Same-Sex Divorce in Leesburg
20 Years of Family Law Experience, Focused on Your Case
Same-sex divorce in Florida follows the same legal framework as any dissolution of marriage, but the details often aren’t simple. When a couple’s relationship predates Florida’s recognition of same-sex marriage in January 2015, questions about property, finances, and parental rights can become genuinely complicated. At Law Office of Jody L. Fisher, we work through those complications with clients throughout Leesburg and West Lake County, building a strategy around the specific facts of each case.
Attorney Jody Fisher has over 20 years of legal experience and leads our family law practice. We focus on a limited set of practice areas so clients receive thorough, individualized attention rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
If you’re navigating a same-sex divorce in the Leesburg, Florida area, we’re ready to help. Call us at (352) 503-4111 to discuss your situation.
Why Clients Trust Law Office of Jody L. Fisher with Their Divorce
Attorney Fisher’s background as a former prosecutor shapes how we approach contested family law matters. That experience means we anticipate the arguments the other side is likely to raise and prepare accordingly. It’s a practical advantage in cases where asset valuation, alimony eligibility, or custody arrangements are disputed.
Clients aren’t passed between staff members; they work directly with our team throughout their case. That consistency matters when the issues are personal and the stakes are high. Our reputation among peers and former clients in West Lake County reflects that commitment to careful, personalized representation.
How Florida Divorce Law Applies to Same-Sex Couples
Florida is a no-fault divorce state under Florida Statute 61.052. The most common ground for dissolution of marriage is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, and no showing of wrongdoing is required. At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing a petition for dissolution of marriage. Family court matters for Lake County are handled at the Lake County Judicial Center in Tavares.
Florida began recognizing same-sex marriage statewide on January 6, 2015, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015 established nationwide recognition. For couples whose relationship began years before those dates, the legal marriage start date can affect how courts calculate alimony eligibility and classify marital property. We help clients understand which grounds apply to their situation and can help file the case accurately from the start.
Asset Division & Alimony When the Timeline Is Complicated
Florida divides marital assets and debts under an equitable distribution standard, governed by Florida Statute 61.075. Equitable means fair, not necessarily equal. Courts weigh factors like each spouse’s financial contribution, the length of the marriage, and each party’s economic circumstances going forward.
For same-sex couples, the legal-marriage timeline adds another layer. Courts generally measure the marriage from the date of legal recognition, not from when a couple first began living together or formalized their relationship in another way. Florida also doesn’t recognize common-law marriage, which affects how property and finances accumulated before the legal marriage date are treated. If you built a life together for years before 2015, how the assets from that period are handled depends heavily on how they were titled, held, and documented. We work to align our strategy with each client’s specific financial picture rather than applying a generic formula.
Parental Rights & Child Custody in Same-Sex Divorces
Florida’s custody and timesharing decisions are based on the best interests of the child, and that standard applies regardless of the parents’ sexual orientation. What can differ in same-sex families is how legal parentage was established in the first place.
When only one partner is the legal or adoptive parent of a child, the other partner may not automatically have parental rights in a divorce proceeding. This situation comes up most often in families where children were born through donor conception or adopted before the marriage was legally recognized. The steps needed to establish or protect parental rights depend on each family’s history, and we tailor our approach accordingly to protect our clients’ relationships with their children throughout the process.
Start Your Same-Sex Divorce with Confident Representation
You don’t have to figure out where your situation fits within Florida’s divorce laws on your own. Whether your divorce is straightforward or involves contested property and custody questions, Law Office of Jody L. Fisher offers the focused attention and strategic approach these cases require. We also offer flat-fee options for uncontested or agreed divorces, so cost doesn’t have to be the reason you delay getting help.
Contact our Leesburg, Florida office to schedule a consultation. Call (352) 503-4111 and let us help you move forward.