Families change over time, and Florida family laws tend to change right along with them. With 25 years of legal experience, attorney Jon Newlon from Newlon Law, P.A., understands how important it is to stay informed about changes in the law that can affect your family’s life.
Today, we want to discuss some key updates to Florida family law, focusing on divorce, child custody, and child support. If you have specific questions about what these changes might mean for you, talk to Newlon Law, P.A., today. We provide award-winning advocacy and want the best for Florida’s families.
New Divorce Law in Florida
Issues regarding property division touch almost every divorce. House Bill 521 is a new divorce law in Florida that just became effective in the summer of 2024. Its provisions update rules for what property and debts count as marital property and debts. Let’s take a closer look at these new provisions below.
Defining and Valuing Marital Assets
When a married couple divorces, the court must decide what marital property each spouse can take with them and which marital debts they must pay. Once the court determines what properties and debts are marital, it values them and divides them equitably.
Defining marital assets
The first tricky step in many divorce proceedings is identifying what assets and liabilities are marital and subject to division. Previously, the law included property and debts acquired or incurred during the marriage, separate property enhanced or paid down because of marital resources, and interspousal gifts as marital property. Now, interests in closely held businesses are also marital property.
The new law also states that interspousal real estate gifts are invalid unless they follow Florida’s rules for conveying real estate. Additionally, the new law clarifies that the act of one spouse joining the other in signing over a property deed to a third party does not necessarily turn the property or its proceeds into marital property.
Valuing marital assets
House Bill 521 also sets forth an intricate method for valuing a martial property business interest. With the law’s update, valuing a business interest before dividing it in a divorce includes considering the following:
- The fair market value of the business,
- The value of any business goodwill that is separate from the reputation of either spouse, and
- The effect that a covenant not to compete might have on evaluating the business’s goodwill.
Figuring out what these changes might mean for you can be a complex undertaking, but you don’t have to worry about it when Newlon Law, P.A., is by your side. Jon Newlon has significant transactional and big firm experience that helps him accurately appraise your marital assets and ensure you receive a favorable share.
Updates to Child Custody Laws
Child custody, also referred to as time-sharing and parental responsibility, is another area that has undergone a significant change. Florida custody laws focus on the best interests of the child, with an emphasis on frequent and continuing contact between the child and both parents. Changes in the law add measures to keep parents and children safe when the parents share childcare responsibilities.
House Bill 385 took effect in the summer of 2024 and includes requirements for parents who exchange their children according to a custody order. The bill also allows family courts to require parents to exchange their child in a neutral and safe location, such as the parking lot of a sheriff’s office. Courts can require a neutral and safe exchange spot if they find that an exchange poses an imminent threat of harm to anyone involved.
New Child Support Laws in 2025
Child support is another critical aspect of family law, and there have been recent updates to the rules and guidelines.
2023 House Bill 1087 adds that getting involved with job training may entitle a parent who is delinquent on their child support payments to receive a payment deferral and avoid driver’s license suspension. The bill also adds a rule requiring the Department of Revenue to record and give credit for certain out-of-state child support payments made by a parent.
A particularly big change in Florida child support laws came from Senate Bill 226. This bill became effective in the summer of 2023 and gives a comprehensive outline for requiring parents to pay child support for certain adult children. Typically, a child support obligation in Florida lasts until the child turns 18 (or 19 if the child is working to graduate from high school).
Under Senate Bill 226 and its creation of Florida Statute section 61.1255, an adult child who is unmarried and is incapable of supporting themselves because of an incapacity that started before adulthood may be entitled to child support.
Generally, a parent must begin a case for this type of support before the child turns 17.5 years old. Also, the parent paying support must make the payments directly to one of the following individuals and not the other parent:
- The adult child,
- The child’s guardian ad litem,
- The child’s legal agent, or
- A special needs trust.
Having these laws on the books can be a great relief for parents who know their children will need extra support into their adult years.
Stay Informed
Florida family law is complex and constantly evolving. Staying informed is crucial to protecting your rights and the well-being of your family. If you have questions about these changes or are facing a family law matter, please seek the advice of a knowledgeable attorney. Jon Newlon is highly experienced in family law and stays on top of changes to the law to help ensure the best outcomes for clients.
Contact Newlon Law, P.A., Today
At Newlon Law, P.A., we are committed to providing our clients with the knowledge and support they need to navigate any family law situation. Jon Newlon has received several top honors from the legal community. He also develops comprehensive solutions for each client tailored to their circumstances and goals. Please contact us by phone or online today to get started.