What Are The Common Reasons for Delays in Florida Divorce Cases?
When going through a divorce, it is natural to want the process to be over with as quickly as possible. Things between you and your spouse may be very contentious, and you may feel a great deal of anxiety over the outcome of child custody, alimony, and other issues. The last thing you want is for delays to arise in your case that will make it take even longer. Unfortunately, there are certain delays that you may not be able to avoid in your divorce case. Below, one of our Tampa divorce attorneys what these are.
A Combative Spouse
Even when people are at the center of a divorce dispute, it does not mean they will be cooperative. If your spouse has refused to respond to your communication, hidden property so it is not subject to property division, or changed attorneys in the middle of the case, it might be because they are trying to delay your case from being finalized for as long as possible.
Sadly, there is nothing you can do about the actions of another person. To avoid any further delays, however, it is important to remain as transparent and honest throughout the process as possible. Additionally, make sure that if your lawyer asks for documentation or any other information, that you provide it as quickly as possible. This can help your case move forward without any unnecessary delays.
The Case is Contested
Uncontested divorces are those in which the couple can agree to all the different terms of the divorce. Due to the fact that there are no disputes, these cases can proceed quite quickly and be resolved within approximately three months. If a couple disagrees on even just one term, the case becomes contested. If a contested divorce requires litigation, it will take much longer to resolve. Mediation and collaborative law are two other ways to resolve the terms of a divorce that are much quicker.
The Waiting Period
People sometimes make the mistake of thinking that once they file for divorce, the case can be finalized almost immediately. In fact, this is not true. Even if you and your spouse can agree to all the different terms and file an uncontested case, it will not be immediately resolved. The waiting period in Florida is 20 days from the date the divorce is filed with the court. This means that even if you have drafted an agreement with your spouse and proceedings are fairly smooth, your divorce cannot be finalized until the waiting period has passed.
Our Family Law Attorney in Tampa Can Help
If you are filing for divorce, or your spouse already has, it is critical to speak with a Tampa family law attorney today. At All Family Law Group, P.A., our Tampa family law attorney can provide the legal advice you need and ensure there are no unnecessary delays so you can move forward with your life as quickly as possible. Call us today at 813-672-1900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help with your case. Se Habla Espanol.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/0061.html
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html
