Kissimmee Family Attorney

Providing Compassionate Legal Guidance in Family Law

Family issues can be among the most legally complex and emotionally challenging situations in a lifetime. Whether navigating divorce, seeking alimony, fighting for child custody, or dealing with a paternity dispute, you need a legal advocate who understands Florida family law and understands you and your concerns. At the Law Office of Erin Morse, we offer skilled, compassionate legal representation tailored to your unique goals and needs. Our experienced family law attorneys will work hard to protect your rights, relationships, and your future.

Comprehensive Family Law Services in Kissimmee

Our firm handles a broad range of family law matters with professionalism and discretion. The following are some of the key services we offer:

Divorce

As well as marking the end of a marriage, divorce can be a significant life transition that affects your finances, your living situation, and your relationship with your children. We help our clients navigate all aspects of divorce in Florida. Our Kissimmee family law attorneys have extensive experience in representing clients in the following two main types of divorce:

Uncontested divorce: In this type of divorce, the spouses can agree on every aspect, including child custody, property division, and spousal support. An uncontested divorce is usually quicker and less costly than a contested divorce.
Contested divorce: When spouses cannot agree on certain aspects of a divorce, it is contested. In this situation, important matters such as child custody, alimony, and division of assets and debts are left up to a judge to decide. Contested divorce often involves lengthy negotiations, mediation, and court appearances. It can be significantly more expensive and take much longer to finalize than an uncontested divorce.

In addition to the two main types of divorce, Florida allows for a mutual consent divorce, which is a simplified, expedited process for couples who meet certain criteria, such as agreeing on property division and having no minor children. Florida is a no-fault divorce state, meaning there is no need to prove your spouse was at fault for the marriage breaking down. You need only show that it is irretrievably broken, meaning the marriage can never be fixed.

Child Custody and Time Sharing

Disagreements over time-sharing and parental responsibility can be among the most emotionally charged issues in family law. In all decisions concerning child custody, Florida law emphasizes the child’s best interests. We focus on protecting the parent-child relationship and promote long-term stability. Our skilled Florida family law attorneys can help with the following:

Creating and modifying parenting plans
Establishing parental responsibility (joint or sole custody)
Enforcement of time-sharing orders
Relocation requests
Emergency custody actions

Child Support

Child support is designed to ensure children have access to the resources they need, regardless of which parent they live with most of the time. Child support guidelines in Florida are based on the income of both parents and how much time the child spends with each. Whether you are the paying or the receiving parent, we can help ensure the process is fair and in line with the law. We provide the following child support services to parents:

Establishing child support orders
Enforcing support obligations
Handling child support arrears
Modifying existing support orders

Alimony

Spousal support can be one of the most contentious aspects of divorce. Decisions are based on one spouse’s need for financial support and the other spouse’s ability to provide it. Family court judges may not award alimony to either party, particularly if both spouses have a similar financial situation. Whether you are seeking spousal support or being asked to pay for support, it is crucial to have a strong advocate to protect your rights. Depending on the financial circumstances and the length of the marriage, Florida courts may award any of the following types of spousal support:

Bridge-the-gap alimony: Short-term spousal support payments are designed to cover identifiable short-term needs to help a spouse transition from married to single status. The duration of bridge-the-gap alimony cannot exceed two years, and it cannot be modified in duration or amount.
Rehabilitative alimony: These support payments are aimed at helping a spouse become capable of self-support through education or vocational training. The amount of support needed and the timeline for rehabilitation must be outlined in a detailed plan.
Durational alimony: A support order of this nature can provide financial assistance for a specified period after a marriage of moderate or short duration. Durational alimony is modifiable if substantial changes in circumstances occur. The duration of payments cannot extend beyond the length of the marriage.
Permanent alimony: This type of alimony is typically awarded when a long-term marriage is dissolved. It is designed to ensure the standard of living established during the marriage can be maintained. Permanent alimony may continue until the remarriage of the recipient or the death of either spouse.

Property Division

Florida is an equitable distribution state for property division in a divorce. Marital property (assets and debts acquired during the marriage) will be divided fairly, but not necessarily equally, between the spouses. Determining what qualifies as marital vs. separate property can be a complicated issue. We work diligently to ensure you receive the fair share you are entitled to. Our Kissimmee divorce attorneys can assist with property division in the following ways:

Identifying and valuing assets
Uncovering hidden assets
Protecting separate property
Dividing business interests, real estate, and retirement accounts

Mediation

In family law, mediation is a valuable tool to help couples resolve disputes outside of court with the assistance of a neutral third party. Mediation is often required before litigation can proceed in Florida divorce and custody cases. It provides a more cost-effective, private, and cooperative environment for addressing issues such as property division, parenting plans, and child support.

Mediation encourages open communication and helps parties reach mutually agreeable solutions. It can reduce conflict, shorten legal proceedings, and result in longer-lasting resolutions. Our Florida family law attorneys can advocate for your rights, ensuring your interests are fully represented throughout the mediation process.

Paternity

Establishing paternity can give a father legal rights to custody and visitation. It can also help ensure a child receives support, access to medical history, and inheritance rights. We handle paternity cases for mothers seeking child support and for fathers seeking to assert their rights. This may involve filing petitions to establish paternity, DNA testing, negotiating parenting plans and support agreements, and representing clients in paternity disputes.

Domestic Violence

If you are a victim of domestic violence, your safety is our top priority. We can help you file a protective order and represent you in court. Our lawyers handle petitions for protection against domestic violence and violations of restraining orders. Do not face this alone! We can help you find protection and peace of mind.

Modifications

In family law, modification refers to the legal process of changing an existing court order related to divorce, child custody, child support, parenting plans, or alimony. To justify a modification in Florida, you must demonstrate a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances. Common reasons include remarriage, changes in income, relocation, and the evolving needs of a child. The court prioritizes the best interests of the child in modifications of child custody and child support.

Prenups

A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is a legal contract entered into before marriage that outlines how assets and debts are to be divided and how a range of financial matters will be resolved in a divorce or at the death of a spouse. In Florida, a prenup can protect individual property, define spousal support terms, and clarify financial responsibilities during the marriage. Our experienced family law attorneys can draft a fair and valid agreement.

Estate Planning

Estate planning often intersects with family law, particularly in matters involving blended families, guardianship, and protecting children’s futures. The process involves creating legal documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, to ensure your wishes are honored after death or during incapacity. Estate planning is particularly important for parents, divorced persons, and those with minor children, as it allows them to designate guardians, manage asset distribution, and avoid family disputes.

Get Skilled Legal Representation

If you are dealing with a family law matter in Florida, you do not have to face it alone. The decisions you make today can affect your family, finances, and peace of mind for years to come. Let us help you make informed, confident choices.

Our seasoned Kissimmee family law attorneys at the Law Office of Erin Morse are passionate about helping families through difficult times. Our practice is devoted exclusively to a wide range of family law matters. We excel in crafting creative legal strategies and, as litigators, are known for vigorously protecting clients’ rights. If you are dealing with a family issue in Central Florida, call (407) 900-7451 to find out how we can help.