P - Parenting
Parenting, also known as custody or time-sharing, is a cornerstone of family law. We focus on creating a parenting plan that serves the best interests of the child, which includes:
- Time-Sharing Schedule: Detailed plans outlining when the child will spend time with each parent.
- Parental Responsibility: Decisions on whether parents will share decision-making or if one parent will have sole authority.
- Communication and Cooperation: Encouraging effective communication and cooperation between parents to ensure a stable and nurturing environment for the child.
E - Equitable Distribution
Equitable distribution involves the fair division of marital assets and liabilities upon divorce. In Florida, this means:
- Marital vs. Non-Marital Assets: Differentiating between assets acquired during the marriage and those owned individually before the marriage.
- Fairness and Equity: Dividing assets fairly, though not necessarily equally, considering each party's financial situation and contributions.
- Debt Allocation: Equitably distributing marital debts alongside assets.
Our goal is to achieve a fair financial settlement that allows both parties to move forward independently.
A - Alimony
Alimony provides financial assistance to the lower-earning spouse post-divorce. Types of alimony in Florida include:
- Temporary Alimony: Support during the divorce proceedings.
- Bridge-the-Gap Alimony: Short-term support to assist with the transition to single life.
- Rehabilitative Alimony: Support for education or training to help the recipient become self-sufficient.
- Durational Alimony: Time-limited support for a specific period.
The court considers various factors such as the length of the marriage, financial resources, and each party's earning capacity to determine the appropriate type and amount of alimony.
C - Child Support
Child support ensures a child's needs are met following a divorce. The amount is calculated based on:
- Parents' Income: Combined monthly net income of both parents.
- Child's Needs: Standard needs including housing, food, clothing, education, and healthcare.
- Time-Sharing Arrangements: Time each parent spends with the child can influence the support amount.
- Additional Expenses: Extraordinary expenses such as medical care, special needs, or extracurricular activities.
Child support aims to maintain a child's standard of living similar to what they enjoyed during the marriage.
E - Everything Else
“Everything Else” covers additional issues that may arise in family law cases, including:
- Domestic Violence: Addressing allegations and ensuring the safety of all parties.
- Relocation: Resolving disputes when a parent wishes to relocate with the child.
- Enforcement and Modification: Addressing the enforcement or modification of existing court orders as circumstances change.
- Name Changes: Option to change your name back to your maiden name in a divorce.
Why It's Important to Follow the PEACE Order in Divorce
Divorce can feel overwhelming — emotionally, legally, and financially. That's why we use the PEACE framework to guide our clients through a structured and strategic process for resolving all divorce-related issues.
PEACE stands for:
P – Parenting
E – Equitable Distribution
A – Alimony
C – Child Support
E – Everything Else
Following this order is not just practical — it's essential to ensuring fair, efficient, and legally sound outcomes. Here's why:
1️⃣ Parenting Comes First
Why it matters:
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You can't finalize financial matters like child support until you know what the timesharing schedule looks like.
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Parenting plans and custody arrangements influence every other part of your divorce — including housing, income needs, and even job flexibility.
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Starting with children's needs reflects what the court prioritizes: the best interests of the child.
Key Considerations:
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Timesharing (physical custody/overnights)
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Parental responsibility (decision-making authority)
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Communication, travel, school, and medical planning
2️⃣ Equitable Distribution Next (Assets & Debts)
Why it matters:
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You can't determine who needs support or who can afford to pay without a full financial picture.
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Dividing marital assets and debts first gives both parties clarity about what they have to work with moving forward.
Key Considerations:
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Identifying marital vs. non-marital property
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Valuing and dividing real estate, retirement accounts, and businesses
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Addressing debts, liabilities, and hidden assets
3️⃣ Then Alimony (Spousal Support)
Why it matters:
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Once the asset and debt picture is clear, the court can properly assess whether one spouse needs alimony and whether the other can afford to pay.
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Under Florida's new alimony law (2023), the type and duration of alimony depends heavily on both parties' post-division financial standing.
Key Considerations:
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Duration of the marriage
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Income disparity
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Earning capacity and future plans
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Alimony is also counted as income for child support calculations
4️⃣ Then Child Support
Why it matters:
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You need the parenting schedule and alimony amounts finalized first — both directly impact the child support formula in Florida.
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Ensures children are financially supported without overburdening either parent.
Key Considerations:
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Combined income
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Number of overnights with each parent
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Childcare, health insurance, and special needs
5️⃣ Finally: Everything Else
Why it matters:
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Addressing all other remaining issues last helps avoid distractions from the core elements of your divorce.
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This includes enforcement provisions, tax considerations, name changes, relocation clauses, or any unique concerns.
Key Considerations:
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Life insurance to secure support
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Tax filings and dependency credits
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College expenses, travel costs, dispute resolution processes
✅ Conclusion: Why the PEACE Order Works
Divorce isn't just about checking boxes. It's about making decisions that impact your family's future — legally, emotionally, and financially.
Following the PEACE order:
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Prioritizes your children's well-being
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Creates financial clarity before jumping into support
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Reduces unnecessary conflict
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Aligns with how Florida courts approach family law cases
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Sets you up for a smoother transition into post-divorce life
At Family Matters Law Group, P.A., we guide our clients through this process step by step — whether you're in full litigation, mediation, or working through our DIY Legal platform.
📞 Ready for clarity in your divorce?
Schedule a Strategy Session and let's make a plan that prioritizes PEACE.
