Basic Knowledge for Filing for Divorce in Florida
Divorce is often one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life. Whether your marriage ends suddenly, or over the course of a tumultuous decade, you must be prepared to make some tough decisions before you and your soon-to-be-ex can part ways.
First, you must consult with an attorney. An experienced divorce lawyer in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice, can carefully review the details of your situation and lay out a plan of action that reduces conflict while helping you achieve your objectives. Even if you and your spouse are heading towards an amicable separation, a lawyer can help ensure that the process unfolds smoothly and in a timely manner.
Prior to filing for divorce in Florida, you should be aware of the following guidelines:
- Residency – If you would like to file for dissolution of marriage in the Florida, either you or your spouse must have lived in the State of Florida for at least six months.
- Simplified dissolution of marriage – To obtain a simplified divorce, you must meet certain criteria in addition to the residency requirement, including no children under 18, no dependent children, no pregnancy, and no alimony. In addition, you and your spouse must fully agree to the terms of the divorce and that your marriage is irretrievably broken.
- No fault divorce – Florida is a no-fault divorce state. This means that if you wish to divorce your spouse, you need not show infidelity or any other cause for the separation. Instead, you must only show that your marriage is irretrievably broken or that your spouse has been mentally incapacitated for three years. Behavior such as cruelty or infidelity may only be considered briefly when the court decides on issues such as parental responsibility and time-sharing.
- Paperwork – Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, you will need to fill out certain forms.
Navigating the family court system can be difficult on your own. With the help of a dedicated family law attorney, you can sidestep pitfalls and move on with your life.
Experienced Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice, Florida divorce lawyer to advocate for you
Since 2000, the Law Offices of Matthew Z. Martell, P.A., has provided families in Sarasota County and Manatee County with attentive and knowledgeable divorce support. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a skilled divorce lawyer today, Contact the Law Offices of Matthew Z. Martell, P.A. at (941) 556-7020.
