Are you looking for a dissolution of marriage lawyer?
Steady guidance through dissolution, grounded in years of family law practice.
If you are preparing to end a marriage, you may encounter the term dissolution of marriage used alongside the word divorce. The two describe the same legal event: formally ending a marriage and dividing the property, debt, and responsibilities accumulated during it. A knowledgeable dissolution of marriage lawyer can explain each step and help you avoid costly missteps. The McKinney Law Group Family & Divorce Lawyers represents clients from the initial filing through the final judgment. Schedule a consultation before you agree to any terms.
Dissolution of Marriage Lawyer
Dissolution of marriage is the formal end of a marriage. It is the same legal event most people call divorce, with the same core work: dividing property and debt, deciding support, and setting terms for any children. The name on the courthouse door does not change what has to be sorted out, or how much it matters to get it right. For most families, the label is far less important than the practical questions underneath it. Those questions, about money, the home, and the children, are the ones that shape life afterward.
A dissolution attorney guides that work from start to finish. We organize the financial picture, negotiate fair terms, and keep the case moving when it stalls. Some dissolutions are settled cooperatively in a matter of weeks. Others require months of effort and a hearing before a judge. Whichever way yours goes, our job is to land a final judgment you can actually live with, not just one that closes the file. Cases stall for all kinds of reasons, from a missing document to an uncooperative spouse, and part of our job is to push past those snags. Our Tampa child support law firm also keeps you informed at each step, so you are never guessing about where things stand.
Types of Dissolution Cases We Handle
People reach dissolution from very different places. Some have already agreed on everything and just need it done correctly. Others are starting from open conflict over money and children. We handle the full spread, and we shape the approach around your facts rather than a template. Knowing which kind of case you have, early on, saves both time and money.
- Uncontested dissolution. When both spouses agree on the terms, the case can move quickly and cost far less. We make sure the agreement is sound, complete, and enforceable before anyone signs. A clean agreement now prevents a return trip to court later.
- Contested dissolution. When the disagreements are real, the case needs preparation and resolve. We treat each disputed issue as if a judge will decide it, which often produces a fairer settlement.
- High-asset dissolution. Businesses, investments, and layered property require careful valuation. We trace what belongs to the marriage and protect what does not. That tracing work is usually where these cases are won or lost.
- Dissolution with children. When kids are involved, parenting and child custody take center stage. We build terms that serve the child and protect your relationship. A clear parenting plan now prevents conflict down the line.
- Property and debt division. Splitting marital assets and debt fairly is often the heart of the case. We work to make the division clean and final. We look closely at retirement accounts and debts that are easy to overlook.
- Support matters. Where one spouse earns far more, spousal support may be part of the outcome. We address the financial reality on both sides so the result holds up.
- Long-term marriages. Ending a marriage of many years brings its own questions about retirement, property, and support. We give a long-term marriage the extra attention it needs.
Why Choose The McKinney Law Group Family & Divorce Lawyers as my Dissolution of Marriage Lawyer?
A Settlement-Minded Practice That Is Ready for Trial
Our approach favors resolution where it serves you and a fight where it is needed. Damien McKinney founded the firm, has practiced family law since 2006, and serves as a state-certified family law mediator, which shapes how he steers negotiations toward agreement. He earned his law degree from Stetson University and has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers every year since 2012, with a 2016 Distinction of Excellence reserved for the top five percent of attorneys in the state.
Stephanie Koether works alongside him on dissolution matters. She earned her law degree with honors from the University of Miami, completed her undergraduate studies at Fordham University, and belongs to the Family Law Section.
Because dissolution touches property, support, and parenting together, our wider family law practice keeps every thread connected. We have settled cases at the table and won them at trial, and we prepare each one with the same care. What we measure is whether you can close this chapter and move on, not how hard we fought to get there.
