Physician, Attorney & Dental Divorce · Florida

Professional Practice Divorce in Florida.
Practice Valuation, Goodwill & Confidential Discovery.

Florida divorces involving physicians, attorneys, dentists, accountants, and other licensed professionals require specific handling: practice valuation, the personal-vs-enterprise goodwill split, accounts-receivable analysis, accurate income measurement (which is often more complex than W-2 income), and confidentiality protocols for patient/client information during discovery. Attorney Fraser handles every case personally.

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Quick Answer

Florida professional-practice divorces apply Fla. Stat. § 61.075 equitable distribution to the practice's tangible assets, accounts receivable, and enterprise goodwill (but not personal goodwill). Valuation typically requires a qualified business appraiser using income, market, and asset approaches. Discovery must protect patient/client privilege through protective orders. Income for support purposes (Fla. Stat. § 61.30) is often higher than reported W-2 income because of practice-level perks and distributions. Free consultation: 877-862-7188.

Professional Practice Divorce

What Makes These Cases Different

Professional-practice divorces sit at the intersection of family law, business valuation, professional licensing, and ethics rules. Unlike a standard W-2 wage earner, a partner in a medical group or law firm has income components that don’t appear on a single tax return: K-1 distributions, capital account contributions and returns, deferred comp, partnership buy-in/buy-out provisions, eat-what-you-kill compensation models, and side-stream consulting. Each affects equitable distribution and support calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional Divorce Questions

Is my medical/dental/law practice divisible in divorce?
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Yes — to the extent it grew during the marriage. Florida applies equitable distribution under Fla. Stat. § 61.075. Both tangible assets (equipment, real estate, AR) and intangible value (goodwill, going-concern) are evaluated. Personal goodwill — tied to the individual's reputation and skill — is generally not divisible in Florida; enterprise goodwill — tied to the practice itself — is divisible.
How is professional goodwill calculated and divided?
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Goodwill is fair market value minus identifiable tangible assets. Florida splits goodwill into personal (non-divisible) and enterprise (divisible). Fact-specific: a solo physician's goodwill is mostly personal; a multi-physician group with established branding, contracts, and patient base may have substantial enterprise goodwill. A qualified business appraiser performs the analysis.
What about accounts receivable?
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AR earned during the marriage are marital, even if not yet collected. Valuation accounts for collectibility — historic write-offs, payor mix, aging schedule. Valuation date matters: filing date or trial date, depending on the asset. Distribution can be a buyout or an offsetting award.
Will divorce affect my medical or bar license?
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Divorce itself does not. But conduct during proceedings can. Misconduct involving children, financial deception, or domestic violence can produce disciplinary risk for licensed professionals. Patient/client confidentiality must be maintained throughout discovery; protective orders are commonly used. Attorney Fraser structures discovery to protect privileged third-party information.
What's the timeline impact for a practicing professional?
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Professional divorces typically run 9–18 months — longer than standard contested cases — due to valuation, forensic accounting, and discovery time. Fourth Circuit mandatory mediation generally happens after substantial discovery. Many cases resolve at mediation when valuation is clear; trial alternative may last 2–4 days.

Professional Divorce Free Consultation

Confidential consultation. Phone or video. Same-week availability. Coordination with your accountant and partnership counsel.

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