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Our Attorneys

Paul E. Rice, Jr.

Managing Partner

Practice Areas

Marital & Family Law, Board Certified

Meet Paul E. Rice, Jr.

Mr. Rice is a lifelong resident of Daytona Beach, Florida. He has been representing divorce and family law clients in Daytona Beach and Volusia and Flagler Counties for over 40 years. Mr. Rice is board certified in marital and family law by the Florida Bar. Only six percent of all lawyers in Florida are board certified. Mr. Rice has attained an AV Preeminent Rating, the maximum rating for legal ability and ethics that a lawyer can receive by Martindale-Hubbell, the leading national law firm directory. Mr. Rice is the past president of the Volusia County Bar Association, and he served as the chairman of the VCBA’s Family Section from 2004 through 2022.

Mr. Rice takes a solution-oriented approach to family law. In most divorce and family law cases, an early, amicable and inexpensive resolution should be sought, assuming the client’s goals will not be compromised. In some cases, trial is inevitable. Mr. Rice has extensive trial experience in all types of divorce and family law matters.

Areas of Practice

Divorce
Senior Divorce (Divorcing Spouses Over 50)
Prenuptial Agreements
Paternity
Modifications
Relocation of minor children
Injunctions for Protection / Domestic Violence

Professional Certifications

Board Certified as a specialist in Divorce and Family Law
AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (Highest possible rating)
Chair, Volusia County Bar Association’s Family Law Section (2004- 2022)
President, Volusia County Bar Association (2001-2002)
Board of Directors , Volusia County Bar Association (1999-2001)
Member, Florida Bar Association’s Family Law Section (2007 – present)
Member, Dunn-Blount Inns of Court (2001-2005)
Member, Volusia County Civil Trial Attorneys Association (2006 – 2016)
Bar Admissions:
Florida Bar, 1983
United States District Court Middle District of Florida, 1984

Education

Juris Doctor, University of Florida School of Law, 1983

Member, Florida Blue Key

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Florida, 1980

President, Mortar Board Honor Society (1977-1978)
Vice-President, Interfraternity Council (1978-1979)
UF Student Senator (1977-1978)
Brother and Secretary (1978-1979) of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity

Exchange Program, Oxford University School of Law, England 1982

Leadership and Community Involvement

Chair, City of Daytona Beach Nuisance Abatement Board (2000-present)
Board of Directors, Volusia / Flagler YMCA (2011-2014)
Board of Directors, Ormond Beach YMCA (2014 – present)
President, Daytona Beach Track Club (1995-1997)
Board of Directors, Daytona Beach Track Club (1994-2001 )
Captain, Daytona Beach Quarterback Club (2003)
Member, City of Daytona Beach Right Sizing Task Force (2004)
Member, Daytona Beach City Commission Salary Review Committee (2000)

Personal / Interests

Married with three children, two sons and a daughter
Surfs both locally and abroad
Long time competitive runner and triathlete
All American, USA Triathlon (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons)
Former Member, US Masters Swimming
Ocean Lifeguard, Volusia County Beach Patrol (Summers 1977 – 1982)

Contact Mr. Rice today for a consultation!

Paul Rice's Blog

A Florida Circuit Court order required one party in a divorce to pay the other's attorney's fees and further ruled that the fee award was not dischargeable in bankruptcy. In a recent ruling, the Third District Court of Appeals reversed that lower court decision stating that the law does not allow a state court to decide the federal issue of discharge prior to the filing of any bankruptcy proceeding. The court explained that the problem with the state court's judgment is that it reached an issue of federal law that is not yet ripe for consideration. A state court is free to place language in a judgment to memorialize factual determinations or legal rulings on questions of state law that may later assist a bankruptcy court in deciding, as a matter of federal law, the dischargeability of obligations created by the judgment.
Generally speaking, a person’s alimony obligation terminates if his or her ex-spouse gets remarried. In some states, such as Florida, laws have been passed allowing alimony to be terminated if one’s former spouse enters into a supportive relationship. A supportive relationship is, simply put, two unrelated persons holding themselves out as spouses who reside together and provide support or services to one another. Florida’s divorce laws notwithstanding, divorcing spouses are free to craft their own agreements as to alimony and the reasons for which it can be terminated.