Weston Divorce Lawyer & Family Law Attorney
Quick Answer
How long does a divorce take in Weston, Florida?
Fla. Stat. § 61.19 sets a 20-day floor: no final judgment of dissolution may be entered until at least 20 days have elapsed from the filing of the original petition, unless the court finds that injustice would result from the delay and enters judgment earlier. § 61.021 adds the threshold condition that “one of the parties to the marriage must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition,” and § 61.052 lets the court grant the dissolution on a finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken. An uncontested Weston divorce therefore closes in about four to eight weeks; a contested one in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit generally runs eight to eighteen months.
Weston is a family-oriented Broward County community with a substantial Latin American population, gated neighborhoods, and top-rated schools. Pazos Law Group represents Weston clients in divorce, child custody, and family law matters in English and Spanish.
How long does a divorce take in Weston, Florida?
Florida is a no-fault state. Fla. Stat. § 61.052 lets the court dissolve a marriage that is “irretrievably broken,” and § 61.052(2) requires proof that the residency condition in § 61.021 — 6 months in the state before the petition is filed — has been met. Under § 61.19 the judgment cannot be entered until at least 20 days have elapsed from filing, absent a showing that the delay would cause injustice.
In Weston, cases involving planned-community homes, professional income, and long marriages take longer than the statutory minimum because valuation under § 61.075(7) and disclosure have to happen first. Agreed cases: about four to eight weeks. Contested cases in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit: usually eight to eighteen months, depending on the judge’s calendar and whether mediation under § 44.102 resolves the case.
How much does a divorce cost in Weston, Florida?
The Broward County Clerk of Courts publishes the current dissolution of marriage filing fee and related charges on its own fee schedule rather than in the statutes; check the clerk’s filing fee schedule before you budget, because the clerk revises it.
Beyond the clerk’s fee, the cost of a Weston divorce is driven almost entirely by how much of the case is litigated, and any figure varies by complexity. Illustrative flat fees on uncontested matters: $1,000–$2,500 without minor children, $1,500–$3,500 with minor children, and $750–$1,500 to prepare a marital settlement agreement where terms are already agreed. Contested files typically open with a $5,000–$15,000 retainer billed hourly.
Two statutory levers can shift the number. Fla. Stat. § 61.16 authorizes an award of attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs based on the parties’ relative financial circumstances and the Rosen factors. Fla. Stat. § 44.102 makes mediation available — and in most contested cases required — which is usually cheaper than trying § 61.075 and § 61.13 issues.
Where do I file for divorce in Broward County, Florida?
You file in the circuit court, not a city court. For Weston that means the Family Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (17th), with the Broward County Clerk of Courts accepting the petition at the Broward County Judicial Complex, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. All filings go through the statewide e-filing portal.
The petition must establish the § 61.021 residency condition — 6 months of Florida residency by one party before filing — and § 61.052(2) requires corroboration of it. Once filed, § 61.19 starts the 20-day clock before a final judgment can be entered. The Florida State Courts System maintains a general overview of Florida family courts.
Who can file in Weston under Fla. Stat. § 61.021?
Under Fla. Stat. § 61.021, “one of the parties to the marriage must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition.” Residence means physical presence with intent to remain; a Weston address alone will not carry it if the spouse actually lives elsewhere. Corroboration is required by § 61.052(2). Meeting § 61.021 gives the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit power to dissolve the marriage — personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state spouse for support and property is a separate question.
How is property divided under Fla. Stat. § 61.075?
Fla. Stat. § 61.075(1) tells the judge to “begin with the premise that the distribution should be equal” and to depart from it only for reasons the statute recognizes. That is the frame every Weston divorce starts in, whether the estate is a house and two retirement accounts or planned-community homes, professional income, and long marriages.
Classification comes first. Under § 61.075(6)(b), assets acquired before the marriage and gifts or inheritances to one spouse are nonmarital. Under § 61.075(6)(a)1.e, vested and nonvested retirement benefits accrued during the marriage are marital. Under § 61.075(7), the court picks the valuation date. Getting those three right usually decides the case before any argument about percentages.
