FLORIDA MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS
A Clear Agreement Can Help You Move Forward With Confidence
Practical legal guidance for negotiating, reviewing and drafting the terms of your Florida divorce settlement.
Reaching an agreement with your spouse can eliminate many of the uncertainties of a contested divorce. But the terms must clearly address the financial, property and other issues that can affect life after the divorce is final.
Caroline Olson helps clients understand what they are agreeing to before they sign, with a straightforward, solution-oriented approach built around your circumstances.
Family Law Experience Since 1999 | 3 Convenient South Florida Offices
A PRACTICAL STARTING POINT
What Is a Marital Settlement Agreement in Florida?
A written agreement that defines the terms you and your spouse have resolved as part of your divorce.
A marital settlement agreement, often called an MSA, documents the terms spouses have agreed upon in connection with divorce.
Depending on the circumstances, it may address property, debts, the marital home, retirement accounts, business interests, alimony, insurance, taxes, attorney’s fees and other financial responsibilities.
When minor children are involved, parenting and time-sharing provisions are generally addressed through a parenting plan.
Property
Debts
Retirement
Alimony
Taxes and Deadlines
PUTTING THE DETAILS IN WRITING
What Can Be Included in a Marital Settlement Agreement?
Every marriage and every financial situation is different. Your agreement should reflect yours.
Marital Home & Real Estate
Address sale terms, refinancing, carrying costs, deadlines and distribution of proceeds.
Financial Accounts
Identify how marital checking, savings, brokerage and other accounts will be allocated.
Retirement Benefits
Define the division of retirement accounts, pensions and any required transfer documents.
Businesses & Complex Assets
Address business interests, professional practices and other significant assets.
Marital Debts
Clarify responsibility for mortgages, loans, credit cards, taxes and other liabilities.
Alimony
Set out amount, duration, payment terms and other applicable conditions for support.
Insurance
Address life, health and other coverage obligations where appropriate.
Taxes & Deadlines
Clarify filing responsibilities, payment dates, transfers and other important timing issues.
THE DETAILS MATTER
A Settlement Should Solve Problems, Not Create New Ones
The major terms get most of the attention, but the details behind those decisions can matter just as much.
If a home will be sold, the agreement may need to address when it will be listed, who pays expenses before closing and how proceeds are distributed. If one spouse will keep the home, refinancing deadlines and responsibility for the mortgage may need to be addressed.
Retirement transfers, payment deadlines, insurance obligations, taxes and procedures for handling future disputes may also require clear language.
Before You Sign, you should understand what the agreement requires from you and what you can expect from the other party.
Questions to Answer Clearly
Who is responsible?
Define each party’s obligations.
What is the deadline?
Put important dates in writing.
How is value divided?
Spell out percentages or amounts.
What happens next?
Address practical implementation.
A PRACTICAL PATH FORWARD
How Do Spouses Reach a Marital Settlement Agreement?
The process can be cooperative without leaving important issues unprotected
Understand Your Priorities
Identify the financial, property and family issues that matter most to you.
Understand the Financial Picture
Review assets, debts, income, expenses and the information needed to evaluate options
Negotiate From an Informed Position
Work toward practical solutions through negotiation, mediation or both.
Put the Agreement in Clear Writing
Document responsibilities, deadlines and expectations before the divorce is finalized.
SOLUTION-ORIENTED FAMILY LAW
Focused on Resolution. Prepared When Agreement Is Not Possible.
A successful settlement lets spouses participate in decisions that will affect their own futures instead of leaving every disputed issue for a judge to decide.
Caroline approaches settlement from a position of preparation. You should understand your financial circumstances, the issues being negotiated and the consequences of proposed terms before making a final decision.
When agreement cannot be reached, she is prepared to advocate for her client through the litigation process.
Strategy Message
Your future should drive the strategy. The objective is not conflict for the sake of conflict. It is reaching the most appropriate resolution for your circumstances.
BEFORE YOU SIGN
A Marital Settlement Agreement Can Affect You for Years
A settlement agreement is more than divorce paperwork. Once entered and incorporated into the divorce judgment, its terms can create important ongoing obligations.
