PREMIUM
Matthew J Ausley

Matthew J Ausley

Flat fees for all Family Law cases.
  • Divorce, Family Law
  • Florida
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Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII GoldSocial MediaResponsive Law
Biography

I started a Divorce law firm called Good Life Legal. If you can't tell from the name, we are a little bit different. Here's how:

1) We charge flat fees - this means you know exactly what representation will cost on day 1. Would you hire someone to build you a house and pay them by the hour? Neither would we. So, why would you hire an attorney that way?

2) We move quickly. We are motivated to finish just as quickly as you are.

3) We focus on Divorce - this means we spend time on basically one thing, Divorce. Our focus helps us be more efficient at what we do.

If you have questions, we would love to talk to you. Please give me a call: 850-362-7228 or send me an e-mail: Matt@GoodLife.Legal. If you send me an e-mail, make sure to say you got my e-mail from Justia. That way I won't delete it thinking it is SPAM.

Education
Florida Coastal School of Law
J.D. (2014) | Law
cum laude; Student Ambassador; Research Assistant
Florida Coastal School of Law Logo
Asbury College
B.A. (2004) | Business Management
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Professional Experience
Founder/Attorney
Good Life Legal
- Current
Partner
Anchors Smith Grimsley, PLC
-
Attorney
The Critzer Law Firm
-
Intern
U.S. District Court
Intern
Holland & Knight
Speaking Engagements
Divorce Attorney Rules for Keeping a Marriage Together, Creating Unstoppable Relationships Summit
Awards
Client Reviewed 4.9/5.0
Martindale-Hubbell
Very Good Rating
Avvo
Above and Beyond Service
FCSL Student Ambassadors
Professional Associations
Jacksonville Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce
Member
- Current
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The Florida Bar  # 0117362
Member
- Current
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Walton County Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Okaloosa Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Niceville Young Professionals
Member
-
Activities: Chairman
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Florida
The Florida Bar
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Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Flat Fees
Practice Areas
    Divorce
    Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
    Family Law
    Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Languages
  • English
Legal Answers
Q. He is taking job out of state, how will it affect my case if I file for divorce? The children and I will not be moving.
A: Just because you don't have money for an attorney doesn't mean you can't get some money for one. The court can make him contribute to your attorney's fees. Some Family Law attorneys will sometimes take cases with little or no up-front payment if they believe that an award of attorney's fees is likely in a case. So, calling around to local Family Law firms could help you to find a firm that might consider that with you.

Next, it sounds like you don't have much debt, so borrowing some money might be an option for you. Most firms accept credit cards. That could be enough to at least get you started. Credit unions are the best places to get money. Try a local one.

Finally, get a job, reach out to family and friends, get creative. It is amazing how much money you can put your hands on when you are properly motivated. You can do this. Go make it happen. Now is the time to become independent.

As far as the relocation goes, if he moves before you file for divorce, it will be a lot more difficult for you to keep the children in the state. If you file before he moves, he will have to request and get approval from the court to move with the children. So, just the simple act of filing is going to erect a major hurdle for him.

Best of luck.
... Read More
Q. when we got divorced we were ordered to sell the house. he house was a marital residence. Deed was in both of our names,
A: In addition to enforcement, a partition action may be an option. It is impossible to know based on what is written here, but this is going to require an attorney anyway. Get a consultation with an attorney, and they should be able to tell you fairly quickly whether a partition is an option.

If you can get a partition, that would resolve this. The strong public policy in Florida is to force the sale of jointly owned property. So, it may be relatively easy to get this one resolved. One way or the other, an attorney should be able to fix this one for you. This is solvable. Best of luck.
Q. If a person has an active indigent status and is fighting for paternity, can they receive free attorney representation?
A: Legal aid services for family law cases are almost nonexistent. So, the chances of getting the help of an attorney for free are basically nonexistent. There are reasons that attorneys are expensive. If people could get services for free, lawyers wouldn't stay in business. These are cold hard facts of life that, frankly, suck.