What happens to the marital home?
It is treated like any other marital asset under Fla. Stat. § 61.075, with two wrinkles. Under § 61.075(6)(a)1.b, mortgage principal paid with marital funds and improvements made with marital effort convert part of a premarital home into a marital interest; Kaaa v. Kaaa, 58 So. 3d 867 (Fla. 2010), extends that to passive appreciation in defined circumstances. And under § 61.13 the court may award exclusive use and possession to the parent exercising the majority of time-sharing where that serves the children. Weston cases often turn on which of those applies.
Is time-sharing presumed equal in Florida since July 1, 2023?
Since 1 July 2023 the answer is yes, subject to proof. Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)1. creates a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing is in the child’s best interests, rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence. In practice that shifted the burden in Weston cases: the parent seeking a majority schedule now has to justify it against the presumption, using the § 61.13(3) best-interest factors. The parenting plan and the § 61.30 child support calculation are decided together, because overnights drive both.
How is child support calculated under Fla. Stat. § 61.30?
By formula, not by discretion. Fla. Stat. § 61.30 sets Florida’s child support guidelines: the parents’ combined net incomes are applied to the statutory schedule, the resulting obligation is apportioned between them, and health insurance and child care are added. The court may deviate, but a deviation of more than 5 percent from the guideline amount has to be explained in writing.
Overnights matter. Section § 61.30(11)(b)8. defines exercising a “substantial amount of time” as having the child at least 20 percent of the overnights — 73 nights a year — which triggers the gross-up calculation and can change the number materially. That is why Weston parents negotiate the § 61.13 parenting plan and the support figure at the same table.
Is mediation required before a contested hearing in Weston?
In practice, yes. Fla. Stat. § 44.102 authorizes courts to refer contested civil matters to mediation, and § 61.183 specifically addresses mediation of contested family issues including parenting and support. The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit refers essentially every contested dissolution to mediation before it will set a final hearing.
What is said there stays there. Fla. Stat. § 44.405 makes mediation communications confidential and privileged, subject to the exceptions listed in that section. A signed mediated agreement, by contrast, is a contract and is normally incorporated into the final judgment.
What kinds of alimony can a court award under Fla. Stat. § 61.08?
Since the 2023 amendments, Fla. Stat. § 61.08 recognizes temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony, and permanent alimony has been eliminated. The court must find need and ability to pay before awarding anything, and must make written findings on the type awarded and why.
Section § 61.08(8) caps durational alimony by reference to the length of the marriage, which gives Weston parties a far more predictable range than the pre-2023 law did. Alimony and equitable distribution under § 61.075 interact: an unequal distribution can reduce or eliminate a support claim, and the two are usually negotiated together.
Statutory citations link to the official text published by the Florida Legislature. General information about Florida family courts is published by the Florida State Courts System. This page is general information about Florida law, not legal advice for your case.
Divorce in Weston: An Overview
Looking for a Weston family law attorney? Pazos Law Group represents Weston families in divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, paternity, and post-judgment modifications. The City of Weston is one of Broward County's most affluent and family-focused communities, with strong schools, gated neighborhoods, and a large Latin American population. Divorces in Weston often feature substantial homes, business and professional practices, and bilingual family dynamics.
Why Local Experience Matters
Weston cases frequently call for bilingual representation, thoughtful parenting plans for school-age children, and asset division that reflects long-term family financial planning.
Family Law Services for Weston Residents
Pazos Law Group represents Weston clients in the full range of family law matters:
- Divorce — contested and uncontested dissolution of marriage under Florida law.
- High-Net-Worth Divorce — complex marital estates involving businesses, real estate, equity compensation, and international assets.
Where Your Case Is Heard
Weston divorces are heard in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Family Division, at the Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale.
