The Divorce Center was conceived and started by Attorney Howard Iken. The official start date of our firm was May 1, 2005. On that date we opened our doors in a building near the courthouse in New Port Richey, Fl. People visiting the office noticed one very odd thing – The Divorce Center office appeared to have room and desks for many different people. But there was only one occupant: Attorney Howard Iken. Asked what he was going to do with the space, Mr. Iken replied: “I am going to fill this office with people and eventually help people all over the State of Florida with divorce and custody problems.
Over the next four years, the vision of our founder has taken shape. The Divorce Center opened up an office in the New Tampa area just one year later. Attorney Allison Belcher joined us and became our key person in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.. We also opened up an office in Clearwater. Kristal Knox joined us to help provide adequate coverage in all of our offices, including Pinellas County.
The additional attorneys will help spearhead our expansion in the Clearwater and St Petersburg areas.
In the beginning of 2009, we were proud to announce the acquisition of a new building in the Hyde Park area of South Tampa. This building would be home to two of our attorneys and one paralegal. Staff was redistributed and New Port Richey became a major hub, with two attorneys and two paralegals. The Clearwater office and Wesley Chapel offices were redesigned to accommodate local clients as-needed. An we laid plans for further expansion – responding to the needs of clients throughout Tampa Bay and the State of Florida.
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Fast forward to Fall, 2009. The Divorce Center had begun to service clients in Manatee County and Sarasota . Soon after that Attorney Jennifer Schulte joined us to help clients in the Central Florida Area.
In 2012 we purchased a new building in Orlando, Florida. Jennifer Schulte was given the responsibility of building our organization in Central Florida – to service clients in Orange and Osceola Counties.
We were are also excited to announce in 2012 El Centro de Divorcio – a spanish version of The Divorce Center – run by Attorney Alberto Ayo.
Attorney Erin Duncan joined us in our Central Florida office and helped expand our outreach to multiple Central Florida Counties including Lake and Citrus.In 2012 we were proud to announce a reorganization of the firm. Attorney Alberto Ayo joined Howard Iken to form a new partnership that included The Divorce Center and El Centro de Divorcio.
Our most recent transition was accomplished in 2013. Attorney Alberto Ayo became a partner in the firm, and we changed our name to Ayo and Iken PLC.
Through outreach to the community Ayo and Iken PLC continues it’s expansion throughout the State of Florida. Our slogan is “Knowledge is Power.” We put this principle in practice through our several hundred page website, free informative seminars, and our question and answer forum. We are excited to provide this critical and needed service to clients in the State of Florida.
Thank you for reading about us. We hope you enjoy the information on this website and wish you good fortune in this critical phase of your life.