Divorce is never easy. It is a decision that will have lasting consequences on your life for years to come, which is why it should never be taken on alone, without the aid of an attorney. Here at the Florida Divorce Law Group, our Miami divorce attorneys are committed to achieving your goals, whether that means coming to the most desirable agreement regarding division of assets amicably, or fighting tooth and nail for child custody before a judge. While litigation is somewhat rare in family law matters, you and your attorney need to be prepared to take unresolvable disagreements to court. Our Miami divorce lawyers have a strong record in and out of the courtroom, and we are confident that we can deliver the results you need to move on with your life.
Florida Divorce Matters We Handle
Divorce can be relatively straightforward and uncontested, it can be an incredibly complicated, multi-year-long process with a high degree of conflict, or it can be somewhere in between. No matter what your situation entails, you need to work with an experienced Miami divorce attorney to ensure that your interests are protected along the way. Here at the Florida Divorce Law Group, our Miami divorce attorneys handle all of the following types and aspects of divorce:
- Uncontested Divorce;
- High-Net-Worth Divorce;
- Division of Assets;
- Alimony Modifications;
- Child Support;
- Child Support Modifications;
- Custody Modifications;
- Child Relocation;
- Father's Rights/Paternity;
- Prenuptial Agreements;
Division of Marital Assets
Around 800,000 couples get divorced annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One of the most common contentious aspects of divorce is the division of property. While a couple who has only been married a few years may not have many marital assets, two people who have been married for decades are likely to have very few personal, non-marital assets. Marital assets are any assets that are acquired during the marriage. They may include:
- Checking accounts;
- Savings accounts;
- Retirement accounts;
- Stocks and bonds;
- Real property (a house or a condominium);
- Vehicles;
- Business assets;
- Jewelry; and
- Debt such as medical loans and mortgages.
All of these marital assets are subject to division during the marriage. Florida follows the doctrine of equitable distribution of marital assets. This means that the above assets (and debts) will be divided fairly, though not necessarily evenly. Marital assets are divided based on a large number of factors, including the length of the marriage, the age and health of each spouse, the contributions (financial and non-financial) that each spouse made to the marriage, and much more. Non-marital assets, on the other hand, are not subject to division during divorce. Non-marital assets are any that were owned before the marriage began, as well as inheritances, gifts made specifically to one spouse, and in some cases personal injury verdict awards or settlements.
Child Custody and Child Support
The other most common area of conflict regarding divorce surrounds the married couple's children. Around 20% of married couples have minor children, according to Reuters. Child custody disputes are among the most distressing times in a divorce, particularly when one parent wishes to move away to another city or state with the children, or when one parent attempts to take full legal and physical custody of the children. Child support, which is paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent, is also of serious concern in many divorcing couples. It is important for the primary custodial parent—the parent who does most of the child care and whom the child lives with the majority of the time—to receive maximum child support to pay for food, education, healthcare, toys, clothing, childcare help, and everything else that is required to raise a child. On the other side of things, paying a large monthly sum, which is sometimes in addition to alimony, can create a heavy burden for the non-custodial parent. Issues such as job loss and having to find new housing after divorce can add to the financial troubles of the non-custodial parent. Whether you are the custodial or non-custodial parent, our attorneys will seek a child support resolution that is in your best interest.
What Not to Do in a Miami Divorce
One of the many benefits of working with an attorney during your divorce is the counseling that a skilled divorce attorney will be able to provide for various high-conflict situations. How you act and what you say during the divorce process can have a serious impact on the outcome of asset distribution, child custody, and alimony. We understand the pressure, stress, and downright depression that individuals face during divorce, which can lead people to make unwise decisions in the heat of the moment. An attorney can help take much of this weight off your shoulders, and help you avoid some of the common mistakes below:
- Secretly tracking your spouse's movements with a phone locator or hidden vehicle GPS device;
- Cutting off your spouse's access to bank accounts or credit cards without warning or communication;
- Without telling your spouse or seeking permission, taking your children out of state or going into hiding from your spouse;
- Posting disparaging remarks about your spouse on social media;
- Badmouthing your spouse in front of your children; or
- Making outbursts or crude comments during mediation, arbitration, or in front of the court.
Discuss Your Case With an Experienced Miami Divorce Attorney
Whether you have asked for a divorce from your spouse already, or you simply have questions about the divorce process and how an attorney can help, we are here to take your call. It is always in your best interest to work with an attorney during divorce, whether it is amicable or high-conflict. An attorney will be able to ensure the fair distribution of marital assets, make a convincing argument regarding alimony and child custody, and ensure that your and your child's best interests are listened to when it comes to child support. The experienced Miami divorce attorneys at the Florida Divorce Law Group are here to help. Call us today at 1-866-240-0730 to schedule a free consultation.