This is the next post in my series on the possibility of a “no-fight” divorce in our state. My last article explained Florida’s simplified divorce process. This process allows spouses to complete their matter by filing a Petition with the Court and attending a hearing. Retaining an experienced attorney can help to ensure that your Petition is filed correctly and can also reduce the chances of returning to Court at a future date. In this article, I will be discussing the benefits of utilizing this process. If you are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a Melbourne lawyer.
The greatest benefit of the simplified process is that it saves time, money, and aggravation for all parties involved. If the spouses are in agreement on all issues then they may file their proposed settlement with the Court, attend a hearing, and complete the matter relatively quickly. A contested process, by contrast, can involve both sides conducting extensive discovery and incurring substantial costs in addition to legal fees. Quite often, these fees and costs are incurred over arguments that have a predictable ending. In other words, spouses often spend time and money litigating, just to reach the same outcome that they likely should have settled for in the beginning. This can be avoided by retaining counsel and taking their advice as to how the Court will likely rule and settling on those terms.
Another benefit of an agreed upon process is that it can be much better for any children who are involved. While parents often try to shield their children from the tension of a contested divorce, it is often hard to do so. Even worse, there are situations in which parents do not attempt to shield their children from these tensions. This type of tension can leave children resentful towards one, if not both, of the parents. It can also leave them with other issues which will impact their future. By avoiding the litigation process, the children can move on to their new situation more quickly.
Spouses may still streamline their divorce even if they are not in agreement on all issues. Suppose, for example, that husband and wife are in agreement on all financial issues but disagree on the issue of child custody and child support. While the parties will have to go through the contested divorce process, shortly after the case is filed, they may submit a stipulation and order in regard to the issues that they agree on. The Court will then enter an order on these topics and the only matters to be litigated, going forward, will be the issues of custody and support. How to best handle any situation will always depend on the specifics of the matter and it is important to speak with counsel.
If you are ending a marriage then contact my office today to speak with a Melbourne uncontested divorce lawyer. I am able to assist those who are hoping to complete a “no fight” process and I will provide an honest assessment as to your best options. I understand that these are crucial choices in your life. I will make sure your questions are answered and that you know what to expect from the process. If you are in need of assistance then contact us online or by telephone today. My firm also services Florida clients in the Brevard County cities of Titusville, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Grant, Valkaria, and Rockledge, as well as in the Indian River County areas of Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores, and Orchid. We are also able to virtually work with clients throughout the state.