For Edgewater families, a divorce or parenting dispute can affect work schedules, school routines, and day-to-day support. Rice Law Firm helps clients address divorce, time-sharing, child support, and alimony with attention to their circumstances. We also focus on helping spouses over 55 navigate divorce after a long marriage.
Rice Law Firm handles divorce, parenting plans and time-sharing, child support, paternity, alimony, and modifications for Edgewater and south Volusia clients. Our attorneys have served families in east central Florida since 1983, and our office is in Daytona Beach.
Divorce Over 55 for Edgewater 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.
Family Law Services for Edgewater Clients
Divorce and dissolution of marriage. Florida requires only that the marriage be irretrievably broken and that one spouse has lived in the state for six months before filing, under Florida Statute 61.021. More on divorce in Florida
Child support. Guideline support under Florida Statute 61.30 runs on both parents’ net monthly incomes, the number of overnights, health insurance premiums, and childcare costs. Overtime, a second job, and tips all factor in, and how they are documented affects the number. More on child support
Time-sharing and parenting plans. Since 2023 the statute presumes equal time-sharing is in the child’s best interest. For parents working opposite shifts, the workable plan is often not a simple alternating week. More on time-sharing
Paternity for unmarried parents. A valid voluntary acknowledgment can establish legal paternity and parental rights. A court action is needed to obtain a court-ordered parenting plan and time-sharing schedule; child support may be established judicially or through the Department of Revenue. More on paternity
Alimony under Florida Statute 61.08 as amended in 2023. More on alimony
Modifications and enforcement. When an order stops matching reality, or when the other parent stops following it. More on modifications and enforcement
Where Edgewater Cases Are Filed
Edgewater sits in Volusia County, which is part of Florida’s Seventh Judicial Circuit. Family cases are filed with the Volusia County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Hearing locations follow case assignment rather than your home address.
Family cases involve documents, financial disclosure, negotiation, and court proceedings. Whether you must attend a hearing in person or may participate remotely depends on the assigned judge, the type of proceeding, and any applicable order. Mediation arrangements and consultation options should be confirmed in advance.
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 Edgewater Clients
What does a divorce cost?
It depends almost entirely on how much the two of you fight. An agreed case is a fraction of a contested one. At the consultation we will give you a realistic range for a case with your facts rather than a number designed to get you in the door.
Can I get support started before the divorce is final?
Yes. Temporary relief motions address support and the parenting schedule while the case is pending.
My child’s father is not on the birth certificate. What can I do?
The first step is to determine whether legal paternity has already been established. A valid voluntary acknowledgment can establish paternity without a contested court case. If paternity has not been established, an acknowledgment, court action, or applicable Department of Revenue proceeding may establish it. A court can establish a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule, and child support may be ordered judicially or administratively.
He agreed to pay and then stopped. Is there anything that actually happens?
Yes. Enforcement in a family case can include contempt, wage garnishment, license suspension, and a judgment for arrears. Enforcement works best when the order is clear and the payment record is documented.
Talk to an Edgewater Family Law Attorney
You do not need to have decided anything yet to come in and ask what your options are. We will give you an honest read on what is realistic, and if your case is simple enough that you do not need much from us, we will tell you that too. Call Rice Law Firm at 386-257-1222 or send us a message.
