Equitable distribution starts by sorting marital property from separate property, then divides the marital portion fairly in light of the marriage’s circumstances. Length of the marriage, each spouse’s contribution, and the desirability of keeping an asset like a business intact all factor in. Fair does not always mean an even split, and in high asset cases the deviation is often where the real negotiation happens.
The classification step carries enormous weight in a complex estate, because labeling an asset separate can remove it from the division entirely. A high asset divorce attorney in Orlando spends much of the early case making sure each asset is correctly characterized before anyone argues about percentages.
