Three Decades of Trusted, Personal Representation From an AV-Rated Tampa Divorce Attorney
Choosing the right lawyer during a divorce is one of the most consequential decisions you will make, because the outcome will shape your finances, your time with your children, and your peace of mind for years to come. At The Law Office of Laura A. Olson, P.A., you work directly with an experienced Tampa divorce lawyer who treats your case as the priority it is, not as a file passed from associate to associate. We deliberately keep our practice focused so that every client receives the one-on-one attention, responsiveness, and strategic care that family law demands. When you call our office, you reach a real advocate who knows your case and is ready to fight for you.
Tampa divorce attorney Laura A. Olson is a South Tampa native with more than thirty years of experience guiding Floridians through the full spectrum of family law and divorce matters. Laura holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review distinction a lawyer can earn, awarded only to attorneys whom their colleagues and the judiciary recognize as the best in both legal ability and ethical standards. That rating is not advertising; it is the considered judgment of other lawyers who have seen her work. When the stakes are this high, you deserve a Tampa divorce lawyer with the experience, the reputation, and the dedication to secure the result you need.
A Full-Service Tampa Family Law Practice
Our firm handles a comprehensive range of divorce and family law issues, and we tailor our representation to the specific circumstances of your life. When we represent you in a dissolution of marriage, we make certain every issue that matters to your future is addressed with skill and foresight, from child custody and timesharing to child support, alimony, and the equitable division of assets and debts. We are equally at home negotiating a thorough marital settlement agreement and litigating aggressively in the courtroom when negotiation fails.
Laura A. Olson represents clients across the entire divorce landscape, including contested and uncontested divorce, collaborative divorce, high-asset and high-net-worth divorce, military divorce, and same-sex and LGBTQ divorce. We also stand beside clients long after the final judgment is entered, handling modifications of support and timesharing, parent and child relocation, paternity and the disestablishment of paternity, and the enforcement of court orders through contempt proceedings. Our broader family law work extends to adoption, stepparent and grandparent adoption, guardianship, temporary custody by extended family members, name changes, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, domestic violence injunctions, and divorce appeals. Whatever your family is facing, there is a strong likelihood we have guided someone through it before.
Understanding Divorce and Family Law in Florida
Florida family law is built on statutes designed to resolve the most personal disputes fairly while protecting children and preserving financial stability. Florida is a pure no-fault divorce state, which means neither spouse must prove adultery, cruelty, or any other misconduct to end the marriage. The court only requires a sworn statement that the marriage is irretrievably broken, paired with the requirement that at least one spouse has resided in Florida for a minimum of six months before filing. While fault is not needed to obtain the divorce itself, conduct during the marriage can still become relevant to issues such as alimony, the division of property, and parenting decisions.
Because every Tampa-area divorce is filed in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit serving Hillsborough County, knowing how local judges and procedures actually operate is a meaningful advantage. An attorney who appears in these courtrooms regularly understands not only what the statute requires but how it is interpreted and applied right here in Tampa, and that practical knowledge often makes the difference between a routine outcome and an excellent one.
The Florida Divorce Process Explained
No two divorces are identical, yet most follow a recognizable path through the court system. Understanding that path in advance removes much of the anxiety that comes from facing the unknown.
The process begins with the filing stage. Either spouse may start the case by filing a petition for dissolution of marriage in the circuit court of the county where the couple last lived together or where one spouse now resides. The filing spouse must establish Florida residency, the existence of a valid marriage, and that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Once the petition is served, the receiving spouse has twenty days to file an answer and, if desired, a counter-petition raising additional claims.
Next comes the financial disclosure stage. Florida requires both spouses to exchange sworn financial affidavits along with supporting documentation, generally within forty-five days of service. These disclosures form the factual backbone of decisions about alimony, support, and property division, and a spouse who hides assets or refuses to disclose risks serious consequences, including dismissal of claims or sanctions. When children are involved, the parties also prepare a child support guidelines worksheet.
Finally, the case reaches the resolution stage, by agreement or by trial. If the spouses can agree on the terms of their divorce, they memorialize those terms in a written settlement agreement, which the judge reviews and incorporates into the final judgment. When agreement is not possible, the court typically orders mediation, and if that fails, the contested issues proceed to a hearing or trial where each side presents evidence, examines witnesses, and argues the law before the judge issues a binding ruling.
Child Custody, Timesharing, and Support
Florida law no longer speaks of custody in the traditional sense. Instead, courts establish parental responsibility and a timesharing schedule, always guided by the best interests of the child. Judges strongly favor shared parental responsibility, in which both parents participate in major decisions about education, healthcare, and general welfare, unless evidence shows that shared decision-making would harm the child. Every case involving minor children requires a detailed parenting plan that defines the timesharing schedule and how the parents will communicate and cooperate.
When parents cannot agree, the court evaluates factors such as each parent’s ability to provide a stable and nurturing environment, the existing bond between parent and child, the geographic practicality of the proposed schedule, and each parent’s willingness to encourage a healthy relationship with the other parent. Child support is then calculated under Florida’s statutory guidelines, which account for both parents’ net incomes, the number of overnight stays with each parent, health insurance premiums, and childcare costs. Because incomes and circumstances change, support and timesharing orders can be modified later when a substantial, material change occurs.
