Here’s How You Can Get A Quick Divorce In Florida

To many people, the only thing that is worse than getting divorced is the process of getting divorced. Many individuals dread the divorce process. If you are about to get a divorce in Florida, you are likely asking yourself how you can get a quick divorce. Probably you are asking yourself this because you are worried about the legal costs or because you are worried about how you are going to cope emotionally throughout the long process. Well, if you are about to get a Florida divorce, you will be relieved to learn that it is possible to get a quick divorce in Florida. The divorce process doesn’t have to take months or years. If spouses can agree on divorce-related matters such as property division, child support, timesharing, and alimony, they can get a divorce much more quickly than in other states.  Florida does not have a mandatory separation period, so that delay is not applicable.  Further, if two parties can truly agree on all issues, the process can definitely be accelerated.

Uncontested Divorces Are Faster Than Contested Divorces

A contested divorce is one where parties cannot agree on some or all the divorce-related issues. Such a divorce will involve mediation or dispute resolution, and it may involve lengthy settlement meetings or a trial. Usually, contested divorces take much more time and are more expensive. On the other hand, uncontested divorces take less time.

If you want to get divorced quickly, an uncontested divorce will help you do this. An uncontested divorce can help you get a quick divorce, save money, and it can reduce stress. Usually, an uncontested divorce is quicker because spouses agree about all of the following;

• The division of all assets and liabilities
• Timesharing/visitation
• Alimony
• Child support
• Other issues like education and religion

If you and your spouse can reach an agreement on all divorce-related matters, an attorney can draft your divorce settlement agreement and submit it to the court for approval. Rarely will a judge refuse to approve an uncontested divorce agreement, especially if both spouses have had a lawyer draft the agreement.

In Florida, there is also an option called a “Simplified Divorce,’ wherein there is a short marriage with no children and no accumulation of marital assets and liabilities.  The filing requirement is less with regard to financial disclosure; however, both parties have to appear at final hearing to testify.  In contrast, with uncontested cases, only one party has to come to the final hearing to submit the written agreement to the Court and to testify to jurisdictional issues.

Negotiating With Your Spouse in Divorce

It would be wrong to say it is easy for spouses to agree on all divorce-related issues, especially considering the emotions that come into play when a divorce is imminent. However, help is available. You and your spouse can hire attorneys to help you arrive at mutually beneficial decisions. It is important that you have an attorney by your side when negotiating with your spouse to protect your rights and interests.

Also, you and your spouse may be able to reach mutually beneficial decisions through mediation. If you choose mediation, you and your spouse will meet a neutral third-party known as a mediator. A mediator can help facilitate negotiations, de-escalate conflicts that arise, and guide you toward mutually beneficial decisions while leaving you and your spouse to make the final decision.

When it comes to mediation or alternative dispute resolution, one crucial thing to note is that if you and your spouse can agree on some issues, those issues can be drafted and submitted to the court, and the unresolved issues can proceed to court. In this sense, even if your divorce case proceeds to court, the progress you will have made will still reduce the amount of time you will spend on your divorce.

Contact a Jacksonville Divorce Lawyer

If a divorce is imminent, it is crucial that you reach out to an experienced divorce lawyer. Contact the experienced Jacksonville divorce lawyers at The Lasky Law Firm to schedule your consultation today.

Resource:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/0061PARTIContentsIndex.html