Divorcing In Today’s Economy: What Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Need to Know

For many divorcing couples in Fort Lauderdale, their home is one of their most valuable assets. When it comes to equitable division, fluctuating housing prices and mortgage interest rates are an important factor to consider. Our Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer explains the current challenges in dividing a home in Broward County and outlines your legal options.

Challenges That Impact Equitable Division Of The Family Home In Fort Lauderdale Divorce Proceedings in 2025

Under the Florida Statutes, all marital property in a divorce gets divided between the couple on an equitable basis. The family home is one of the most valuable items subject to these proceedings.

A March 2025 Forbes report warns that home prices and mortgage interest rates will continue fluctuating over the year. This creates challenges when dealing with a marital home in Fort Lauderdale divorce proceedings:

A sluggish housing market due to high mortgage and interest rates may make it harder to sell your home;
If one spouse wants to keep the home, refinancing at currently high mortgage interest rates could result in significantly higher monthly payments;
A single income may not be enough to qualify for a refinanced mortgage, especially if you have other pressing financial obligations, such as alimony or child support payments;
If the home was purchased when rates were lower, the equity may be substantial, but refinancing or selling may not be financially favorable under current market conditions.

Options for Handling Your Marital Home in a Fort Lauderdale Divorce

Property division is one of the most important issues to address in a Fort Lauderdale divorce. In addition to your own preference, the needs of your children, and your post-divorce budget, consider currently high housing costs and mortgage interest rates when making your decision. Options available include:

If neither spouse wants or can afford the home, selling it and splitting the proceeds is an option, but capital gains taxes may be an issue;
If one spouse wants to buy out the other, they can refinance the mortgage or negotiate other assets in exchange, but high interest rates in 2025 could make this more difficult;
Agreeing to joint ownership for a set period, such as while your children are young, can provide time for the market to stabilize but often presents other obstacles;
If maintaining your old home or purchasing a new one is too costly, consider renting post-divorce, at least until housing prices and interest rates drop.

To Protect Your Rights, Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer Today

Division of marital property is a significant issue when getting a divorce in Fort Lauderdale. 2025 housing market conditions and high interest rates create unique challenges when dealing with the family home.

To protect your rights and interests, get the caring, personalized legal service you need from the law office of Vanessa L. Prieto. We help you navigate divorce confidently and provide the trusted guidance you need to make the best decisions for you and your family. Contact us today to request a consultation with our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer.

Source:

forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/real-estate/housing-market-predictions/