Jacksonville Divorce Lawyer
Matt Hunt is a Board Certified Marital & Family Law attorney at Phillips, Hunt & Walker — one of the rarest credentials in Florida family law. The Florida Bar independently tested and verified his expertise. He holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest recognition for legal ability and ethical standards, and is consistently named a Florida Super Lawyer by his peers. Among the youngest attorneys in Florida to achieve Board Certification in his specialty.
Divorce is one of the most consequential legal decisions you will ever make. In Florida, it touches property you’ve built over a lifetime, your relationship with your children, your financial security for years to come, and your ability to rebuild afterward. Getting this right matters. The attorney you hire matters.
At Phillips, Hunt & Walker, we handle divorce for people who need it done right — whether that means an efficient, dignified resolution or a litigated trial when the other side won’t be reasonable. We don’t push cases toward settlement when trial is in your interest, and we don’t push toward trial when settlement gets you to the same place faster and at lower cost. We follow the evidence and fight for the outcome you deserve.
Free consultation. No copy costs charged to clients. Call (904) 444-4444.
Florida Divorce: What You Need to Know
Florida is a no-fault divorce state. Under Fla. Stat. § 61.052, the only ground for dissolution of marriage in Florida is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” — there is no requirement to prove fault, infidelity, abandonment, or cruelty. Either spouse can file for divorce without the other’s consent.
Residency Requirement: At least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for six months before filing. Fla. Stat. § 61.021.
The Two Types of Florida Divorce
Uncontested Divorce: If you and your spouse agree on all terms — property division, timesharing, child support, alimony — Florida offers a relatively efficient process. Simplified dissolution of marriage under Fla. Stat. § 61.103 applies when there are no minor children, no property disputes, and no alimony.
Contested Divorce: When spouses disagree on any major issue, the case is contested. Contested divorces require discovery, depositions, expert witnesses, and potentially trial. A Board Certified attorney who knows how to try cases is the difference between a fair resolution and one the other side imposed.
Equitable Distribution: Dividing Florida Marital Property
Florida divides marital property under equitable distribution — Fla. Stat. § 61.075. Courts begin with a presumption of equal distribution but can deviate based on each spouse’s contribution, duration of marriage, economic circumstances, career sacrifices, intentional dissipation of marital assets, and any other relevant factor.
Marital property includes assets acquired during the marriage regardless of whose name is on the title: the family home, retirement accounts, business interests, investment accounts, and vehicles. Non-marital property — assets owned before marriage or received as inheritance or gift — is generally protected, but commingling can convert separate property to marital property.
Parenting Plans and Timesharing
Florida does not use the term “custody.” Under Fla. Stat. § 61.13, all parents must have a parenting plan that addresses timesharing schedules, decision-making responsibility, and how parents will communicate about the children.
The 2023 amendments to Florida family law (HB 1409) created a rebuttable presumption of equal timesharing (50/50) as the starting point. However, the court’s ultimate determination is governed by the best interests of the child, evaluated under twenty statutory factors including the mental and physical health of each parent, each parent’s capacity to facilitate the other’s relationship with the children, the length of time the child has lived in a stable environment, and evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, or abandonment.
Alimony: The 2023 Florida Reforms
Florida’s alimony law was substantially revised by HB 1409 (signed June 30, 2023, effective July 1, 2023). Permanent alimony is eliminated for cases filed after July 1, 2023. Forms now available: bridge-the-gap (up to 2 years), rehabilitative (defined plan required), and durational (capped at 50% of marriage length for short-term, 60% for moderate-term, 75% for long-term marriages).
Why Board Certification Matters in Your Divorce
To become Board Certified in Marital & Family Law, an attorney must practice law for at least five years with a substantial portion in family law, pass a rigorous written examination, demonstrate extensive trial and hearing experience, receive peer reviews from judges and other attorneys, and complete ongoing continuing legal education requirements. Fewer than 5% of Florida attorneys hold any Board Certification. In Marital & Family Law, the number is even smaller.
Why Phillips, Hunt & Walker
Matt Hunt — Board Certified in Marital & Family Law. AV-Preeminent (Martindale-Hubbell). Florida Super Lawyers (peer-selected). Among the youngest attorneys in Florida to achieve Board Certification in his specialty.
John M. Phillips — Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. Forbes Top 200 Lawyer in America (2025) and Top 20 in Florida. Florida Trend Legal Elite (top 1% of Florida attorneys). $495,123,680 verdict — largest in Jacksonville history.
No copy costs. No interest on litigation expenses. Competing firms charge LIBOR + 8% interest on accumulated costs. We don’t. Zero. Period.
660 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204. Serving clients throughout Northeast Florida.
Florida Divorce FAQs
Q: How long does a divorce take in Florida?
A: Uncontested divorces can finalize in 30–90 days. Contested divorces with property, children, or alimony disputes typically take 6–18 months; complex cases can take 2–3+ years.
Q: Can I get divorced if my spouse won’t sign?
A: Yes. If your spouse fails to respond, a default divorce can be entered. If they participate but disagree, the case proceeds to trial.
Q: How is our home divided?
A: The marital home is subject to equitable distribution. Options include sale and split of proceeds, one spouse buying out the other’s interest, or one spouse retaining the home for a set period.
Q: What happens to my retirement accounts?
A: Retirement accounts accumulated during the marriage are marital property. Division requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). Improperly handled QDROs can trigger taxes and penalties.
Q: What if my spouse hides assets?
A: Florida requires mandatory financial disclosure. We use discovery — subpoenas, depositions, forensic accountants — to find concealed assets. Courts can award a larger share to the innocent spouse.
Contact Phillips, Hunt & Walker
Divorce is serious. Who represents you determines what you walk away with.
Free consultation. No copy costs. No interest on litigation expenses.
Call (904) 444-4444 today.
Phillips, Hunt & Walker
660 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 444-4444 | floridajustice.com
Board Certified Marital & Family Law Attorney. Serving Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.