Discover expert legal guidance tailored to your unique family law needs, ensuring a fair and equitable resolution.
Sarasota Florida Divorce Lawyers
Meet Michael Fayard
Our Family Law Services
Asset Distribution
Expertly navigate the division of marital assets, ensuring a fair and equitable distribution tailored to your specific situation.
Spousal Maintenance
Receive guidance on alimony matters, whether you are seeking support or negotiating terms, with a focus on achieving a balanced outcome.
Child Custody
Protect your parental rights and work towards a custody arrangement that prioritizes the best interests of your children.
Types of Divorce in Florida
Ending a marriage looks different for every family. Some cases are straightforward; others involve disagreements over money, property, or parenting. Whatever your situation, having a knowledgeable Sarasota divorce lawyer in your corner helps keep the process on track and reduces delays—especially if your spouse is uncooperative.
Florida is a no-fault divorce state. That means a court can dissolve a marriage because it’s “irretrievably broken”—one spouse cannot stop the divorce entirely, though they can complicate or slow things down. Our team works to move your case forward efficiently and protect your interests at every step.
Serving Sarasota and surrounding areas. We’ll help you choose the right path and complete your case as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Simplified Divorce (Simplified Dissolution)
If you and your spouse have no minor or dependent children together (and neither spouse is pregnant), and you both agree on property, debt division, and no alimony, you may qualify for a simplified divorce.
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You’ll sign a marital settlement detailing how assets and debts are divided.
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Both spouses waive the right to trial and appeals.
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Courts typically require a brief final hearing; in some situations, the court may finalize the case based on submitted paperwork.
This is often the fastest and least expensive way to end a marriage in Florida when you meet the criteria.
Uncontested Divorce
Don’t qualify for the simplified route? An uncontested divorce is available when you and your spouse agree on every issue—including property division, parenting plans, timesharing, and child support.
We help you:
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Draft a comprehensive Marital Settlement Agreement
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Prepare a Parenting Plan and child support guidelines (when children are involved)
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File all required forms correctly and schedule the final hearing
Uncontested cases are typically resolved quickly and with minimal stress.
Contested Divorce
If you and your spouse disagree on one or more significant issues, you’ll proceed with a contested divorce. “Contested” doesn’t have to mean hostile—it simply means there’s an unresolved issue that needs negotiation, mediation, or a judge’s decision.
Common dispute areas include:
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Division of marital vs. separate property
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Alimony (spousal support)
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Timesharing/parental responsibility and child support
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High-value or complex assets (businesses, retirement, real estate)
Florida follows equitable distribution—a fair (not always equal) division of marital assets and debts. Courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s economic circumstances and contributions, and any dissipation (waste) of assets. After weighing all issues, the judge will decide property division, alimony, timesharing, and child support.
Our goal is to resolve disputes strategically—through settlement when possible and litigation when necessary.
Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative divorce keeps your case out of court. Both spouses and their attorneys sign a participation agreement and work with neutral professionals (such as financial or child specialists) to reach a full settlement.
Benefits include:
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Privacy and reduced conflict
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Flexible, family-focused solutions
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Typically faster than traditional litigation
If collaboration doesn’t produce a final agreement, you can still pursue a court resolution with new counsel.
Military Divorce
When one or both spouses are service members, additional rules and timelines may apply. You may face issues involving deployments, relocation, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), division of military pensions under the USFSPA, TRICARE considerations, and long-distance parenting plans.
Attorney Michael Fayard is a U.S. Army veteran with experience navigating the unique demands military families face. He understands the realities of service, deployments, and restationing—and crafts plans that work in the real world.
Why Work With Michael Fayard, Attorney at Law?
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Florida trial lawyer & former prosecutor with courtroom experience
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Veteran-led perspective for military families
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Clear communication, efficient filings, and proactive case management
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Focused on protecting your rights while minimizing conflict and cost
Talk to a Sarasota Divorce Lawyer Today
Whether your case is simplified, uncontested, collaborative, or contested, we’ll guide you from start to finish with a plan that fits your goals. Call (941) 306-1310 or send a message to schedule a consultation.
Common Questions About Divorce in Florida
Divorce can be a complex and emotional process. Here are some frequently asked questions to help guide you through it.
What is the difference between marital and separate property?
Marital property includes assets acquired during the marriage, while separate property refers to assets owned before marriage or received as gifts or inheritance. Understanding this distinction is crucial for equitable distribution.
How is child custody determined in Florida?
Child custody in Florida is determined based on the best interests of the child. Factors include each parent’s ability to provide a stable environment, the child’s relationship with each parent, and any history of domestic violence.
What types of alimony are available in Florida?
Florida offers several types of alimony, including temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational, and permanent. Each type serves different purposes, and eligibility depends on various factors like the length of the marriage and financial need.
What Our Clients Say
“Michael Fayard being a fellow veteran and a outstanding lawyer. He helped me out when I was in a hard place and did a exemplary job. I absolutely would recommend him to somebody in need. I just recommended him to my parents after my father got into an accident.“ – John Harden
“After an accident, my daughter and I came to see Michael Fayard (Fayard Law) with many questions, and misperceptions about what was customary, fair and frankly what we could expect in litigation with my insurance company. Michael brought not only his experience, but also ‘did his homework’ on the specifics of our situation. He made sure to answer all our questions, explain our options, and applied ZERO pressure. Frankly, he significantly improved my previously negative impression of this area of law. I would consult and engage his firm again, without hesitation , if ever the need arose again. “Two Thumbs Up”“ – Jeffrey Moyer
“Michael Fayard was absolutely Amazing as my counsel!!! I can’t speak enough on the high regard I hold him. He got the outcome that I was hoping but had a medical issue and fought through it and still represented me!! I don’t know what you ask more from a person. He took me on as a client and saw it through to the end. If anyone were to ask me about hiring Michael Fayard as your lawyer the answer would be YES without hesitation!!” – Blake Pavey.
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