Tequesta & Hobe Sound Divorce Attorney

By Nadia Pazos, Family Law Attorney, Pazos Law Group · Updated May 2026

Tequesta, Jupiter Island, and Hobe Sound form a north Palm Beach / south Martin County corridor known for ultra-private wealth. Jupiter Island specifically is among the wealthiest small communities in the United States. Divorces here are characterized by privacy, complex trust holdings, and multi-county jurisdiction considerations.

Divorce in Tequesta & Hobe Sound: An Overview

This corridor spans two counties — Tequesta (ZIP 33469) sits in northern Palm Beach County, while Hobe Sound (33455) and Jupiter Island (33455) are in Martin County. Jupiter Island in particular has long been one of the most private and exclusive enclaves in the country, with median home values among the highest in Florida. Divorces in this corridor often involve:

• Ultra-private clients who require careful media and disclosure management
• Generational wealth held through layered trusts and family offices
• Oceanfront and Intracoastal estates with limited comparables for valuation
• Multi-state or international tax considerations
• Jurisdictional questions if spouses live across county lines (Palm Beach vs. Martin)

The two counties have different circuit courts. Palm Beach County is in the 15th Judicial Circuit; Martin County is in the 19th Judicial Circuit. The case is filed in the county where the parties last lived together (or where the petitioner resides, in some cases). Choosing the correct venue at filing matters.

Family Law Services for Tequesta & Hobe Sound Residents

Pazos Law Group represents clients in Tequesta & Hobe Sound across the full spectrum of family law matters that tend to arise in high-asset households:

• High-net-worth divorce — Equitable distribution of complex marital estates, business interests, deferred compensation, retirement accounts, and offshore holdings.
• Business owner divorce — Valuation of closely-held businesses, treatment of partnership interests, and structuring buyouts.
• International divorce coordination — Where parties or assets are outside the United States, including coordination with foreign counsel.
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements — Drafting and enforcement under Fla. Stat. § 61.079.
• Child custody and time-sharing — Parenting plans addressing private school placements, international travel, and security.
• Mediation and collaborative divorce — Confidential settlement processes that keep financial details out of public court filings.

Where Your Case Is Heard

15th Judicial Circuit for Tequesta (Palm Beach County) and 19th Judicial Circuit for Hobe Sound (Martin County). Mediation is required in nearly all contested cases before a final hearing can be set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I file if I live in Hobe Sound but my spouse lives in Tequesta?

Florida venue rules generally allow filing in the county where the petitioner resides or where the parties last lived together. Tequesta is in Palm Beach County (15th Circuit); Hobe Sound is in Martin County (19th Circuit). The choice can have strategic implications based on the judges, mediator availability, and procedural rhythms of each circuit.

How do I protect my family's privacy in a Jupiter Island divorce?

Privacy is preserved most effectively through pre-suit planning and settlement via mediation. Court filings are public by default, so settling before contested filings expose financial details is the most reliable path. Limited circumstances allow sealing of specific documents.

Is Florida residency easier or harder to establish in these towns?

The 6-month residency requirement under Fla. Stat. § 61.021 applies the same way regardless of town. Common documentation: Florida driver's license, voter registration, homestead election, and primary-residence designation. Seasonal residents may need a corroborating witness.

How is trust-held real estate treated in divorce?

Real estate held in a trust where one spouse is a beneficiary is treated differently than directly-owned real estate. The beneficiary's interest is generally non-marital, but trust distributions and appreciation may be marital depending on facts. Tracing is critical.

My spouse and I both live on Jupiter Island. Can the case be heard in Martin County?

Yes. Both Hobe Sound and Jupiter Island are in Martin County (19th Judicial Circuit), so a case where both spouses reside on Jupiter Island would typically be filed in Martin County.

Also Serving Nearby Communities

Related Reading

• High-Net-Worth Divorce in Florida — Complete Guide
• Florida Equitable Distribution Explained
• Divorce for Business Owners in Florida
• Hidden Assets in a Florida Divorce

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Florida family law is fact-specific. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Pazos Law Group.