Best Orlando Divorce Attorneys

Divorce lawyers in Orlando answer to a court that leans hard on mediation. The Ninth Judicial Circuit sends every contested family case there, and some judges want it finished before hearing a temporary support motion. A firm that walks in unprepared can cost you months. The attorneys below sit at that table constantly.

To compile this list, we review Orlando Divorce Lawyers based on public information, client feedback, and professional standing.

  • Bar standing and public disciplinary history review
  • Documented case results and courtroom trial experience
  • Peer recognition within the legal community
  • Client reviews, communication, and responsiveness
  • Consistency of public reviews across multiple platforms

Rankings are determined independently based on public information and editorial research.

Orlando Family Law Attorneys for Custody, Alimony & Property Cases

Screenshot of the DeWitt Law Firm, P.A. - Top Divorce Lawyers in Orlando, FL Website
1800 Pembrook Drive, Suite 150, Orlando, FL 32810, USA

Founded by Sherri K. DeWitt, this Central Florida practice has represented clients for more than 25 years. It is one of the larger full-service options if you need a divorce lawyer in Orlando under the same roof as other services.

The firm's ten attorneys cover family law, personal injury, and real estate. That range helps when a marriage breakup also involves a house sale or a pending injury claim.

Offices in Orlando, Tampa, and Rockledge serve clients across the region. Phones are answered around the clock, and the team has been featured by Orlando Business Journal and local news outlets.

Screenshot of the DeVoe Law Firm Website
1060 Woodcock Rd, Orlando, FL 32803, USA

Michael P. DeVoe brings over 25 years of legal work to family cases in Orange County. He tried cases at the State Attorney's Office and served as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company before opening his own practice.

Paternity and fathers' rights make up a large share of the caseload. He also handles DCF dependency matters, injunctions, and grandparent visitation, which many general practices refer out.

Attorney DeVoe belongs to the Orange County Bar Association's Family Law Section and the Central Florida Family Law Inns of Court. He guest lectures at a local university. Consultations with this Orlando divorce attorney are free.

Screenshot of the Anderson & Ferrin, Attorneys at Law, P.A. Website

Victoria Lyn Anderson and Michael Ferrin are married and practice together. That gives this Orlando divorce law firm an unusual perspective on the cases it takes.

Both attorneys have earned Super Lawyers recognition, and the pair bring decades of combined courtroom work. Beyond divorce, they handle paternity, dependency cases, injunctions for protection, and step-parent adoptions.

The firm also files Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which matters when a split leaves one spouse buried in debt. Both English and Spanish are spoken in the office. Weekend and evening meetings can be arranged by appointment.

Screenshot of the The Law Office of Erin Morse Website
1030 N Orange Ave #102, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

Military and LGBTQ separations get their own practice areas here, alongside contested cases. Business owner divorce is another focus, including how a company and its debts get split under Florida law.

Principal attorney Erin Morse leads a team that also drafts wills and estate plans. That pairing is useful when a marital settlement changes who inherits what.

The downtown office sits near Lake Eola Park, and the firm serves Kissimmee, Clermont, and Winter Garden as well. Attorney Morse hosts a podcast and was named a Rising Star.

Screenshot of the Sean Smallwood, Orlando Divorce Lawyer & Family Law Attorney P.A. Website

Most family lawyers charge non-refundable retainers. Sean Smallwood primarily uses refundable ones, so unused funds go back to the client when the case closes.

He has practiced for over 15 years and devotes 100% of his work to family law. Fathers' rights and parental alienation claims are a particular focus, though he represents mothers on the same terms.

Orlando Style Magazine named him to its Legal Elite list. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers and honored for pro bono service. The practice covers Apopka, Windermere, Lake Nona, Dr. Phillips, and other Orange County communities.

Screenshot of the Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC Website

Attorney Conti Moore opened this boutique practice in 2012. The team now carries more than 50 years of combined family law experience. One of its attorneys is board certified in marital and family law by The Florida Bar.

Flat fee services and payment plans are available. So are do-it-yourself online courses for people handling their own paperwork. The firm takes Spanish-language calls on a separate line and offers free 15-minute case reviews.

Screenshot of the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers - Orlando Website

Paulette Hamilton has practiced family law in Florida for more than 15 years. Her office handles gray divorce, high-net-worth cases, and pet custody disputes, along with standard dissolutions.

Hidden asset investigations are part of the work when one spouse controls the finances. The firm also drafts cohabitation and separation agreements. Calls are answered 24/7, and consultations stay confidential.

Screenshot of the Donna Hung Law Group - Orlando Divorce Lawyer Website

The Day Building office on East Robinson Street operates by appointment only. Attorney Hung takes contested and uncontested files, appeals, and post-judgment modifications across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.

