Filing For Divorce In Florida? Avoid These Mistakes
Making the decision to divorce is overwhelming. Even if you expect your divorce to proceed fairly amicably, you will still find the process emotionally and financially difficult. The challenge of the divorce process can lead many people to make some mistakes that hurt themselves, and their legal case. Below, our Tampa divorce attorney and family law lawyer outlines some of the most common mistakes made, and how to avoid them.
Delaying the Process
After making the decision to end your marriage, try to move through the divorce process as quickly as possible. While you should take the time necessary to make informed decisions, creating unnecessary delays will hurt everyone. Your divorce will cost you more in the end and it will be harder on your mental and emotional health. Identify your goals early on in the process so you can remain focused, and provide your attorney with any documents they request as quickly as possible. This will help avoid delays in your case.
Taking Advice from Non-Professionals
You will likely receive a lot of advice from friends, family members, and other well-intentioned people. However, you should remember that this is your divorce, and you are ultimately the one who will have to move forward with your life afterward. Lean on your loved ones for emotional support, but do not make decisions on the anecdotes and advice they provide. Leave that to your Tampa divorce attorney.
Not Preparing for Surprises
Divorce will uncover many things about your marriage and your spouse. If you are unprepared for surprises, such as the fact that your spouse was wasting marital funds, the process will only become more emotional. Expect that you will encounter surprises along the way so you can be prepared to adjust and take any steps necessary based on new information.
Not Closing Joint Accounts
As soon as you make the decision to divorce, you should start separating your life from your spouse’s as much as possible. This includes closing joint bank accounts and removing your name from their credit card account. These steps will help ensure that you are not responsible for any new debt your spouse accumulates. However, you could still be responsible for debt your spouse makes on his or her own, as debt acquired during the marriage under either’s name is considered marital property. Filing for divorce is essentially the only sure way to show demarcation between what is marital and what is not.
Failing to Create a Financial Plan
Divorce will drastically impact your finances. Begin planning for this as soon as possible by preparing a budget and for saving as much money as you can. You may need to find a new place to live, be responsible for paying child support or alimony, and incur other expenses. It is also sometimes a good idea to speak to a financial planner who can help you set realistic goals for yourself and create a budget that will work for you in the future.
Not speaking to a Divorce Attorney in Tampa
The law on divorce in Florida can become complicated. The last thing you want to do is hurt your case by trying to go through the process alone. At All Family Law Group, P.A., our Tampa divorce attorney can help you navigate the process, advise you of the law and how it impacts your case, and work to uphold your best interests at all times. Call us now at 813-672-1900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more. Se habla Español.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/0061.html