About Pazos Law Group
Pazos Law Group is a South Florida family law firm founded by Nadia Pazos, who has practiced since 2005 and is licensed in both Florida and New York. Nadia holds the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell — Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating — and by Avvo Clients’ Choice. The firm serves clients in English and Spanish throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Specific Considerations for Weston Divorces
Nadia Pazos’s Weston Bar leadership
Nadia is a former Vice President of the Weston Bar Association, with deep ties to the Weston legal community. This isn’t marketing — it means real familiarity with the local judicial culture, court personnel, mediators, and bar relationships. For Weston families navigating divorce, working with counsel who knows the local legal community can materially reduce friction in court scheduling and mediation logistics.
The Weston demographic
Weston is one of Broward County’s most affluent and well-educated cities — planned-community development, top-rated schools, substantial Latin American (particularly Venezuelan, Colombian, Argentine) professional populations, and a working-professional demographic skewing toward finance, healthcare, and corporate executive roles. Divorces in Weston commonly involve significant marital homes in master-planned communities, international assets, professional practice ownership, equity compensation, and parenting plans for school-age children attending high-rated Broward County Public Schools.
Within Weston
Divorces commonly involve residents of communities such as Weston Hills Country Club, The Ridges, Savanna, Windmill Ranch Estates, Country Isles, Bonaventure, Indian Trace, Heron Bay Estates, the Town Foundation area, and the gated developments along Royal Palm Boulevard and Bonaventure Boulevard. Each has distinct HOA structures and property profiles affecting equitable distribution.
Equal time-sharing presumption + Broward schools
Florida’s 2023 amendments under SB 1416 establish a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing serves the child’s best interests (Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)). Weston has highly-rated schools — Cypress Bay High School, Falcon Cove Middle, Eagle Point Elementary, Country Isles Elementary — and parenting plans typically prioritize school-zone continuity. The 20 best-interests factors in § 61.13(3) accommodate Weston’s strong educational considerations.
International element
Weston’s substantial Venezuelan, Colombian, and Argentine populations produce divorces with cross-border considerations — foreign-titled real estate, family business interests across borders, dual citizenship issues for children, and currency considerations (particularly for Venezuelan clients whose home-country assets may have experienced significant depreciation or political-risk impact). The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980) governs cross-border parenting between signatory countries.
West Regional Courthouse
Most Weston family law matters can be heard at the West Regional Courthouse, 100 N Pine Island Road, Plantation — the closest courthouse for Weston residents. The West Regional Courthouse handles dissolution petitions, time-sharing modifications under Fla. Stat. § 61.13, and post-judgment enforcement. The 17th Judicial Circuit operates a comprehensive family mediation program under Fla. Stat. § 44.102, and most contested matters are referred to mediation before a final hearing.
Bilingual representation
Pazos Law Group represents Weston clients in English and Spanish (en inglés y en español). For Venezuelan, Colombian, Argentine, and other Latin American clients, the firm provides full-service Spanish-language representation including bilingual document review, depositions, and court appearances.
Faster, lower-cost options in Weston: if you and your spouse agree on the major issues, an uncontested divorce or a predictable flat-fee divorce is usually the fastest, least expensive path for Weston families.
What Our Clients Say
★★★★★“After consultations at other law firms, I knew immediately I wanted to go with Nadia. Not only was I made to feel so comfortable during the worst time of my life, but I was always kept informed. She truly cares about achieving the best.”
— Tracy Putter, Google Review
★★★★★“Nadia and her team were a pleasure to work with, especially during tough times. They managed to navigate some sticky situations with creativity and delivered the best results I could have hoped for. I highly recommend Pazos Law Group.”
— Brian Coolidge, Google Review
★★★★★“My divorce was really complex and as soon as I met Nadia and I explained my case, I knew that I had to go with her, not only because she is very professional but also because she has an excellent team.”
— Anayda Frisneda, Google Review
Reviews reflect the experiences of individual clients. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you serve Spanish-speaking clients in Weston?
Yes. Pazos Law Group represents clients in English and Spanish (en inglés y en español) throughout Weston and Broward County.
