spouse need not allege a bad act as a basis for a divorce. However, an individual must plead that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" or mental incapacity of one of the parties pursuant to §744.331 of the Fla. Statutes.

In distributing and allocating the parties' assets and debts, the Court will consider all relevant factors including:

1. The contribution of the marriage by each spouse (including caregiving of children);
2. The economic circumstances of the parties;
3. The duration of the marriage;
4. Any interruption in personal careers or educational opportunities of the parties;
5. The contribution of a spouse to the personal career or educational opportunities of the other;
6. The desirability of retaining any asset free from any claim by the other;
7. The contribution of each spouse to the acquisition, enhancement and production of income or the improvement of, or the incurring of liabilities to, both the marital assets and the non-marital assets of the parties;
8. The desirability of retaining the marital home as a residence for any dependent children of the marriage;
9. The intentional dissipation, waste, depletion, or destruction or marital assets after the filing of the petition or within 2 years prior to the filing of the petition; and
10. Any other factors necessary to do equity and justice between the parties.

In determining whether alimony is applicable, the Court will consider factors including:

1. The standard of living established during the marriage;
2. The duration of the marriage;
3. The age and the physical and emotional condition of each party;
4. The financial resources of each party;
5. When applicable, the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable such party to find appropriate employment;
6. The contribution of each to the marriage, including homemaking, child care, education, and career building of the other party; and
7. All sources of income available to either party.

In determining primary residential care for minor children, the Court will consider factors including:

1. The parent who is more likely to allow the child frequent and continuing contact with the non-resident parent;
2. The love, affection and emotional ties existing between the parents and children;
3. The capacity of the parents to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care and other material needs;
4. The length of time the child has lived in a stable environment;
5. The permanence, as a family unit, of the custodial home;
6. The moral fitness of the parents;
7. The mental and physical health of the parents;
8. The home, school and community record of the child;
9. The reasonable preference of the child, if the Court deems the child to be of sufficient intelligence, understanding and experience to express a preference;
10. The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close relationship between the child and the other parent;
11. Evidence that any party has knowingly provided any false information to the Court regarding a domestic violence proceeding;
12. Evidence of domestic violence or child abuse; and
13. Any other factor considered by the Court to be relevant.

In calculating child support requirements, please visit our Links to Law located on our home page, and go to Fla. Statute §61.30.

Our firm also takes special pride in Leading You Through the Law concerning the adoption of children and related issues. You may access the Fla. Statute Chap. 63, which governs policies and procedures of adoptions, by visiting our home page and clicking on Resource Links.

In addition, we prepare, review, and counsel on Ante-Nuptual Agreements, Pre-Nuptual Agreements, and Post-Nuptual Agreements.