Stuart Divorce Attorney
Clear advice about your family, your finances, and what happens next.
You may be ready for divorce, still unsure, or holding papers you never expected to receive. Questions about the house, bills, and time with your children can make it hard to know what to do first.
Katz & Associates helps people in Stuart and Martin County work through divorce. We explain your options, help negotiate fair terms, and represent you in court when disputes cannot be resolved.
Divorce Papers
Understand your next move
Parenting Plans
Keep daily life in focus
Support Questions
Plan for household needs
Property Concerns
Know what is at stake
1
Thinking about divorce?
You can get advice before deciding to file. We help you think through finances, living arrangements, and parenting concerns so you understand what a separation could involve.
Before moving out, changing accounts, or making major decisions about the children, ask how those choices could affect your case.
2
Already served with papers?
In Florida, you usually have 20 days after service to file an answer. Bring the complete papers and tell us when and how you received them so we can check what applies.
Conversations with your spouse about settling do not replace a required court response.
3
Being asked to sign?
An agreement should work in daily life. Who pays the mortgage? How are school pickups handled? What happens to retirement savings?
We review proposed terms, explain what they mean for you, and help negotiate changes before you commit.
Start with the issue worrying you most.
You do not need every answer before calling. Tell us what has happened and what needs attention first.
Help with the decisions that shape life after divorce
A workable divorce agreement needs more than a signature. We help you understand the financial picture, set out clear responsibilities, and address disagreements that could leave you with problems later.
Divorce & Dissolution of Marriage
If you and your spouse agree, we help put complete terms in writing and take the case through the required steps. If you disagree, we work to get the facts, seek records, and negotiate. We also prepare disputed issues for court when needed.
Parenting Plans & Time-Sharing
A parenting plan needs to cover school days, holidays, transportation, and important decisions. Florida generally presumes equal time-sharing is best for a child. That presumption can be challenged based on the child’s best interests. We help address your child’s needs, safety concerns, and a schedule that works in practice.
Child Support
We help check the income and expenses used to calculate child support. That includes health insurance, child care costs, and how many nights your child spends with each parent. Even with equal time-sharing, one parent may owe support.
Property & Debt Division
The house, retirement accounts, credit cards, and a business may all need attention. We help identify marital and separate property, examine values and debts, and compare settlement options. An asset being in one spouse’s name does not, by itself, settle who is entitled to it.
Alimony Concerns
If one income supported the household, separation can raise immediate budget questions. Whether you may need support or be asked to pay it, we assess financial need, ability to pay, and the factors Florida law requires. Alimony is not automatic.
Settlement Agreement Review
Vague terms can lead to new disputes. We check who pays what, when money or property must change hands, and what each person must do. You should know what the terms mean and how they will work before you sign.
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Even when divorce feels like the right decision, the next steps can feel overwhelming.
You can want a fair outcome and still worry about the conversation, the cost, or your children’s reaction. We can help you separate what needs attention now from what can be worked through over time.
What to bring to the first conversation
Start with any court papers, upcoming deadlines, and your biggest concerns. If you have them, these records can help us understand the situation:
Court papers and the date you received them
Recent pay statements and tax returns
Bank and retirement account statements
Mortgage, loan, and credit card balances
Your children’s school and care schedules
A prenup or proposed settlement agreement
Use records you can lawfully access. If your spouse manages the finances or documents are missing, tell us. You do not need a complete file before asking for help.
Concerned about safety or privacy? Tell our team how we can contact you safely.
Make sure the agreement works beyond the divorce.
A settlement can affect documents and obligations outside the court case. We can help identify related work and when it should happen.
Your home
A business you own
Your plans for the future
Questions you may be asking right now
These concerns are common. The answers in your case depend on your finances, your family, and what has already happened.
Can we divorce without a courtroom fight?
If you agree on every required issue, an uncontested divorce can avoid a trial over disputed terms. Mediation may help resolve disagreements. You still need complete paperwork and court approval. An attorney can review whether the agreement covers your needs before you sign.
What will my divorce cost?
Costs depend on what needs to be resolved and how much work the case takes. Before hiring us, ask about fees, any upfront retainer, how billing works, and other case costs. Having your records ready and knowing your priorities can help focus the work.
What if my spouse controls the money?
Tell us what income and accounts you can access. We can review whether to request temporary support or a contribution toward legal fees. These requests are not automatic, and the court considers the relevant financial circumstances. Bring what you have and identify what is missing.
Can I keep the house?
Keeping the house may be an option, but it needs to work within the overall settlement or court order. We look at its value, what is owed, and each spouse’s interest. We also discuss the mortgage and whether you can afford to stay.
What if my spouse refuses to cooperate?
Refusing to sign a settlement does not mean the case cannot proceed. Proper service and court procedures still matter. Depending on the problem, we can seek required records or ask the court to address unresolved issues. Tell us about missing information, missed deadlines, or pressure to agree.
How long will the divorce take?
A case with agreed terms often needs less work. Disputes about children, missing records, or the value of assets can add time. The court’s calendar also matters. After we review the facts, we can explain the stages ahead and what may speed up or delay your case.
Talk through what matters most to you.
Start with what has happened, any deadline you are facing, and the questions you need answered. We can discuss your options and explain how our firm may be able to help.
Whether you are preparing to file, responding to papers, or trying to reach an agreement, you deserve to understand the decisions in front of you.
Prefer to write? Give us a brief overview using the form.
Tell us how we can help.
Please keep sensitive details out of this first message. Sending a message does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Divorce help in Stuart and Martin County
Stuart office: 770 SE Indian Street, Suite A-16
Stuart, FL 34997
Speak with our team about divorce and related parenting, support, or property concerns in Stuart and nearby Treasure Coast communities.
Stuart
Palm City
Hobe Sound
Jensen Beach
Port St. Lucie