Wellington Divorce and Family Law Attorney

Wellington divorces may involve assets that a standard property division does not fit. Show horses, equestrian farms, training and boarding businesses, and homes used only during the winter season all require careful valuation and a clear strategy. The Law Offices of James S. Cunha, P.A. represents Wellington residents in divorce, alimony, child custody, and prenuptial agreement matters, with a focus on cases where significant assets are at stake.

Our office is in downtown West Palm Beach, about a 25 to 35 minute drive from Wellington. We also offer virtual consultations, which many clients prefer during the busy winter show season.

Under Florida’s equitable distribution law, horses, farms, and equestrian businesses are treated like other property. They can be marital, nonmarital, or a mix of both. The questions that come up most often include:

• Valuation. A horse’s value can depend on show record, age, soundness, training, and breeding potential, and it can change quickly. We work with qualified appraisers and valuation professionals to support the numbers.
• Horses or property owned before marriage. These generally start as nonmarital assets. However, an increase in value caused by marital funds or either spouse’s efforts during the marriage can be treated as marital.
• Ongoing costs. Board, training, vet care, and show fees continue during a divorce. Temporary orders can address who pays them while the case is pending.
• Farms and businesses. Barn properties, training operations, and breeding programs may require a business valuation as well as a real estate appraisal.

Several Wellington families split their year between Florida and another state. Before a Florida court can grant a divorce, at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing. When spouses have homes in more than one state, choosing where to file can affect which state’s law applies to property division and support. We help clients evaluate those options early, before the other spouse files elsewhere.

Wellington is part of Florida’s 15th Judicial Circuit. Family cases for Wellington residents are generally handled at the main courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, a few blocks from our office. At times, cases can be assigned to the North Palm Beach County Courthouse, 3188 PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. We know the local procedures, mediation requirements, and scheduling practices that shape how a case moves.

We represent clients throughout Wellington and Loxahatchee, including Palm Beach Polo, Grand Prix Village, Saddle Trail, Olympia, and the communities along Forest Hill Boulevard and State Road 7.

• High-asset divorce. We work with forensic accountants and business valuation professionals to identify, value, and trace marital and separate property.
• Alimony. We evaluate claims under Florida’s current alimony law and use our durational alimony calculator as a starting point.
• Parenting plans and child support. We build timesharing schedules that fit your family and calculate support under Florida guidelines.
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. We draft, review, and challenge agreements.
• Modifications. We seek changes to alimony, child support, or parenting plans after a final judgment.

If you live in Wellington or Loxahatchee and are considering divorce or facing a family law issue, call the Law Offices of James S. Cunha, P.A. at (561) 429-3924 to schedule a confidential consultation. Consultations are by appointment only.