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Divorce Helping People Move Forward with Their Life

Getting a Divorce in Fort Walton Beach?

Smoothly Navigate Your Divorce - Call Us at 800-822-5170

Have you been served divorce papers by your spouse? Have you have decided that going through a divorce is the best thing for you? If so, then you will need a skilled lawyer to assist you.

Representing individuals going through a divorce is one of our main focuses at The Virga Law Firm, P.A. Combined, our team has over 100 years of collective experience and we're committed to making the divorce process as smooth as possible for our clients.

We aim to provide you with support and a caring, compassionate environment during this time. Our goal is to work toward a fair resolution with as little stress as possible. We are dedicated to protecting your rights, whether we go to litigation or not.

Our team can help with all aspects of your divorce, including:

Florida Divorce Laws

Either spouse must be a Florida resident for at least six months before filing for divorce.

Florida is a "no-fault" divorce state, meaning that neither party needs to prove wrongdoing to obtain a divorce. The only requirement is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

To initiate the divorce process, one spouse (the petitioner) files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the court. The other spouse (the respondent) is served with the petition and has a specified time to respond.

There are two main types of divorce: contested and uncontested divorce.

In an uncontested divorce, spouses can reach an agreement on all relevant issues. The final divorce decree reflects the terms agreed upon by the spouses.

Here are the common divorce-related issues:

  • Property Division: Florida follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means that marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. Marital property includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage.
  • Alimony: Alimony, or spousal support, may be awarded based on factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's financial situation, and contributions to the marriage.
  • Child Custody and Support: If the couple has children, issues of child custody (now referred to as time-sharing) and child support will be addressed. The court considers the best interests of the child when making custody decisions.

In contrast, a contested divorce occurs when the spouses are unable to reach an agreement on one or more key issues.

In the event of a contested divorce, Florida often encourages mediation to help couples reach agreements on divorce-related terms without going to trial. However, if the issues are not resolved in mediation, then the court will settle the matter.

Once all issues are resolved, a final judgment of dissolution of marriage is entered, officially ending the marriage. Contested divorces generally take longer to conclude and may be more emotionally and financially draining on the parties involved.

Why Hire a Lawyer?

Whether you're dealing with a contested or uncontested divorce, hiring a divorce attorney can be beneficial for various reasons. While the extent of their involvement may vary depending on the nature of the divorce, here are reasons why you might need a divorce lawyer in both contested and uncontested situations:

  • Legal Expertise: A divorce lawyer has a deep understanding of family law and can provide valuable legal advice tailored to your specific situation.
  • Understanding of Legal Rights: Your attorney can ensure that you are aware of your legal rights and entitlements, helping you make informed decisions during negotiations or court proceedings.
  • Drafting and Reviewing Documents: A divorce lawyer can help in drafting and reviewing legal documents, such as the divorce agreement, to ensure that all terms are clear, comprehensive, and legally sound.
  • Addressing Potential Issues: In uncontested divorces, unexpected issues may arise. Having a lawyer ensures that you are prepared to address any legal challenges that may come up during the process.
  • Filing Procedures: Lawyers are familiar with the procedural requirements for filing divorce documents. They can ensure that all paperwork is properly completed and submitted to the court in accordance with local regulations.
  • Mediation Assistance: If mediation is involved in the uncontested divorce process, a lawyer can provide guidance, ensuring that your interests are protected during the negotiation phase.
  • Representation in Court: In contested divorces, where disputes require court intervention, having a lawyer to represent your interests is crucial. They can present your case, argue on your behalf, and navigate complex legal procedures.
  • Gathering and Presenting Evidence: A divorce lawyer can assist in gathering necessary evidence and presenting it in a compelling manner to support your claims, whether related to asset division, alimony, or child custody.
  • Negotiation Skills: Lawyers are skilled negotiators. They can engage in negotiations with the other party's attorney to try and reach a settlement that is favorable to you without the need for a protracted court battle.

Results Driven, Client Focused

With over four decades of combined experience, we have proven ourselves as an established family law firm, representing clients throughout Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties. 

