Requirements for Divorce in Florida
Posted on Dec 31, 2014 9:27am PST
There are certain procedures to be followed in order to obtain a
divorce. During this process, a couple must come to agreement on numerous factors,
including
alimony,
child custody and
visitation,
child support, and
property division. When going through a divorce, hiring a Jacksonville divorce attorney
can ensure that your rights are always protected, regardless of whether
it is a contested or uncontested divorce.
First, proper grounds for divorce must be established for the dissolution
to even be possible. Either both parties must agree to recognize the irretrievable
breakdown of the marriage, or it must be shown that one spouse is mentally
incapacitated.
Next, one of the spouses needs to have been living in the state of Florida
for at least six months before filing the petition. The dissolution of
marriage form can be filed in the county where either or both spouses live.
A separate set of requirements is involved for obtaining an uncontested divorce:
- Neither spouse may have minor or dependent children under 18 years old
- The wife may not be pregnant
- Both spouses must agree to the division of assets and liabilities
- Neither spouse wants alimony
- Both spouses agree to give up the right to a trial or appeal
- Both agree that they do not need to provide any additional financial information
to each other
- Both must appear at the court clerk's office to sign the petition requesting
the dissolution
- Both spouses must attend a short court hearing
Contested Divorce Issues
If the divorce is contested, that is, the parties are unable to reach an
agreement on all points, the two will go to divorce court to settle the
outstanding conflict.
Florida is an equitable distribution state, meaning the court will do its
best to distribute all marital property fairly. This includes personal
possessions, real estate, income, and debts acquired during the course
of the marriage.
If one spouse has a financial need and the other has the ability to pay,
the court can also order alimony to be paid for one of the spouses. The
court considers all relevant factors to determine how much should be paid.
The court can apply similar measures if children are involved and if they
need support from one spouse. In determining custody and support, the
court tries at all times to look to the child's best interests.
For further information about the divorce process in Florida,
call Hutchinson Law and speak with an experienced Jacksonville divorce lawyer.