Jupiter Divorce Lawyer
In prior decades, when a couple wanted to legally end their marriage, they were required to prove that one of the parties was at fault for the union’s failure. Fortunately, this is no longer required in Florida, where couples can get divorced as long as they both agree that their marriage is irretrievably broken. This, however, is only the beginning, as married couples won’t officially be able to finalize their divorces until they have grappled with a number of related issues, like property division, alimony, and if the parties share children, child custody. For help with your own divorce, consider contacting an experienced Jupiter divorce lawyer today.
- Alimony
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Divorce Appeals
- Enforcement
- Paternity
- Relocation
- Same-Sex Divorce
- Timesharing
Standard Divorce Proceedings
There are two main types of divorce in Florida, the first of which is known as a Regular Dissolution of Marriage. This type of divorce starts when someone files a divorce petition with the court and requests what he or she wants in terms of property division and alimony. The other spouse has 20 days to respond to the petition, addressing the matters contained in the initial petition. Both parties will need to provide full financial disclosures within 45 days of the service of the petition.
These proceedings can either be uncontested, where both parties reach an out-of-court agreement on the division of marital assets, alimony, and child custody, or contested, meaning that the parties don’t agree on the terms of the divorce. Those who do reach an understanding will need to sign a formal agreement and present it to the court. Spouses who cannot agree, on the other hand, will be required to attend a number of hearings, where both will present evidence to the judge, who will be tasked with coming up with a settlement agreement on the parties’ behalf.
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage
The other type of Florida divorce is known as Simplified Dissolution of Marriage proceedings. These kinds of divorces tend to be resolved much more quickly than other dissolutions, often in as little as a month. However, only certain couples are eligible for these truncated proceedings, including those who:
- Agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken;
- Have no minor children;
- Agree on the division of all property and debts;
- Are not seeking alimony; and
- Have lived in Florida for at least six months.
It’s important to note that in regular dissolution proceedings, spouses have the right to examine and cross-examine each other and have the ability to obtain evidence regarding the other party’s income, assets, debts, and expenses before trial. With a simplified dissolution, financial information can be requested, but disclosing it isn’t necessary. Simplified dissolutions also tend to be resolved more quickly, with couples often only required to attend a single hearing.
Contact Jupiter Divorce Lawyer Caroline Olson, P.A. Today
If you are considering divorce and have questions about your rights and obligations, don’t hesitate to contact experienced Jupiter divorce lawyer Caroline Olson, P.A. at 561-288-0548 for help. Initial consultations are offered free of charge, so feel free to call or contact us online today.