Areas We Serve
Serving Florida
Clearwater, FL
- Family
- Divorce
- dissolution of marriage
- child custody
- child support
- post judgment modification and enforcement
- postnuptial agreement
- prenuptial agreement
Miami, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Tallahassee, FL
Tampa, FL
- Divorce
- Family
- dissolution of marriage
- Alimony
- spousal support
- annulment
- adoption
- parental rights
- custody and time sharing
- child support
- child protective services defense
- dcf false allegation
- pre and post nuptial agreement
Trinity, FL
Serving North Carolina
Ashville, NC
Black Mountain, NC
Fletcher, NC
Hendersonville, NC
Raleigh, NC
Understanding Dissolution Cases
How Dissolution Works and What Is Decided
Dissolution settles a defined set of questions, and seeing them laid out makes the road ahead clearer. Each one carries real weight, so it pays to understand them before you start to negotiate. Most cases come down to the same issues.
- Ending the marriage. Most dissolutions are no-fault, so neither spouse must prove the other did something wrong. The court’s attention goes to dividing the present, not judging the past.
- Dividing property and debt. What the couple built and borrowed together is split, while genuine separate property usually stays put. Sorting marital from separate is where much of the work happens.
- Support. When incomes differ sharply, ongoing or short-term support may be ordered. The marriage’s length and each spouse’s earning power both matter here.
- Children. Parenting time and support are decided around the child’s best interest. Stability and each parent’s involvement carry real weight.
- The final judgment. Every piece is gathered into one order that governs life afterward. After it is entered, changing it means returning to court.
What Are Important Aspects of a Dissolution Case?
A handful of factors tend to decide how smoothly a dissolution goes. Most reward honesty and preparation, and none of them require legal training to grasp.
- Complete disclosure. Full financial information from both sides keeps the process fair and final. Gaps in disclosure are where later challenges begin.
- Realistic goals. Knowing what truly matters to you helps focus the negotiation. It also keeps a case from dragging over points that do not matter much.
- Good records. Documentation of property, debt, and parenting outweighs argument every time. Paper settles disputes that words alone cannot.
- Patience. A clean result is usually worth more than a fast one. Rushing to be done often means signing terms you regret.
What Is The Dissolution Case Timeline?
Every case sets its own pace, but the sequence is familiar. Knowing the order of events helps you plan with confidence, and it shows you where careful preparation makes the biggest difference.
- Filing and service. One spouse files, and the other is served and responds.
- Temporary orders. A court can set interim terms for support, the home, and children.
- Financial exchange. Both sides disclose assets, debts, and income.
- Negotiation or mediation. Many cases settle here, often after reviewing the questions that shape negotiations.
- Trial and judgment. If issues remain, a judge decides, and the final order ends the marriage.
What Should You Bring to Your Dissolution Consultation?
A productive first meeting starts with a little preparation. You do not need a complete file, but a few items help us assess your case quickly.
- A summary of assets and debts, including accounts, property, and loans.
- Recent tax returns and pay records for both spouses where possible.
- Notes on your priorities, especially regarding children, the home, and support.
- Any marital agreement that might affect how property is divided.
Expect a candid discussion of what is realistic. We will tell you where your position is strong, where it is exposed, and what a sensible resolution could look like, rather than promising an outcome we cannot control. Even a partial set of these documents lets us give you concrete guidance instead of guesses.
What Are Important Legal Resources for Dissolution Cases?
Dissolution overlaps with taxes, benefits, and family support, so it helps to know where reliable information lives. These public resources can help you prepare before any decisions become final, and they explain the basics in plain language.
- The Internal Revenue Service explains tax considerations for separating and divorcing spouses.
- The IRS also addresses how support and awards are treated for tax purposes.
- The Social Security Administration outlines family benefit rules for spouses and children.
- The federal child support office explains how support works when children are involved.
Reach Out to The McKinney Law Group Family & Divorce Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation
The end of a marriage deserves careful handling, not a rushed form and crossed fingers. A capable dissolution of marriage lawyer can help you protect your interests and reach a fair, lasting result. The McKinney Law Group Family & Divorce Lawyers is ready to review your situation, explain your choices, and guide you through each step. Contact us to schedule a consultation and move forward with a clear plan.