We all know that life throws curveballs, which sometimes involve high-stakes family law matters. Stakes in a family law case are high because they involve parts of your life that you hold most dear. So, when you need to head to family court, you should have an experienced family law attorney from Spring Hill, FL, by your side.
Attorney Jon Newlon of Newlon Law, P.A., has more than 25 years of experience and understands your needs and the challenges you face in family law situations. Newlon Law, P.A., is here to help you get the best results in any family law case.
Family Law Can Affect Many Areas of Your Life
A family law matter can take many forms, even within the same case. Your case may affect:
- Your finances,
- Your ability to parent,
- Where you live,
- Your employment options, and
- Your new relationships.
This all-encompassing aspect is why family law matters can feel like a storm. Fortunately, receiving clarity and guidance from our Spring Hill family law attorney at Newlon Law, P.A., can bring you peace and keep your legal affairs in order so your rights are respected and your family stays healthy.
Let’s talk about some of the specific areas where we can help.
Divorce
Divorce is not easy. It is a particularly challenging mix of emotional and legal processes. We can help you with both and guide you through every step. We can also help you understand your rights and responsibilities and protect your interests. Below is an outline of common issues in divorce cases and an overview of how Florida law treats them.
Asset and liability division
In any divorce, the court must decide what property each spouse should leave with and which debts each spouse should pay. Florida law requires courts to divide property and debts equitably. This process can be complicated, and you want to ensure you get a fair share.
When deciding how to divide assets and responsibilities in a divorce, the court looks at the following:
- Each spouse’s economic circumstances,
- The contribution each spouse made to the marriage,
- The length of the marriage,
- The contributions each spouse made to acquiring or enhancing the property in question or incurring the debt in question,
- The desirability of giving the marital home to the spouse with the main responsibility for caring for the couple’s children,
- The contribution each spouse made to the marriage,
- Any interruptions to education or career that a spouse experienced,
- The desirability of keeping certain property intact and free from interference or a claim from the other spouse,
- Any action a spouse took to intentionally waste or dissipate marital property, and
- Any other factor that is relevant.
Our family law attorney in Spring Hill, FL, can help you understand what these factors might mean for you. We can also help you gather all the information needed to advocate for a fair and equitable split in your case.
Alimony
Alimony is not always granted in a divorce, but depending on your circumstances, it can be a crucial part of your post-divorce life. You might need it, or you might be ordered to pay it. The court may order alimony to do the following:
- Help a spouse to adjust to their single life,
- Address a spouse’s financial needs, or
- Help a spouse develop skills to become self-sufficient.
Arguing for your right to receive alimony or defending yourself against an alimony claim can be a detailed process that we can handle for you.
When deciding whether to grant alimony, the court looks at the following:
- The requesting party’s need for alimony,
- The standard of living the parties had during the marriage,
- The paying party’s ability to pay alimony,
- The resources and income of each party,
- The length of the marriage,
- The needs each party will likely have after the divorce,
- Each party’s obligations regarding child care,
- The contribution each party made to the marriage, and
- The earning capacity of each party.
We can help you understand the above-listed factors and how they might affect your case.
Premarital agreements
You can cut through some of the noise and pain of a divorce by entering a premarital agreement that decides how you and your spouse will handle matters such as property division and alimony.
A premarital agreement can protect your assets and spell out what you should expect in a divorce so that you and your spouse don’t have to fight in court. However, your premarital agreement must be enforceable to give you these benefits.
A premarital agreement is not enforceable in Florida unless it has the following characteristics:
- Both spouses entered the agreement voluntarily;
- The agreement is fair; and
- The agreement is not the product of duress, coercion, fraud, or overreaching.
Before you negotiate or sign a prenuptial agreement, have our family law attorney in Spring Hill, FL, review it. We can help ensure that the agreement properly protects your interests and will hold up in court.
Child Custody
A child custody case can arise in a divorce or any time you and your child’s other parent don’t live together. We understand that your children are your priority and that you want the best for them, so we work to understand your circumstances so we can advocate for their best interests.
Florida child custody cases typically involve two aspects:
- Time-sharing—where a child will live and the kind of visitation rights each parent will have; and
- Parental responsibility—each parent’s right to make important decisions about the child’s life, including health care, education, religious upbringing, etc.
Courts make these decisions according to a child’s best interests. To make its decision, the court might also consider any parenting plan you or the other parent develop.
Our Spring Hill, FL, family law services team can help you create a parenting plan that prioritizes your children’s best interests and honors your parental rights. Parenting plans ensure that you and your former spouse maintain control and do not leave your parental rights to a judge.
Child Support
If you have a child custody case, you likely also have a child support case on your hands. Child support helps ensure both parents contribute to meeting your children’s financial needs.
Florida law bases a parent’s child support obligations on their monthly income and their child’s needs. We can help you understand how child support may be calculated in your case. We can also help you enforce an order against a delinquent parent.
Speak with One of the Best Family Law Attorneys in Spring Hill Today
Not only does Jon Newlon have more than two decades of experience, but he is also an award-winning attorney. His big firm and transactional experience gives him an edge in providing holistic and comprehensive representation to each client. With a highly experienced and respected attorney at the helm, Newlon Law, P.A., is the top choice for handling your family law needs throughout Hernando County.
If you’re facing a family law issue, don’t wait. Contact us today. You can reach out by phone or online to schedule a consultation. We are here to provide the family law services you need and deserve to protect your rights.
Resource List
- The 2024 Florida Statutes, §61.079, link.