Our legal team leverages decades of combined experience to guide clients successfully through the divorce process and all other family law matters they may be facing.

We achieve efficient results through the following:

  • A Personalized Approach – Every individual, marriage, and divorce is unique, which is why we take a personalized approach to handling cases. We take the time to understand clients’ concerns, situations, and goals, and craft legal strategies tailored to fit their needs. For example, we have the breadth of experience to assist clients who want to amicably resolve matters through mediation or fight on their behalf during litigation. Clients are not treated as numbers at The Virga Law Firm, P.A.
  • Attention to Detail – It’s our job to decipher how Florida family law applies to your case, and we focus on all matters involved to create a comprehensive solution. This includes addressing any and all matters that make a case unique, such as children, high net worth, domestic violence, military law, and more.
  • A Focus on Your Best Interests – Our focus is to protect the rights and interests of our clients. We know our clients are real people whose futures are impacted by our work, and we take pride in providing sound advice driven by strategic problem solving. We help our clients understand what they can reasonably expect with their given situation, and we work toward securing the best resolution possible. When it makes sense, we have the tools to fight and litigate for the results our clients want.

Providing Skilled Legal Support 24/7

While no divorce case is easy, we are committed to representing your best interests. We even give you our personal phone numbers to assure you we are here for you around the clock to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Choosing the right attorney to represent you in a divorce case can be difficult. Our attorneys are prepared for virtually any challenge you throw at us. To schedule a case consultation, call us now at 800-822-5170.

Contact us to get the dedicated assistance of our lawyers.

Our Core Values

  • The Client Comes First and All Else Will Follow
    We take pride in delivering best-in-class client service and experience, understanding the privilege and responsibility we have when assisting clients and their families through legal matters. It is our highest obligation.
  • Authenticity and Transparency
    We believe in being transparent about who we are, with ourselves, each other, and our clients and partners. This authenticity builds trust and fosters strong relationships.
  • Relentless Pursuit of the Win
    We achieve stellar results by focusing on personal and professional performance and goals. Our relentless pursuit ensures we deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.
  • Growth Mindset
    We continuously learn, grow, and improve as individuals, as a law firm, and as advocates for our clients. We set and exceed both personal and professional goals to ensure ongoing development.
  • Ownership
    We take responsibility for our work and actions, ensuring accountability in all that we do. Our commitment to ownership drives excellence and fosters a culture of trust and reliability.
  • Results Driven
    We focus on outcomes and disregard the level of effort required. We have the vision and the discipline to do the work and face challenges to make our vision a reality for our clients.
  • Respect and Celebration for One Another
    We support each other with kindness and respect, emphasizing a positive work culture and celebrating along the way. We respect our clients and support them through their challenges.
  • Unquestionable Integrity
    We stand up for what’s right with consistently sound ethics and courageous honesty. Our integrity is the foundation of our practice and guides our actions and decisions.
  • We are in it Together
    We are client and team-focused, committed to the firm’s vision, and act for the greater good. We carry our weight, bring others along, and act with civility, candor, and respect in all interactions.
  • Reputation
    Reputation is everything. We strive to have the best personal and professional reputations. We want our reputation to precede us and for opposing counsel to know we are committed to fighting for our clients.
  • Community Stewardship
    We embody the concept of giving back to the community. The Virga Law Firm is committed to supporting and improving the community through responsible and caring actions, setting an example of character.

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    • "He listened carefully."
      He answered in a way that helped me understand the law better.
      - A Divorce Client
    • "Gerard has been monumental to my case."
      Gerard has been monumental to my case. I recognized I needed an attorney who was committed to a positive outcome for my children and I. Gerard made himself available to answer all of my questions and concerns. I felt very comfortable working with the Virga Law Firm.
      - A Divorce Client
    • "Eager to help and fight for clients."
      I will definitely be recommending to anyone I know that needs a child custody or divorce attorney!
      - A Divorce Client
    • "Fast and supportive service."
      The Virga Law Firm, P.A. was a blessing during my divorce. Always available for questions, they made the process fast and fair. No need to fight—they handled it all. I'd recommend them in a heartbeat.
      - Visi, A Divorce Client