Jacksonville Divorce Attorneys
The dissolution of a marriage has lasting consequences for the parties involved, including parenting time and timesharing, child support, and the division of marital property. Jacksonville divorce attorney Elizabeth Ondriezek has over 17 years of experience representing divorce clients in high net worth or high conflict cases. Her professional background in accountancy and the mortgage industry, as well as her experience as a Supreme Court Certified Mediator and guardian ad litem, benefit her clients throughout Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties. The law office of Elizabeth R. Ondriezek, P.A. can help you work through every issue in your divorce.
Timesharing (Visitation)
Florida law is intended to give both parents frequent and continuing contact with their children after a divorce. Even so, the issues of parenting time and timesharing can be among the most difficult and emotionally challenging issues to resolve in a dissolution of marriage or paternity matter. The judge has the authority to decide the amount of parenting time and timesharing, including giving one parent the major role in parenting time or even awarding sole custody to only one parent, if the judge is persuaded that such an arrangement is in the child’s best interests. Elizabeth Ondriezek has over 17 years of experience as a determined and compassionate advocate for children. She can help the parties come together on a workable parenting plan or convince the judge of a timesharing arrangement that is in the best interests of the children and parents.
Child Support
Both parents have a legal obligation to support their children financially. When the marriage dissolves or a paternity matter is finalized, one parent may be entitled to an amount of child support from the other. Florida law uses a complex formula to determine the appropriate monthly amount, based on the combined incomes of both parents, the number of children, the number of overnights each child has with each parent, and expenses such as child care, health insurance and medical expenses.
The child support formula serves as a guideline for the court, but the judge is authorized by law to deviate from the formula amount by ordering more or less support when convinced a deviation is appropriate. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Elizabeth Ondriezek can work to make sure your spouse’s income is reported correctly, including business ownership interests, self-reported business income and all other relevant sources of income that may be difficult to find or valuate. If a deviation from the guideline amount is called for, she will thoroughly prepare and present the appropriate argument for an adequate amount of child support.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
Similarly, the court could order one party to pay alimony or spousal support to the other party, depending upon a number of factors such as the length of the marriage, the income and earning capacity of each party, and the standard of living established during the marriage. Skilled and effective advocacy is important to being well-represented and achieving a fair outcome on the issue of spousal support.
Equitable Distribution (Division of Assets and Debts)
The judge in a Florida divorce has to decide how to distribute the marital assets (and debts) in a manner that is equitable, or fair, to the divorcing couple. The court looks at a variety of factors in making this determination, including, but not limited to:
The duration of the marriage
The financial contributions each spouse made during the marriage
Contributions of each spouse toward the management and operation of the household
How much one spouse contributed to the career or education of the other, including financial contributions as well as sacrificing one’s own career or education to take care of the family
Given the wide discretion of the judge to divide the property in an “equitable” manner, it is very important that every piece of property be located, properly characterized as marital or separate property, and accurately valued. With her CPA background and work in the mortgage industry, Ms. Ondriezek has experience managing the complications involved in the division of marital property, including dividing and selling real estate and refinancing debt associated with real property.
Experienced Jacksonville Divorce Attorneys
In all matters related to your divorce or other family law matter, it is imperative that you retain experienced, aggressive legal counsel to represent your interests. The decisions made in your divorce will continue to impact you and your children for years to come. In Jacksonville and surrounding areas in Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties, contact Elizabeth R. Ondriezek, P.A. for assistance.