However, there are things you can do. First, ask the court to have the mother pay some of his attorney's fees. If she has the ability, the court can make her contribute. Also, download the Florida Supreme Court Family Law Forms, complete the necessary forms, set hearings, and move your case forward. If you can get the required forms filed, set it for trial. Do your best with what you have. You can DIY a paternity case. It will be hard, and you probably won't do a good job, but it's better than nothing. This guy can turn his life around, get a job, make some money, and come back to court with a lawyer on another day. You guys can do it. Good luck. ... Read More
View More Answers
Websites & Blogs
Website
Good Life Legal's Home
Blog
Good Life Legal's Blog
Videos
In Divorce litigation, most attorneys bill by the hour. I used to bill this way, but I never liked it. I switched to fixed-fee billing because I thought it would... Fixed-Fee Basics

In Divorce litigation, most attorneys bill by the hour. I used to bill this way, but I never liked it. I switched to fixed-fee billing because I thought it would...

Florida Divorce Attorney Matthew Ausley discusses some of the basics about domestic violence injunctions and how they relate to divorces. Whether you are facing a DVI or filing for one,... An introduction to domestic violence injunctions, DVI.

Florida Divorce Attorney Matthew Ausley discusses some of the basics about domestic violence injunctions and how they relate to divorces. Whether you are facing a DVI or filing for one,...

Florida Divorce Attorney Matthew Ausley talks about people behaving badly and getting arrested during the pendency of a divorce. Do people get arrested during divorce?

Florida Divorce Attorney Matthew Ausley talks about people behaving badly and getting arrested during the pendency of a divorce.

Sometimes people think that the judge doesn't like them personally. In this video we discuss why that is rarely true. While it is true that judges are people too, they... Does your family law judge hate you?

Sometimes people think that the judge doesn't like them personally. In this video we discuss why that is rarely true. While it is true that judges are people too, they...

In this video we cover the basics of calculating the non-servicemember spouse's portion of a military pension in a divorce. The formula used to calculate a spouse's entitlement to a... How to divide a military pension in a Florida divorce

In this video we cover the basics of calculating the non-servicemember spouse's portion of a military pension in a divorce. The formula used to calculate a spouse's entitlement to a...

We discuss how you can help your attorney in a Florida Divorce. Preparation and communication are very important. You will be working with your attorney. Attorneys do need help from... What can you do to help win your Divorce?

We discuss how you can help your attorney in a Florida Divorce. Preparation and communication are very important. You will be working with your attorney. Attorneys do need help from...

In this video, we talk about what makes a person a good client and how you can help your attorney win for you. It may surprise you, but your attorney... What can you do to win your Florida divorce?

In this video, we talk about what makes a person a good client and how you can help your attorney win for you. It may surprise you, but your attorney...

One of the most common questions people ask about divorce is, What Does a Divorce Cost?

One of the most common questions people ask about divorce is,

In this video we are discussing what it is like to go to trial in a Florida divorce. What is it like to go to trial in a Florida divorce?

In this video we are discussing what it is like to go to trial in a Florida divorce.

Here, we talk about some things you might look for when selecting a divorce attorney. What should you look for in a Florida divorce attorney?

Here, we talk about some things you might look for when selecting a divorce attorney.

What will we be discussing in a consultation? Do you need to prepare for a consultation? What do you need to bring? Give us a call if you want to... What to expect in a consultation for Florida divorce.

What will we be discussing in a consultation? Do you need to prepare for a consultation? What do you need to bring? Give us a call if you want to...

In this video, we talk about venue. Venue is a legal term we use to refer to the county in which a lawsuit, like a divorce, is filed. Sometimes, deciding... Where should you file for divorce in Florida?

In this video, we talk about venue. Venue is a legal term we use to refer to the county in which a lawsuit, like a divorce, is filed. Sometimes, deciding...

Matthew J. Ausley, Esq., talks about who gets the family pet in a divorce. Can you get custody of a pet in a Florida divorce? How does the court treat... Who Gets the Cat or Dog in a Florida Divorce

Matthew J. Ausley, Esq., talks about who gets the family pet in a divorce. Can you get custody of a pet in a Florida divorce? How does the court treat...

Contact & Map
Good Life Legal *By Appointment Only*
10151 Deerwood Park Boulevard
Building 200, Suite 250
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Telephone: (904) 999-4010
Monday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 6 PM (Today)
Wednesday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 1 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Good Life Legal *By Appointment Only*
Pensacola Office
13 Palafox Place, Suite #1048
Pensacola, FL 32502
Telephone: (850) 362-7228
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 12 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: We are located in the Cowork Annex building.
Good Life Legal *By Appointment Only*
Crestview Office
114 East Cedar Avenue, Suite #201
Crestview, FL 32536
Telephone: (850) 362-7228
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 12 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: We are located in the Courthouse Suites building.