Butash Law Group brings over 30 years of Tampa Bay family law experience to clients facing divorce in Lutz, Florida. Led by former Assistant State Attorney Mike Butash, the firm handles property division, custody, and support with courtroom-tested skill - offering free consultations and a -star Google rating from 136 clients.
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Divorce is one of the most consequential legal events a person can face, affecting marital property division, child custody, parental time-sharing, and long-term financial security. Florida is an equitable distribution state, meaning courts divide marital assets and debts fairly - not necessarily equally - based on factors such as each spouse’s economic circumstances, contributions to the marriage, and future earning capacity. For Lutz residents, proceedings are typically filed in Hillsborough County Circuit Court or Pasco County Circuit Court, depending on the parties’ residency, and the timeline can range from a few months for an uncontested divorce to well over a year for a contested divorce involving disputed assets or parenting arrangements.
Navigating the local court system requires familiarity with Florida’s Family Law Rules of Procedure, mandatory financial disclosure requirements, and the best-interests-of-the-child standard that governs every custody and time-sharing determination. Child support is calculated under Florida’s statutory income-shares guidelines and accounts for each parent’s net income, the number of overnights, and costs such as health insurance and childcare. Alimony - recently reformed under Florida law - may be awarded in bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational forms depending on the length of the marriage and each party’s need and ability to pay. Missing deadlines, failing to disclose assets, or signing an unfavorable settlement agreement can have consequences that last for years.
Butash Law Group has served the Lutz community and the broader Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough County area for more than 30 years. Attorney Mike Butash’s background as a former Assistant State Attorney gives the firm a distinctive understanding of evidence, negotiation strategy, and courtroom advocacy that benefits clients whether their case settles at mediation or proceeds to trial. The firm’s approach is individualized: attorneys take time to understand each client’s priorities - protecting a family home, securing a workable parenting plan, or ensuring accurate valuation of a business interest - and build a legal strategy designed to reach a fair resolution as efficiently as possible.
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The timeline depends largely on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce - where both spouses agree on all terms - can often be finalized within a few months after Florida's mandatory 20-day waiting period. A contested divorce involving disputes over property, custody, or support can take a year or longer, particularly if the case proceeds through discovery and trial in Hillsborough or Pasco County Circuit Court.
No. Florida does not require spouses to be legally separated before filing for divorce. The only residency requirement is that at least one spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months before filing the petition. Once filed, there is a mandatory 20-day waiting period before a final judgment can be entered, though most cases take considerably longer.
Florida follows the principle of <strong>equitable distribution</strong>, meaning marital assets and debts are divided fairly but not necessarily 50/50. Courts consider factors such as each spouse's financial contributions, the duration of the marriage, each party's economic circumstances, and whether one spouse intentionally wasted marital assets. Separate property - assets owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance - is generally not subject to division.
Florida courts use the <strong>best interests of the child</strong> standard to determine parental responsibility and time-sharing schedules. Judges evaluate factors including each parent's ability to meet the child's needs, the child's relationship with each parent, each parent's willingness to support the other's relationship with the child, and the stability of each home environment. Florida law does not automatically favor either parent based on gender.
Yes, but modification requires demonstrating a <strong>substantial change in circumstances</strong> that was not anticipated at the time of the original order. Common grounds include a significant change in either parent's income affecting child support, a parent relocating, or a material change in the child's needs. Butash Law Group assists clients in both pursuing and defending modification petitions in Hillsborough and Pasco County courts.
An <strong>uncontested divorce</strong> occurs when both spouses reach full agreement on all issues - property division, parenting plan, child support, and alimony - before or shortly after filing, allowing the case to resolve more quickly and at lower cost. A <strong>contested divorce</strong> arises when the parties cannot agree on one or more issues, requiring negotiation, mediation, and potentially a trial before a judge. Having an experienced attorney is especially important in contested cases to protect your rights throughout the process.
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Beyond divorce representation, Butash Law Group assists Lutz clients with related family law matters including child custody modifications, paternity actions, and domestic violence injunctions - explore our full range of services or visit our Lutz practice area page to learn more.
