Collier County Divorce & Family Law Attorney

The Law Firm of Jeffrey Alan Aenlle, PLLC is a boutique divorce and family law firm located at 1221 Brickell Avenue, Suite 900, Miami, Florida 33131, serving clients throughout Collier County in divorce, child custody, alimony, child support, paternity, and prenuptial agreements.

Collier County is one of Florida’s wealthiest counties – home to Naples, Marco Island, and Bonita Springs – with a large concentration of high-net-worth individuals, seasonal residents, retirees, and international property owners. Divorce and family law matters in Collier County frequently involve significant real estate holdings, retirement asset division, complex marital estates, and alimony disputes arising from long-term marriages. Family law proceedings in Collier County are handled by the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division, located in Naples.

Collier County Family Court: The Twentieth Judicial Circuit

Divorce and family law proceedings in Collier County are handled by the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division, located at the Collier County Courthouse, 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida 34112.

The Twentieth Judicial Circuit handles all matters relating to dissolution of marriage, parental responsibility and timesharing, child support, alimony, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, and modification of family court orders.

Key procedural requirements in Collier County Family Court include:

  • Mandatory mediation before most contested family law matters can be set for trial
  • Mandatory financial disclosure including exchange of financial affidavits under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.285
  • Mandatory parenting course completion before final hearing in cases involving minor children under Fla. Stat. § 61.21
  • Guardian ad Litem appointment in contested timesharing cases involving the welfare of minor children

Divorce in Collier County

Florida is a no-fault divorce state. The sole ground for dissolution of marriage is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fla. Stat. § 61.052. At least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for a minimum of six months before filing. Fla. Stat. § 61.021.

Collier County divorce cases frequently involve the division of significant marital estates, luxury real estate, and retirement assets accumulated over long-term marriages. Our firm handles the full spectrum of Collier County divorce matters including:

  • Simplified dissolution of marriage
  • Uncontested divorce and Marital Settlement Agreement drafting
  • Contested divorce litigation
  • High-net-worth divorce involving luxury real estate and complex asset portfolios
  • Gray divorce involving long-term marriages and retirement asset division
  • International divorce with cross-border asset considerations
  • Divorce involving seasonal residents and non-domiciliary spouses

Equitable Distribution in Collier County Divorces

Florida divides marital assets and liabilities equitably between spouses under Fla. Stat. § 61.075. In Collier County divorces, equitable distribution frequently involves:

  • Naples and Marco Island luxury waterfront real estate
  • Investment and brokerage accounts
  • Business ownership interests and professional practices
  • Retirement accounts including 401(k), IRA, and pension plans
  • Deferred compensation and stock portfolios
  • Boats, vessels, and watercraft
  • Art, jewelry, and collectibles
  • Cryptocurrency and digital assets

Proper valuation of these assets often requires forensic accounting and expert testimony. Our firm works with experienced financial professionals to ensure all marital assets are fully identified, properly valued, and equitably distributed.

Alimony in Collier County Divorce Cases

Florida’s alimony law was significantly reformed effective July 1, 2023. Permanent alimony was abolished. Courts may now award bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational alimony based on the length of the marriage and the statutory factors set forth in Fla. Stat. § 61.08. The length of the marriage is the primary factor governing the type and duration of alimony available:

  • Short-term marriage (under 7 years): durational alimony not to exceed 50% of the length of the marriage
  • Moderate-term marriage (7 to 17 years): durational alimony not to exceed 60% of the length of the marriage
  • Long-term marriage (17 years or more): durational alimony not to exceed 75%
    of the length of the marriage

Collier County divorces frequently involve long-term marriages and significant income disparity between spouses – circumstances that make alimony a central and consequential issue in the dissolution proceeding. Our firm represents both payors and recipients of alimony in negotiation, mediation, and contested litigation. For more information visit our alimony attorney page.

Child Custody and Timesharing in Collier County

Florida law governs parental responsibility and timesharing through a mandatory Parenting Plan. Fla. Stat. § 61.13. Effective July 1, 2023, Florida established a
rebuttable presumption that equal timesharing – a 50/50 schedule –  is in the best interests of the child. Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)(1).

Our firm drafts comprehensive Parenting Plans and represents parents in contested timesharing proceedings before Collier County Family Court. For more information visit our child custody attorney page.

Prenuptial Agreements for Collier County Residents

For high-net-worth individuals, retirees, and seasonal residents in Collier County, a well-drafted prenuptial agreement is one of the most effective tools available for protecting pre-marital assets, real estate holdings, and financial plans. Florida prenuptial agreements are governed by the Florida Premarital Agreement Act, Fla. Stat. § 61.079.

Our firm drafts and reviews prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for Collier County residents with particular attention to protecting significant pre-marital real estate and retirement assets.

Communities We Serve Throughout Collier County

Our firm represents clients in divorce and family law matters throughout Collier County including:

  • Naples
  • Marco Island
  • Bonita Springs
  • Immokalee
  • Everglades City
  • Golden Gate
  • Lely Resort
  • Ave Maria

We also serve clients throughout Miami-Dade County and Broward County.

Free Consultation: Collier County Family Law Attorney

If you are facing a divorce, custody dispute, alimony matter, or any other family law issue in Collier County, contact the Law Firm of Jeffrey Alan Aenlle, PLLC to schedule your free initial consultation. Call  +1.786.309.8588 today.