The P.E.A.C.E. Acronym: How Florida Judges Organize a Divorce Trial
In our first short video, Adam T. Magill, MBA, CBA, CVA, MAFF, explains the P.E.A.C.E. acronym, which many Florida judges use, with intentional irony, to describe the order in which they want issues presented at a divorce trial.
What P.E.A.C.E. stands for
P – Parenting plan
E – Equitable distribution
A – Alimony
C – Child support
E – Everything else
Parenting plan
From a financial point of view, the parenting plan matters mainly for two things: the number of overnights each parent has agreed to, and how the parents have agreed to split extracurricular and other costs related to the children.
Equitable distribution
Florida is an equity state, and equitable distribution is all about value. In a $2 million estate, for example, each party is generally entitled to $1 million in value. That does not necessarily mean splitting every single asset down the middle. It means getting the correct value to each party, which is why each asset and each liability has to be valued in order to build an appropriate equitable distribution plan.
Alimony
Florida's alimony statute uses a formula built on need and ability to pay. First, calculate the need of the person receiving alimony: their income minus their expenses. If there is a deficit, that is the need; if there is no deficit, then technically there is no need. That need is then compared to the payor's income, and 35% of the difference between the parties' net incomes is the maximum amount of alimony under the statute. The statute also limits the length of durational alimony based on the length of the marriage.
To run the numbers yourself, see our Florida alimony calculator, updated for 2026.
Child support
Florida's child support guidelines are also a formula, one that has been in place since the late 1980s. The calculation looks at alimony received, income, interest income, and all other sources of income to split the children's expenses based on each party's after-tax net income after alimony. The guidelines really only cover basic needs such as room, board, food, and clothing. Other expenses, such as private school tuition or car insurance for teenagers, have to be agreed to separately or split using each party's after-tax percentage of net income.
Everything else
The final E covers anything particular to your case that the other categories may not address, such as inheritances, dissipation of marital assets, or even simple matters like transferring vehicle titles.
When a divorce goes to trial, we follow the P.E.A.C.E. order to give the judge everything they need, in the correct order, so the court can properly rule.
More videos and resources
Subscribe to Adam's YouTube channel for new videos, and visit collaborate-florida.com to learn how collaborative divorce, family mediation, and financial consulting can help families resolve these issues outside the courtroom.
This post and video provide general information only and are not legal or tax advice. Please consult an attorney about your specific situation.
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