Protecting Your Career, Assets, and Peace of Mind in Central Florida
Divorce is tough for everyone. Doctors, accountants, attorneys and other professionals often face heightened stakes due to complex financial portfolios, demanding schedules, reputational concerns, and exposure to alimony, spousal support and child support.
For high-achieving professionals in Central Florida, divorce can present unique and overwhelming challenges. Located in Altamonte Springs, Florida, we have had the pleasure of representing and assisting professionals navigating the divorce process with discretion, efficiency, and care.
With AdventHealth, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando Heath, and so many other hospitals, we frequently see how much divorce can impact our doctors and nurses, as well as the other professionals in the Greater Orlando area.
If you are a professional in Central Florida considering divorce, TK Law is your trusted partner for protecting what matters most—your future.
Why Divorce Is Different for Professionals in Central Florida
As a doctor, accountant, attorney or other high-earning and high-achieving professional, your divorce involves considerations that go beyond the average case. These issues are particularly relevant in Central Florida, whereprofessionals often have significant real estate investments, complex financial planning, high earning potential, and busy schedules to match our busy highways and booming job and housing markets.
Special Considerations for Doctors, Physicians, Accountants and Attorneys  in Divorce
To help illustrate how divorce is different for professionals, consider the following example of a doctor in Central Florida that was facing unique challenges when going through their divorce:
- Practice as Marital Property/Â Practice Valuation:
Depending on the circumstances, your practice may be a marital asset subject to distribution. If an agreement cannot be reached on the value of the practice, the courts can require an appraisal to determine the value of your practice. To offset the value of your practice, other marital assets, like your home or retirement accounts, may come into play.
If you own your own firm or have equity in a partnership, we ensure your ownership interests are accurately valued and fairly divided. This is another place that planning ahead can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Proactive steps, like prenuptial and postnuptial agreement or various business documents like partnership agreements and operating agreements can minimize exposure if you plan far enough in advance.
- Alimony Considerations:
If your spouse supported you through law school, medical school or residency, they might be entitled to alimony or a greater share of marital property. In addition, professionals often divide the labor in the marriage by delegating many of the household tasks to the spouse that is not a professional. This can also have a significant impact on alimony as a large income disparity and ability to earn can become the centerpiece of the conversations surrounding a separation or divorce.
- Complex Financial Portfolios:
Professionals understand the value of finding other professionals to help them make good long-term financial decisions. Many professionals have layered investments and assets, requiring meticulous analysis to ensure equitable division.
- Variable Income:
Bonuses, seasonal income, or performance-based earnings can complicate spousal and child support calculations. Finding a lawyer that can help look at your employment contract and decipher what your actual income is can create a significant difference in the support you pay.
Other High-Stakes Issues for Professionals
For professionals—doctors, lawyers, executives, and entrepreneurs—key concerns during divorce include:
- Reputation Management:
Your career and reputation may be tied to your income. To protect your reputation, divorce proceedings must be handled discreetly to protect your professional standing. Many professional opt for collaborative or cooperative divorces to avoid the public embarrassment. A key component for those that elect to participate in a collaborative divorce is that the process occurs outside of the courtroom.
- Child Custody and Scheduling Issues:
Demanding careers require custody arrangements that work with your schedule while prioritizing your children’s well-being. Many professionals require flexibility and creative solutions when crafting a parenting plan that allows the professional to stay actively involved in their child’s life.
- License Protection:
Safeguarding your professional license from any potential impact is crucial. This is another reason that many professionals seek to explore options that minimize discovery and excessive litigation
Why High-Achieving Professionals Are More Exposed During Divorce
You spent years in college and/or graduate school. You gambled on yourself financially and possibly even borrowed money to help you pay for your education. The success you have worked so hard to achieve can create challenges during divorce, including:
- Significant Financial Stakes:
With high earnings come more complex financial arrangements, such as retirement accounts, investments, and asset portfolios. It is often helpful to employ financial advisors and planners to help protect your future retirement and plans.
- Increased Support Obligations:
High earners may face substantial spousal and child support obligations. While Florida courts look at your current income differential when determining support, you need to be careful to avoid unreasonable asks for support simply because of your income. Unless one party simply cannot work, we presume that both parties can earn an income that can be used to support a shared child.
How TK Law Helps High-Achieving Professionals in Central Florida
At TK Law, we offer tailored solutions to help professionals protect their assets, reputation, and peace of mind.
Because we have lawyers that practice a wide variety of areas of law, we have experience in valuing and dividing complex assets like medical practices, CPA firms, and investment portfolios, ensuring fairness and accuracy. Our lawyers are able to guide you through this process and explain your options every steps of the way.
If you just need some advice or if you want to discuss your options, our Altamonte Springs office sits in-between State Road 434 and State Road 436  adjacent to I4. At TK Law we offer flexible scheduling (including early and late consultations), virtual consultations, and streamlined processes to accommodate your busy schedule.
We understand the importance of keeping personal matters private, especially for professionals whose reputations impact their careers. Early legal advice ensures your interests are protected. TK Law can help you get prepared.
Schedule a consultation with our Altamonte Springs office today by calling us at 407-834-4847. TK Law: One Firm for Life.