How are professional practices valued in a Weston divorce?
A professional practice is valued by a forensic accountant or business appraiser. Florida case law distinguishes enterprise goodwill (generally divisible) from personal goodwill of the professional (generally not divisible). Valuation methodology depends on facts and expert testimony.
How will my children's schedule work after divorce?
Florida requires a written parenting plan covering parental responsibility (decision-making) and time-sharing (the schedule). Plans typically address school days, weekends, holidays, summer, communication, and extracurriculars.
How much does a divorce cost in Weston?
Beyond the court's filing fee, the total cost depends primarily on whether your divorce is uncontested or contested. An uncontested divorce, where both spouses agree on all terms, is significantly less expensive. Contested cases involving disputes over assets, support, or time-sharing cost more because they require negotiation, discovery, and sometimes trial.
How long does a divorce take in Florida?
Florida law requires a minimum 20-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a divorce can be finalized (Fla. Stat. § 61.19). A fully uncontested divorce can conclude in roughly four to five weeks. Contested cases typically take several months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the issues and the court's calendar.
Will I lose my house in the divorce?
The marital home is subject to equitable distribution under Fla. Stat. § 61.075. "Equitable" means fair, which is not automatically a 50/50 split. Common outcomes include one spouse buying out the other's share, selling the home and dividing the proceeds, or deferring the sale (often when minor children remain in the home). A home owned before the marriage may be partly or fully non-marital.
Who gets custody of the children in Florida?
Florida uses the terms "time-sharing" and "parental responsibility" rather than "custody." Courts decide based on the best interests of the child under Fla. Stat. § 61.13. Since 2023, Florida law applies a rebuttable presumption that equal (50/50) time-sharing is in the best interest of the child, which a parent can overcome with evidence.
Should I move out before filing for divorce?
Moving out does not forfeit your ownership interest in the marital home or your parental rights. However, it can affect temporary living arrangements and the day-to-day time-sharing pattern a court may later formalize. If children are involved, speak with an attorney before relocating.
Request a Confidential Consultation in Weston
Tell us about your situation and Nadia Pazos will follow up personally. Bilingual · Hablamos Español · 305-482-1262.
★★★★★ 4.6 on Google · 50+ reviews · AV Preeminent® (Martindale-Hubbell) · 20+ years · Hablamos Español
Also Serving Broward County
Pazos Law Group represents clients throughout Broward County. Other locations we serve:
- Davie Divorce Attorney
- Fort Lauderdale Divorce Attorney
- Hollywood Divorce Attorney
- Miramar Divorce Attorney
- Pembroke Pines Divorce Attorney
Related Reading
- Weston Prenuptial Agreement Attorney
- How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Florida in 2026?
- How Long Does a Divorce Take in Miami-Dade?
- Florida Alimony: The 4 Types After 2023 Reform
- relocating more than 50 miles with a child — the consent or petition requirement under § 61.13001.
- petitioning for a domestic violence injunction — how protective orders are obtained and what they cover.
- the site directory — a single page listing everything published here.
Divorce in Weston: Affluent Families & the Venezuelan Community
Weston is an affluent, master-planned city known for excellent schools and one of the largest Venezuelan-American communities in the region. Marital estates often include a high-value home, professional or business income, and investment accounts — and many families maintain assets or ties in Venezuela or elsewhere in Latin America, raising disclosure, currency, and enforceability questions for foreign property and agreements signed abroad. Bilingual handling of financial records and testimony is frequently essential. With school-age children common, a careful parenting plan is central, and longer marriages bring the 2023 alimony rules into play. Weston cases are filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward County), at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.
Speak with a Weston Family Law Attorney
Pazos Law Group offers confidential consultations for Weston clients in divorce, child custody, and complex family law matters.
Schedule a Confidential ConsultationThe information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or sharing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Pazos Law Group. Florida law and the application of statutes change over time; please consult a licensed Florida attorney about your specific situation.