Florida Divorce Lawyer

• Premarital agreements
• Paternity
• Interstate custody disputes
• Child custody
• Child visitation
• Child support
• Property distribution
• Marital settlement agreements
• Contested and uncontested divorces

Services of Florida divorce lawyer

The initial step in the process of divorce is to file a petition for dissolution of marriage. The partner who begins the divorce process is referred to as a Petitioner. One who does not begin this procedure is called as the Respondent. The respondent receives service of the petition and is expected to file an answer to it within 20 days. If the respondent fails to do so, a default may be entered. After filing of the answer of the respondent is done, it is mandatory as per the law of the state that both partners ought to exchange some information and documents that are utilized in preparation of the trial. This is also helpful to the court to judge some aspects of the case like –

• Equitable distribution
• Alimony
• Child support
• Custody
• Visitation

After filing of the needed papers and documents is over, the case is ready for trial. The length of this trial depends on the complexity of the issues and amount of proof presented. It may extend from a few hours to a few weeks. The intent of the law is to make provision for a fair resolution of concerns and at the same time prevent unnecessary exposure to public of private issues.

What a Florida divorce lawyer can do with respect to alimony?

The courts in the state have been allocated the authority to grant alimony to either partner. This spousal support may be temporary (rehabilitative) or permanent. However, there are 2 crucial factors while deciding the alimony.

• Need
• Ability to pay

The partner who demands the money has to furnish evidence that there is really a need of money and the other partner is economically strong to pay the requested amount. To conclude what would be a fair alimony award, the court considers several factors like –

• Different sources of income both the parties have
• Contribution of each party to the marriage
• Duration necessary for both partners to have adequate training or education to be suitably employed
• Marital and non-marital liabilities and assets of each partner
• Age, emotional state and physical state of either partner
• Duration of marriage
• Standard of living in married life

Florida is referred to as a “no fault” state. Here, in order to obtain a divorce or dissolution of marriage, it is not essential for the applicant to furnish evidence that the spouse has done something erroneous. As a matter of fact, courts have been given the authority to grant a divorce although the other partner does not agree to have a divorce.

Conditions for divorce

There are two conditions to be fulfilled to be granted a divorce in this state.

• Prior to filing the petition for dissolution of marriage, one of the partners must have resided in this state for at least 6 months
• One of the partners must testify under oath, that the marriage has been irretrievably broken

Divorce Papers