DeLand is where Volusia County keeps its courthouse, which means west Volusia residents often assume their family case is simpler because the building is close. The building being close has very little to do with it. What determines how your case goes is what you and the other parent or spouse can agree on, and how well prepared you are when you cannot agree.
Rice Law Firm handles divorce, time-sharing, child support, alimony, paternity, and modification matters for clients in DeLand, DeLeon Springs, Orange City, DeBary, Lake Helen, and Pierson. We serve west Volusia clients from our only office in Daytona Beach.
Divorce Over 55 for DeLand Clients
Divorce over 55 is a major focus of Rice Law Firm’s family law practice. If you are ending a long marriage, our attorneys can help you understand the divorce process, address questions about spousal support, and prepare for life after divorce.
Paul E. Rice, Jr. represents spouses over 55 and offers mediation and collaborative divorce options when appropriate. Explore the firm’s dedicated senior-divorce resource or schedule a consultation to discuss your circumstances.
Volusia County Family Law from the West Side
Volusia County belongs to Florida’s Seventh Judicial Circuit. Family cases are filed through the Volusia County Clerk of the Circuit Court, and a case filed by a DeLand resident may be heard at the courthouse in DeLand or in Daytona Beach depending on assignment.
For west Volusia clients, the practical questions are usually about travel. How many trips to the courthouse does this take, how many of those can be handled by the attorney without you present, and can the consultation and document signing happen without a forty minute drive each way. We answer those at the first meeting.
Family Law Services for DeLand Clients
Divorce and dissolution of marriage, with guidance on the divorce process, spousal support, and parenting plans. More on divorce in Florida
Time-sharing and parental responsibility. Florida replaced custody and visitation with parental responsibility and time-sharing, and since 2023 the statute presumes equal time-sharing is in the child’s best interest. Long commutes between DeLand and the beachside complicate school-year schedules, and the plan needs to reflect the drive rather than pretend it does not exist. More on time-sharing
Child support under the Florida Statute 61.30 guidelines. More on child support
Alimony under Florida Statute 61.08 as amended in 2023. More on alimony
Paternity, relocation, modifications, enforcement, and injunctions for protection. See all services
Clients looking for volusia county family law representation from the west side of the county get the same attorneys, the same preparation, and the same direct phone line as clients who live three blocks from our office.
The Attorneys
Paul E. Rice, Jr., managing partner, focuses on marital and family law, including divorce for spouses over 55. He is board certified in marital and family law by The Florida Bar, a Florida Supreme Court certified family law mediator, and formally trained in collaborative divorce. Bio
Philip J. Bonamo, partner, handles marital and family law and criminal defense. He is board certified in criminal trial law by The Florida Bar. Bio
MaryCatherine Crock and Serena Baldacchino, family law, paternity, and injunctions for protection.
Wills, Trusts and Probate
Rice Law Firm also handles wills, trusts, and probate. Matthew Shapiro leads the firm’s estate planning and probate practice. Learn about wills, trusts and probate.
Your First Consultation
Bring recent income information, tax returns, and any existing court orders. If children are involved, bring notes about the current parenting schedule. Use the consultation to discuss your concerns about divorce, support, parenting arrangements, or divorce after 55 and to ask about the next steps.
Call 386-257-1222 or use the form below. Rice Law Firm’s only office is at 222 Seabreeze Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32118.
Common Questions from DeLand Clients
Is it a problem that my attorney’s office is in Daytona Beach?
No. Filing is countywide, hearings are set by case assignment, and most of what happens in a family case happens on paper and over email rather than in a courtroom.
How long does a Volusia County divorce take?
An uncontested case with a signed agreement generally takes less time than a contested case. Disputes over support or parenting arrangements, required disclosure, and court availability affect the timeline. Your attorney can explain what to expect in your case.
Do I need to go to every hearing?
Not every hearing requires your participation. Some procedural matters may be handled by counsel, while mediation and evidentiary hearings generally require your involvement. Your attorney will confirm whether you must attend and whether the proceeding is in person or remote under the assigned judge’s procedures.
My ex has moved to Orange City and wants to change the schedule. Can they?
A court-ordered parenting plan may be modified upon a substantial and material change in circumstances when modification is in the child’s best interests. A move must be evaluated for its actual effect on the existing schedule, exchanges, and schooling. Florida law also addresses a parent moving within 50 miles of the other parent when they previously lived more than 50 miles apart.
Talk to a DeLand Family Law Attorney
West Volusia families have been part of this firm’s practice for four decades, and the distance between DeLand and Seabreeze Boulevard has never been the thing that decided a case. Call Rice Law Firm at 386-257-1222 or send us a message, and we will tell you where you stand.