Legal review can help identify missing details, unclear language and potential long-term consequences before documents are signed.
- Identify provisions that need more detail
- Understand financial consequences
- Clarify deadlines and responsibilities
- Reduce avoidable ambiguity
Review Principle
Do not evaluate a proposed settlement solely by what it gives you today. Consider what it requires tomorrow.
MEET CAROLINE R. OLSON
Experienced Guidance With a Personal Approach
Caroline R. Olson is the founder and principal attorney of Caroline Olson, P.A. Her family law experience dates to 1999.
Caroline’s approach is straightforward and solution-oriented. She takes time to understand what matters to you, explains the issues in understandable terms and helps you evaluate possible solutions based on your circumstances.
Here to guide you with competence and compassion as you close one difficult chapter and look to a brighter and more peaceful future.
Proof Points
- Family Law Experience Since 1999
- Personal Attention
- Solution-Oriented Approach
- Prepared for Negotiation, Mediation or Litigation
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED
Three Offices. One Personal Approach.
Caroline Olson, P.A. makes it easier to speak with an experienced family law attorney through three convenient South Florida office locations.
Office
Boca Raton Office
6501 Congress Avenue, Suite 100, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Jupiter Office
601 Heritage Drive, Suite 452, Jupiter, FL 33458
Plantation Office
8551 W. Sunrise Blvd., Suite 208, Plantation, FL 33322
Serving clients throughout South Florida, including Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Naples, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Plantation, Wellington, West Palm Beach and surrounding communities.
FLORIDA MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FAQS
Common Questions About Marital Settlement Agreements
What is a marital settlement agreement in Florida?
A marital settlement agreement is a written contract setting out terms spouses have agreed upon as part of their divorce. It can address property, debts, support and other financial or administrative issues involved in ending the marriage.
What issues can be included in a marital settlement agreement?
Depending on the case, an agreement may address the marital home, real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement benefits, business interests, debts, alimony, insurance, taxes, attorney’s fees and other negotiated obligations.
Is a parenting plan part of the marital settlement agreement?
Parenting responsibility and time-sharing are generally addressed through a parenting plan, which may be referenced by or attached to the parties’ settlement documents.
Do we have to agree on everything immediately?
No. Negotiations may take place over time, and mediation can be used to work through unresolved issues. If spouses cannot resolve certain disputes, those issues may need to be decided through litigation.
Do I need an attorney if my spouse and I already agree?
Legal review can still help identify missing details, unclear provisions and possible long-term consequences before documents are signed.
Can a marital settlement agreement be changed after divorce?
It depends on the provision, the wording of the agreement and Florida law. Some obligations may be modifiable under certain circumstances, while others can be much more difficult to change.
Where can I meet with Caroline Olson?
Caroline Olson, P.A. has offices in Boca Raton, Jupiter and Plantation and serves clients throughout South Florida.
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes. Call (561) 288-0548 or complete the consultation form to request your free initial consultation.
Q: Does Caroline Olson offer a free initial consultation?
A: Yes. Caroline Olson, P.A. offers a free initial consultation so you can discuss your circumstances, ask questions and learn more about the next steps that may be available to you.
START WITH A CONVERSATION
Request Your Free Initial Consultation
Whether you are beginning settlement negotiations, reviewing terms proposed by your spouse or preparing to sign an agreement, start with a conversation about what matters to you.
You Do Not Have to Figure Out the Next Step Alone
Whether you are beginning settlement negotiations, reviewing terms proposed by your spouse or preparing to sign an agreement, start with a conversation about what matters to you.
Free Initial Consultation
A low-pressure first conversation about your situation.
Three Convenient South Florida Offices
Boca Raton, Jupiter and Plantation.
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GET CLARITY BEFORE YOU SIGN
Get Clarity Before You Sign
The terms of your marital settlement agreement may affect your finances, property and family life long after the divorce is final. Make sure you understand the agreement and the responsibilities it creates before you commit to it.
Protecting What Is Most Precious To You Since 1999.