Screenshot of the The Roberts Family Law Firm Website

David T. Roberts earned a finance degree from the University of Florida before law school there. He puts that background to work on cases involving marital assets and business interests.

Admitted to The Florida Bar in 1996, he restricts his practice to family law only. Martindale-Hubbell has recognized him as a Client Champion based on client reviews. The Uptown office is a short drive from the Orange County courthouse.

Screenshot of the Steve W. Marsee, P.A. Attorney at Law - Orlando Divorce Attorney Website

Before law school, Steve W. Marsee worked as an undercover drug investigator and later as a chief of police. He credits that investigative training for how he reads the other side in negotiations.

More than 95% of his cases settle at mediation, and he is a Florida Supreme Court certified family law mediator. Marital estates involving closely held businesses, executive compensation, trusts, and inherited wealth are a core part of the practice. He has tried cases in Florida state courts and the Middle District of Florida.

Screenshot of the Arwani Law Firm - Orlando Divorce Lawyer Website

Managing attorney Rania Arwani survived domestic violence and now speaks publicly about it, including a TEDx talk and a published memoir. That background shapes how the firm handles injunction and abuse cases.

She holds a finance degree and collaborative law training. The team also covers injury claims, criminal defense, and immigration, and speaks English, Spanish, and Arabic. Coverage extends to Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Polk, Volusia, and Lake counties.

Screenshot of the Wilson Law Firm Website
605 Delaney Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801, USA

Joel Wilson is a former felony prosecutor and a military veteran. He and Jessica Leibowitz have handled thousands of cases, and both try matters that cannot be settled.

The Delaney Avenue office handles divorce, paternity, and custody across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. First consultations cost nothing. Someone answers the phone every day of the year, including holidays.

Screenshot of the Veliz Katz Law Website
630 Wymore Rd Suite 330, Maitland, FL 32751, USA

Veliz Katz Law sits in Maitland, in the Orlando metro area, and serves families across Central Florida. The firm has practiced family law, probate, and estate planning since 1994.

Founder David W. Veliz leads the team alongside associate Danielle White. They handle divorce, child custody, and spousal support, with free consultations.

Screenshot of the Mercedes R. Wechsler, P.A. Website
1212 E Ridgewood St, Orlando, FL 32803, USA

Mercedes R. Wechsler has advised Central Florida families for over a decade from her Ridgewood Street office. She reaches for mediation or the collaborative process first, then litigates when talks stall.

Marital property division, post-decree modifications, and parental relocation make up much of the docket. The practice also takes probate and product liability files.

Screenshot of the The Law Office of Natalie D. Hall, P.A. Website

Natalie D. Hall pairs two practice areas that often overlap: family law and immigration. A green card or citizenship case can hinge on a marriage ending, and she handles both sides of that.

She has practiced in Central Florida for over a decade and works as a mediator. Second-parent and stepparent adoptions round out the family work. The office sits in Baldwin Park.

Screenshot of the My Florida Family Attorney Adams, Luka, & Benton Website

More than 160 trials sit behind this Orlando practice, so a case that has to be argued will not catch them off guard. Attorneys here know the individual divorce judges and courtrooms across Central Florida.

Calls are usually returned within a day, and the attorneys take evening and weekend contact. A second office in Tavares covers Lake and Sumter counties. Case evaluations are free.

Screenshot of the N. Diane Holmes, P.A., Family Law Group Website
3101 Maguire Blvd #100, Orlando, FL 32803, USA

Forty years in Central Florida family law puts N. Diane Holmes among the most established names in the market. She is board certified in marital and family law and belongs to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Collaborative practice is the firm's signature, aimed at settling without a courtroom fight. Martindale-Hubbell has rated her AV Preeminent since 2010. Megan W. L. Malec practices alongside her.

Screenshot of the Gwen J. Cryer, Attorney at Law Website
1800 Pembrook Dr, Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32810, USA

Admitted to The Florida Bar in 2003, Gwen J. Cryer is a solo practitioner splitting her time between family law and criminal defense. She takes calls from Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Brevard counties, and can usually schedule an initial meeting within 24 hours.

Screenshot of the Jacobs Family Law Firm Website

Jonathan Jacobs opened this practice in 2017 with an emphasis on keeping costs down. Flat fee divorce and installment payment plans are offered, and most meetings and hearings happen over Zoom.

Offices in Winter Park and Clermont cover Orange, Lake, Seminole, and Osceola counties. They handle uncontested files, military cases, and same-sex matters.

Screenshot of the Kenneth D. Morse PA Website
189 South Orange Avenue suite 1800, Orlando, Florida 32801, USA

Practicing since 1974, Kenneth D. Morse is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and listed in its Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. He has lectured for the National Business Institute, teaching family law to other attorneys.

His network of CPAs, appraisers, and business valuation experts supports cases involving real estate or company assets. A second office serves Lake Mary from Heathrow.