Alimony Under Florida’s Current Law
Alimony in Florida changed dramatically in 2023, and many people, and even some attorneys, still operate under outdated assumptions. Florida eliminated permanent alimony entirely. Courts may still award several other forms of spousal support, including temporary alimony while the case is pending, bridge-the-gap alimony to help a spouse transition to single life, rehabilitative alimony to fund education or job training, and durational alimony for a defined period that is now capped according to the length of the marriage. Whether you anticipate paying or receiving support, working with a Tampa divorce attorney who applies the current law rather than the old framework is essential to protecting your financial future.
Dividing Property, Debt, and Retirement Assets
Florida follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means marital property and debts are divided fairly but not necessarily in equal halves. Marital assets generally include property and income acquired during the marriage, while non-marital property such as premarital holdings, gifts, and inheritances usually remains with the original owner. Courts weigh each spouse’s economic circumstances, contributions to the marriage including homemaking and child-rearing, and the value of preserving the marital home for a parent with primary timesharing. We are experienced in valuing closely held businesses, dividing retirement accounts and pensions through qualified domestic relations orders, and uncovering concealed assets so that your settlement reflects the true and complete marital estate.
Comprehensive Help Beyond the Divorce Itself
Family law reaches well past the moment a divorce is finalized, and so does our representation. We assist clients with the enforcement of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements as well as challenges to their validity, with paternity and disestablishment actions that determine legal parentage, and with the difficult and urgent matters that arise from allegations of domestic violence, including injunctions and the defense against unfounded petitions. These proceedings carry serious and lasting consequences, and we bring the same thorough preparation and personal commitment to each of them that we bring to every Tampa divorce we handle.
Why Experience and Reputation Matter
Thirty years of focused practice produces something a newer lawyer simply cannot offer: pattern recognition. Laura A. Olson has seen how Tampa judges tend to rule, how opposing counsel tends to negotiate, and where cases tend to break down, and she uses that hard-won insight to position each client advantageously. Her AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell reflects decades of respect earned from the very peers and judges she works alongside, and her roots as a South Tampa native give her a genuine connection to the community she serves. When you hire our firm, you gain not only a skilled litigator but a trusted counselor who will tell you the truth, protect your interests, and stand with you through every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tampa Divorce and Family Law
How long does a divorce take in Tampa, Florida?
An uncontested divorce in Tampa can sometimes be completed in a matter of weeks once all paperwork is filed and agreed upon, while a contested divorce involving disputes over assets, support, or children commonly takes several months to a year or longer, depending on the complexity of the issues and the court’s calendar.
Do I have to prove my spouse did something wrong to get divorced in Florida?
No. Florida is a no-fault state, so you only need to state under oath that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not have to prove adultery, abandonment, or any other misconduct, although such conduct can still be relevant to alimony, property division, or parenting issues.
What is the residency requirement to file for divorce in Tampa?
At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for a minimum of six months before filing the petition for dissolution of marriage. The case is generally filed in the county where the couple last lived together or where one spouse currently resides.
How is property divided in a Florida divorce?
Florida uses equitable distribution, meaning marital assets and debts are divided fairly but not always fifty-fifty. Non-marital property, such as assets owned before the marriage, gifts, and inheritances, usually stays with the original owner.
Is permanent alimony still available in Florida?
No. Florida eliminated permanent alimony in 2023. Courts may still award temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony, with durational awards now limited based on the length of the marriage.
How does Florida decide child custody and timesharing?
Florida courts focus on the best interests of the child and award parental responsibility and a timesharing schedule rather than traditional custody. Judges generally favor shared parental responsibility unless that arrangement would be harmful to the child.
How is child support calculated in Florida?
Child support is determined by statutory guidelines that consider both parents’ net incomes, the number of overnight stays with each parent, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses, all aimed at ensuring the child’s financial needs are met.
Can I avoid going to trial for my divorce?
Often, yes. Many Tampa divorces are resolved through a negotiated settlement agreement or through court-ordered mediation, which keeps you out of a contested trial and gives you greater control over the outcome. A trial is necessary only when the parties cannot reach agreement.
What does an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell mean?
An AV Preeminent rating is the highest rating Martindale-Hubbell awards. It is based on confidential peer reviews from other attorneys and members of the judiciary and signifies the top tier of professional excellence in both legal ability and ethical standards.
How much does a Tampa divorce attorney cost?
Costs depend on whether your case is contested, the complexity of your assets, and the issues in dispute. Our office offers flexible fee arrangements, including hourly and flat rates and, in appropriate cases, contingency fees, and we discuss fees clearly during your consultation.
Contact an Experienced Tampa Divorce Attorney Today
Our office is conveniently located in downtown Tampa, just minutes from the Hillsborough County courthouse, and we keep flexible hours throughout the week with evening and weekend appointments available. We understand that divorce and family law matters rarely arise at convenient times, and we make ourselves accessible when you need us most. We offer a 30-minute initial telephone consultation and a range of fee structures designed to fit your circumstances.
If you are facing divorce or any family law challenge in the Tampa Bay area, put more than three decades of trusted, AV-rated experience to work for you. Call The Law Office of Laura A. Olson, P.A., at 813-222-0888 today, and let’s talk about how our Tampa divorce lawyer can protect your rights and help you move forward with confidence.
