Coming to the realization that it is time for a divorce is likely one of the most difficult decisions that you will ever make. The fact is that even in the best of circumstances divorce can be a painful process, which is why you should not make this time any harder on yourself by trying to handle your divorce alone. Working with a divorce attorney can not only help ensure that you have someone by your side to walk you through this challenging time, but it will also ensure that someone is looking out for your best interests.
At Miamidadefamilylaw.com, our divorce and family law attorneys know how complicated and overwhelming the process of filing for divorce is, particularly if you have assets that you need to protect. This is why it is essential that you partner with an experienced divorce attorney in Miami-Dade County, Florida. An attorney can help guide you through the process of filing for divorce while helping you make informed decisions that will protect your children and your financial future. Working with an attorney will give you the best chances of success as you start your new life after marriage.
The Importance of Working With a Divorce Attorney
As you start the process of filing for divorce, you may be tempted to handle this process alone in an attempt to save time and money. However, trying to file for divorce on your own can quickly leave you feeling overwhelmed as you try to deal with complex legal documents you may not fully understand. Not only can this eat up a great deal of time, but it could also leave you vulnerable to making mistakes that could impact you, your family, and your financial stability for years to come.
It is then critical that you are properly represented by a knowledgeable and experienced divorce attorney. Divorce lawyers are legal professionals who have specific knowledge and experience regarding a wide variety of divorce-related legal issues from the dissolution of marriage to negotiating visitation schedules. Working with an experienced divorce attorney is then critical, as they will be able to help you handle important issues that must be addressed during the divorce process including:
The Division of Property
While each couple’s situation is unique, the division of property and assets is often the most complex (and contested) part of the divorce process. This is particularly true of couples who have been together for a long time and have amassed a large portfolio of assets together. Thusly, the contentious nature of dividing property in a divorce should be reason enough to work with an attorney. An experienced divorce lawyer can look out for your best interests and make sure that you and your spouse’s assets (and debts) are being divided in a fair and equitable manner.
Determining Custody
If children are involved, child custody issues can be another contentious issue when finalizing a divorce. Both parents will want to ensure that they get to see their children as much as possible, and they may even fight over who gets primary custody of the child/ren. However, in order to make this process as easy as possible for everyone (including your children), time-sharing negotiations need to be handled tactfully. Working with a Miami child custody attorney is the best way to ensure that your children’s best interests are looked after while also helping to guarantee that you are able to spend time with your children.
Negotiating Child Support
Before the divorce can be finalized, it must also be determined how much child support each spouse will be required to pay. Whether or not you will have to pay child support, and how much you will have to pay, will depend on a variety of factors including how much disposable income each of you has. However, working with a divorce attorney will ensure that the amount of child support you pay/receive each month is fair and will meet your children’s needs.
Alimony
Alimony is a subject that can be hard for people going through a divorce to deal with, as no one wants to have to continue giving their spouse money after their divorce is finalized. Whether or not alimony will be awarded following a divorce often depends on how long a couple’s marriage lasted and the earning ability of each spouse. If you are concerned that you will have to pay alimony following your divorce, it is crucial that you work with an attorney. An experienced divorce attorney can help minimize the amount of alimony that you are required to pay.
Grounds for Divorce in Florida
Like many states, Florida does not have a fault-based divorce system. This means that you do not have to assert fault on the part of your spouse in order to get a divorce. As a no-fault state, only two grounds for divorce are recognized under Florida divorce law. A marriage can be dissolved either due to mental incapacity or due to an irreparable breakdown in the marriage, with the latter being the most common grounds cited for divorce in the state. Since no fault must be proven in order for a marriage to be terminated, one party has to simply allege and testify that there are irreconcilable differences in their marriage that cannot be resolved.
Choose an Experienced Miami Divorce Attorney You Can Trust
As you start the process of getting divorced, you will have a lot of personal matters to tend to, and you may be tempted to save time by choosing the first divorce attorney you talk to; however, this may be a mistake. It is crucial that you take the time to find a divorce attorney with the right experience to meet your needs, as this can help make the process of filing for divorce as stress-free as possible.
At the Miami family law attorneys of Miamidadefamilylaw.com, we know that divorces can be tricky and can quickly take a toll on you and your family. However, our knowledgeable and experienced divorce attorneys are here to support you doing this difficult time and make sure that you have someone looking out for your best interests as you work toward dissolving your marriage peacefully. Feel free to contact us for a consultation or to learn more about the importance of partnering with an experienced attorney when going through a divorce.
