Divorce is usually a very difficult thing to get through. It fills the parties involved with a great deal of tension, strain, and anxiety. A divorce can be bitter, protracted, and expensive; or, it can be amicable, short, and inexpensive.
No matter the cause of the divorce or the nature of your relationship with your ex, it is important to look out for your interests. It is okay to be disappointed, sad, angry, frustrated, confused, and even a little frightened by what lays before you. But you cannot allow any of these feelings to deter you from fighting for your financial interests and maternal or paternal rights.
Divorce in Florida
Florida is a no-fault divorce state. All that is needed to get a divorce is for you and your spouse to agree that there are irreconcilable differences. If one of you denies that the marriage is broken beyond repair, the court may order marriage counseling for up to 3 months.
Once you have established the fact of the divorce, you will need to start planning for its aftermath. In addition to the ending of the relationship, divorce includes the breaking up of your marital estate. As a result, money, property, and other assets must be divided between you both.
In Florida, judges divide the marital estate equally, unless there is a compelling reason for an unequal distribution. The judge will consider the contributions that each of you made during the marriage, including care for children and home-making.
It is at this point that you will need the skill and insight of an experienced divorce attorney, as the division of assets and child support and alimony payments will be the most important factors in the rebuilding of your life after the divorce.
Factors in Rebuilding Your Life
How you approach this stage of the divorce depends on your financial and material condition within the marriage. Here a few things to consider:
1. Child Support and Alimony
If you are the sole or primary breadwinner in the family, you may be required to pay alimony. The latter is an extension of spousal support for a given amount of time. The court will look at the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, and the age and physical condition of your ex when considering the amount of alimony that must be paid each month and its duration.
If you have children, you may be required to pay child support. The court will examine the income of both parents and the child’s maintenance requirements. If you have been the primary breadwinner, you will likely have to pay more than your ex. The courts can also set aside the joint and separate assets of the parents in a trust for the future support of the children.
2. Getting Back to Work
If you were a stay at home parent and spouse during the marriage, then you will need re-establish yourself in the world of work. Alimony and child support from your ex may not be enough to make ends meet. And besides, it is essential that you become independent and start earning your own money again.
3. Securing Your Financial Future
Following on the last point, you must have a realistic understanding of the expenses you will have as a single parent. You want enough for you and your children to live decently. If you kept the house going and gave your former spouse comfort and support as they pursued their career, it is only right that you acquire enough of their present and future earnings to maintain that standard of living.
Why You Should Contact a Divorce Lawyer Now
If you have been a stay-at-home mom or dad, a divorce attorney will ensure that all of the particulars of your ex’s finances are known to the court. An attorney can carry out the kind of financial investigation that runs to ground every penny that your ex has earned or saved with your help.
A divorce attorney can also help if you are in a financially superior position. If your spouse has the means and connections to resume their career without delay, an attorney can limit the amount and duration of the alimony you will be required to pay.
If you are getting a divorce, you need representation. For yourself, your family, and your future, contact The Law Offices of Jonny Kousa today.
If you know that your marriage is over, if its dissolution is inevitable, you should contact a family law attorney. You should have a legal strategy, or the beginnings of one, in place before you put in any paperwork. Indeed, your lawyer can help you file for a divorce or draw up a response if you have been filed against.