A Florida Divorce Lawyer Protecting Your Rights


Frequently Asked Questions

The law firm of Denise Rappaport Isaacs, P.A. has been helping families resolve marital and financial problems for three decades. Men and women call on her to help them either keep their families together or settle their disputes and move on with their lives. These are some of the most frequent questions she is asked:

  • Do I need an attorney to file for divorce?
  • How much does an attorney cost?
  • What is the difference between legal and physical custody?
  • Divorce 101 – What to Avoid During Your Divorce

Call family law attorney Denise Rappaport Isaacs with your family law questions If you have other questions concerning your family or marital problems in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County or Broward County, contact Denise Rappaport Isaacs, P.A. and schedule your initial confidential interview.


Do I need an attorney to file for divorce?

The law does not require you to have an attorney to file an action in court to commence a divorce case. Some non-attorneys will sell you forms that you can fill out yourself and file with the court. However, if you have significant assets, or issues with minor children, drafting a final divorce judgment that resolves all of the potential issues can be complicated. Also, if your spouse contests any of the issues and a trial is necessary it is a good idea to get an attorney who can gather the necessary evidence and present it properly in court.

Do Men Ever Receive Alimony?

Why Men Rarely Receive Alimony in a Divorce

In the 40 years of Attorney Isaacs’ experience in practicing law, she has had only 3 men receive alimony. However, Attorney Isaacs ensures you will receive the best settlement you can get. Attorney Isaacs cannot guarantee that you will walk away happy because you are getting just a portion of the whole. Divorce is sad. It feels like a loss in so very many ways.

Contact Attorney Isaacs today for a strategic planning session.

How much does an attorney cost?

Attorneys may charge by the hour unless yours is an uncontested divorce. Attorneys may charge flat fees for uncontested divorces. In divorce cases, the court may order one side to pay the other party’s attorney fees, or some portion of them, based on their ability to pay. In any case, the attorney may be able to give you an estimate of the time or total cost. Obviously, the more complicated and hotly contested a case is, the more it will cost.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

There are multiple misconceptions about the costs of divorce. As of 2019, the initial fee to file a divorce in court is $428. After this fee, it’s up to the ex-spouses to decide whether a divorce will drag out or they will agree and save attorney fees. The cost depends on the level of cooperation between both parties. The longer the divorce goes on, the more expensive a divorce will be. Attorney Denise Isaacs can help you create a strategic plan to avoid a long-term divorce case. You will work with her in a partnership where the ultimate decision on how to proceed and what to pursue and pay for is decided by you. The cost also vastly increases when the other spouse is unreasonable. However, Attorney Isaacs can use her skill and experience to avoid much litigation and bring the case to a quicker settlement.

How Long Does a Divorce Take?

Divorce does NOT always have to take years and cause financial ruin. If both spouses can be educated to focus on the issues and negotiate a settlement, the divorce will not take as long as when litigated through trial. Collaborative divorce, cooperation, focus, and meditation are just some tools Attorney Isaacs has to assist you. You have multiple choices to make during this process to control the process and the attorney fees.

Attorney Isaacs has decades of experience and insight to shorten the divorce, get you to mediation, and argue many issues.

If you’re trying to decrease the time and costs of your divorce contact Attorney Denise Isaacs in Boca Raton at Isaacs Family Law Group today.

How important is strategic planning session?

How important is strategic planning session?

A strategic planning session with your divorce attorney is the most important meeting before you start the divorce process or when contemplating a divorce. The strategy session is the opportunity for you to organize yourself, get educated as to your rights and prevent yourself from making mistakes. An attorney can determine the weaknesses and strengths in your case and help you promote or defend your positions. Also, your anxieties and fears can be arranged.

How to Determine the Best Time to File For a Divorce in Florida?


It’s vital to determine the most advantageous time to file for your divorce. Together with Attorney Isaacs, you can strategize the best time to file for a divorce and alleviate the possible economic consequences during a specific month. The filing date puts an end to a portion of the “marital pot” and in certain instances starts the financial separation. Choosing the right time to file for a divorce is critical in your divorce.

Contact Attorney Isaacs today to determine the best time to file for your divorce.

Why Do People Want to Get a Separation?

Should you separate before or during the divorce process?

Many spouses separate before starting a divorce. A legal separation is not recognized in Florida. However, you can enter into a post-nuptial agreement or a marital settlement agreement. Florida does not recognize legal separation. In the future, these agreements can be incorporated into the final judgment of dissolution and both parties will be held to the term of this agreement.

Having a definite document stating the parties financial agreement eases both parties minds. The written agreement can determine a financial settlement, child support, and alimony.

These agreements can address certain child support issues such as camp and college education. However, Florida law ends child support upon graduation from high school prior to the age of 19. Note that child support can always be based on the parent’s good fortune or bad fortune.

Schedule a strategic session with attorney Denise Isaacs prior to any separation.

What is the difference between legal and physical custody?

Physical custody refers to where the child lives and who has responsibilities associated with daily childcare. Legal custody is the decision-making responsibilities associated with the education, healthcare and religious upbringing of a child.

What does a separation do and how does it work?

How does a separation work and does Florida recognize legal separation?

Before filing for a divorce, many couples first separate. The state of Florida does not recognize legal separation. However, the state does acknowledge marital and postnuptial agreements which will be incorporated in the final judgment and parties will be ordered to follow. A marital agreement and postnuptial agreement finalize your financial agreement so there cannot be changes made later when the divorce is finally filed. It will be incorporated into a final judgment. This is one way to settle financial issues prior to a filing. However there are rules, and you must consult a lawyer so you can be safe. For example, if there is not a completed financial disclosure from the other spouse this can void the agreement reached.

For more information about separation and post-nuptial agreements in Florida contact Attorney Denise Isaacs at Isaacs Family Law Group.

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