This is the fifth post in my series on handling an uncontested or stipulated divorce in Melbourne, Florida. My last post discussed how poor decisions made in an uncontested divorce action can lead to further court proceedings. I provided information on when an agreed upon issue can end up the subject of litigation. I also discussed how later court proceedings can have an impact on your day-to-day life. In this article, I will discuss the importance of obtaining an attorney to assist you with the divorce process. If you require assistance, contact my office to speak with a lawyer. We handle such matters for as low as $1,499 plus court costs.
Melbourne residents should understand that a lawyer can assist them in negotiating their divorce
Pursuing an uncontested divorce may be beneficial to some Melbourne residents. For childless couples or those with a limited amount of property to distribute, a stipulated divorce could potentially be a smart option. Retaining counsel will help to ensure that you are not short-changing yourself and are in fact comfortable with the terms of your divorce. As I have stated previously, Florida residents must remain cognizant of the fact that total agreement on every issue is necessary to obtain an uncontested divorce. Unfortunately, with this knowledge comes the tendency to agree to things that are not always in your own best interest. An experienced lawyer will not only review the terms of your divorce, but will also assist you in negotiating terms that may be more favorable for your situation. It is important to note that an agreement in which both parties can be content with is the ultimate goal. This is because these decisions are often permanent and a modification could result in costly proceedings at a later date. The best course of action is to retain a lawyer before you choose to pursue any action.
An experienced family law attorney can help Melbourne residents choose the appropriate divorce option
Uncontested divorces are attractive to many couples simply because they are typically cheaper than other alternatives. This is due to the fact that the spouses have already agreed upon issues that normally would take other parties months to hash out. Nonetheless, an experienced lawyer can take the facts of your particular case and apply them to Florida’s requirements for an uncontested or stipulated action. In doing this, counsel may determine that pursuing another option would actually be more cost-effective in the long run. For instance, if you are a housewife with minor children it may not be a good idea to settle for two years of spousal support since you are probably accustomed to relying on your spouse for economic support. If something were to change in the near future, agreeing to such a term may result in future court proceedings or serious regret. Similarly, your attorney may ascertain through discussions with you that there a potential for conflict or that an agreed upon term wouldn’t be appropriate for your situation. This is why it is imperative that you contact a lawyer as soon as you begin considering divorce as an option. Even if an uncontested divorce is not viable, a lawyer familiar with the Melbourne divorce process will know what course of action would best suit your needs. Contact my office today to schedule an initial consultation and discuss your options.
My office services clients in the 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.