Screenshot of the Jenkinson Legal Website
4767 New Broad St, Orlando, FL 32814, USA

AnnMarie Jenkinson founded this Baldwin Park practice in 2015 after five years focused on family cases. She works one-on-one with every client, taking custody, support, and marital agreement matters. Consultations are free.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Romaine Brown, PA Website
118 East Jefferson Street, Orlando, FL 32801

Romaine Brown works across family, civil, and immigration law from a downtown Orlando office. He serves as a mediator, drafts wills and estate plans, and handles adoptions, name changes, and record sealing. Meetings are by appointment, in person or by video.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you have to live in Florida before filing for divorce in Orlando?

Six months. At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before the petition is filed. File early and the case can be dismissed. Orange County cases are heard in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

How much does a divorce lawyer in Orlando cost?

Usually hourly, with a retainer. Most Orlando family law firms bill by the hour and ask for a retainer up front. Some offer flat fees for uncontested cases or payment plans. Ask whether the retainer is refundable, since firms differ on this.

How long does an Orlando divorce take?

Weeks to well over a year. Florida imposes a 20-day waiting period after filing before a judge can sign a final order. Uncontested cases often finish in a couple of months. Contested cases run longer because of discovery, mediation, and the court's calendar.

Is mediation required in Orange County family cases?

Yes, for contested cases. The Ninth Judicial Circuit refers all contested family law cases to mediation by administrative order. A judge can excuse it, but you have to ask. Most cases settle there rather than at trial.

Can you still get permanent alimony in Florida?

No, not since July 2023. Senate Bill 1416 removed permanent alimony from the statute. Courts can now award temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational support. Durational awards are capped by the length of the marriage.

Do parents have to take a class before the divorce is final?

Yes, if children are involved. Florida Statute 61.21 requires the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. The person who files has 45 days from filing, and the other spouse has 45 days from service. A judge cannot enter the final order until both certificates are on file.

Does Florida split marital property 50/50?

No, it splits it equitably. Florida uses equitable distribution, which means fair rather than automatically equal. Judges weigh the length of the marriage, each spouse's finances, and contributions made. Property owned before the marriage is usually treated separately.

Types of Divorce and Family Law Cases in Orlando

Contested Divorce. Spouses disagree on money, children, or both. These cases move through discovery and a mediation session before a judge sets a trial date.

Uncontested Divorce. Both sides agree on every term and file a joint settlement. Florida still requires a short final hearing before the judge signs off.

High-Asset Divorce. Business interests, executive stock awards, trusts, and rental property need real valuation work. Firms handling these cases bring in forensic accountants and appraisers.

Custody and Time-Sharing. Florida calls custody time-sharing and requires a written parenting plan. Judges weigh which parent supports the child's relationship with the other.

Child Support. Support runs on statewide guidelines using both incomes, health insurance, daycare costs, and overnight counts. Accurate financial disclosure drives the whole number.

Relocation. A parent moving a child more than 50 miles needs written agreement from the other parent or a court order. Filing without one causes problems fast.

Military Divorce. Orlando sits near several installations, and these cases involve pension division and federal service rules. Benefit eligibility for a former spouse follows its own thresholds.

Domestic Violence Injunctions. Injunctions for protection are handled through the same circuit and can reshape a time-sharing schedule. Some firms take these on an emergency basis.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements. A valid agreement can shortcut most of a divorce. When one spouse challenges it, enforceability becomes its own fight.

How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer in Orlando

Ask how many Orange County cases they handle. Judges here run their divisions differently, and division-level procedures are published. A lawyer who appears in front of these judges weekly knows what each one wants documented.

Check their mediation record. Since the circuit sends contested cases to mediation anyway, ask what share of their files settle there. Some Orlando attorneys are certified family mediators themselves.

Match the firm to the money in your case. A business or a portfolio of stock awards needs someone who works with valuation experts. A straightforward split does not.

Get the fee structure in writing. Hourly rate, retainer amount, whether unused funds come back, and who covers filing costs. These vary widely between firms on this list.

Ask who actually handles your file. In smaller practices, you work with the attorney directly. In larger ones, an associate or paralegal may do most of the day-to-day work.

Confirm language and scheduling needs early. Several Orlando firms take Spanish-language cases, and some offer evening or weekend appointments. A few work by appointment only.

What Affects the Outcome of an Orlando Divorce

No two Florida cases settle the same way. Equitable distribution gives judges room to weigh the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, and what each contributed. Alimony now sits under firmer limits. Durational awards are tied to the length of the marriage. They are also capped against the gap between the spouses' net incomes. Hidden or undisclosed assets can swing a result badly, which is why financial affidavits get scrutinized. An Orlando family law attorney can look at your numbers and give you a realistic range.

Best Divorce Law Firms Near Me - Browse By Major Top US Cities: