There are several stigmas surrounding divorce. One of the most
common is the price you pay. Although it is true that terminating a marriage is
not cheap, there are effective ways to make your divorce cost less. Continue
reading for some helpful tips on reducing the cost of your divorce.
Orlando Divorce Attorney 407-887-7058
Divorce and Finances
As if divorce is not stressful enough, there is also the
concern of one’s finances. During a divorce, there are fixed costs that can
intimidate you, such as legal fees, lawyer retainers, and division of property.
However, with the right approach, you can ensure you stay in control of your
money. The most important step you can take toward protecting your assets is to
hire a reputable Orlando divorce attorney and listen to their advice. They have
the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you preserve your financial
well-being during and following your divorce.
Helpful Tips for Cutting Divorce Expenses
☑ Be Nice
When the relationship between divorcing couples remains
amicable, the cost tend to stay in bounds. However, when there is a lot of
contention between couples, the process could drag out, and one spouse might
fight for more support or child custody limitations, all of which can make
divorce cost much more. Try to be respectful and non-confrontational to avoid
any strain.
☑ Communicate Openly
Try to keep an open line of communication with your spouse. Although
you want to consult with your lawyer prior to bringing up any important issues,
speak regularly with them on smaller and less-contentious issues to save money on
lawyer fees.
☑ Choose Your Battles Wisely
In addition to remaining amicable and communicating well
with one another, it helps to also choose your battles wisely. Put thought into
what really matters in the outcome of your divorce and what doesn’t. Apply this
forethought toward matters like property and assets division to avoid
additional pecuniary losses and legal fees. Keep in mind, disagreements lead to
more legal fees.
☑ Hire the Right Orlando Divorce Lawyer
Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice from a seasoned Orlando divorce lawyer. Our Florida family law office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking. And for your added convenience, office visits are not required for initial consultations! You can choose to have your first appointment over the phone or even video conference, if needed.
The responsibilities involved in the process of divorce are
stressful enough on their own. But when you couple in the consideration of
finances, you might be tempted to forgo certain expenses, such as hiring a
lawyer. But beware that doing so can put you at a higher risk of not obtaining the
outcome you expect, even if you and your spouse are amicable. You see, there
are many good reasons why people hire divorce lawyers. Perhaps learning these
reasons can help you better understand the importance of retaining legal representation
for a divorce, and ultimately make the best decision for yourself and your
future.
Continue reading to review some common reasons why divorcing
couples hire lawyers, and how to get in touch with a reputable law firm in
Florida.
Orlando Divorce Attorney 407-887-7058
Balance Out the Advantage
You do not want to be at an unfair advantage during a
divorce. Basically, if your spouse is going to hire a lawyer, you should too.
This will “level the playing field” so to speak, and ensure that all divorce
proceedings are equally comprehended on both sides, and fair overall.
Reduce Emotional Stress
Divorce is stressful no matter who you are and how agreeable
your spouse. A lawyer on your side will remain emotionally objective while
helping you keep your emotions in check during the process. This will prevent stress
from clouding your judgement.
Stay in Control of Responsibilities
Even though you are divorcing, the world around you does not
stop, nor does your obligation to fulfil your daily and weekly responsibilities.
Whether you have work duties, parental duties, or social commitments to tend
to, the stress of divorce will have less of an effect on how you manage these responsibilities
if you have a lawyer representing your best interests.
Protect Your Rights
Perhaps the most impactful reason why people hire divorce
lawyers is to protect their rights. You do not understand the law like a
practiced lawyer does, so you could not possibly be aware of all the rights you
are entitled to. A divorce lawyer can ensure you obtain the fullest and fairest
divorce settlement possible.
Always Ask a Trusted Orlando Divorce Lawyer
Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice from a licensed divorce attorney in Orlando, Florida. You can choose to have your first appointment over the phone or even video conference, if needed. If you choose an in-office visit, our family law office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking. We look forward to helping you resolve your family legal matters.
Whether you are on the brink of divorce, or have already
made the decision to move forward, these frequently asked questions and answers
about dissolution of marriage in Florida will help you make educated decisions
during the divorcing process, and even after it’s finalized. Continue below to
review them all.
Orlando Divorce Attorney 407-887-7058
Is Legal Separation Allowed in Florida?
Florida does not recognize legal separation of married spouses. So, state law will not support any legally-binding arrangement made between spouses, even if they ultimately do divorce down the line. Any type of separation agreement between spouses will not be taken into account when it comes time for the court to rule on child support, alimony, property division, and custody. Although legal separation is not supported in Florida, there are other legal recourses and alternatives.
How Do I Get a Divorce in Florida?
In the state of Florida, there are three requirements for
getting a divorce. First, you must show proof that the marriage took place.
Second, you must prove that you or your spouse were a Florida resident for at
least six months before filing for divorce; and third, you must prove that the
marriage is in fact, irrevocably and permanently broken.
What is Mediation? Is it the Same as Divorce?
Mediation is a common method of negotiating all aspects of a
divorce, including finances, alimony, property division, child support,
timesharing, and more. Generally, mediation involves the group effort of both
spouses and their respective divorce lawyers, as well as an appointed, neutral
third party called a mediator. During
mediation, the mediator will sit down with each spouse and their lawyer to
discuss, negotiate, and resolve all matters related to the divorce.
Does a Divorce Take a Long Time?
The amount of time it takes to complete a divorce, from the
moment it is filed to the moment it is officially in effect, depends on
countless factors unique to each case. Mostly, it depends on whether or not the
divorce is contested or uncontested. Other major contributing factors on
divorce timelines include how quickly both parties can come to an agreement on
all matters related to the divorce, the traffic of family courts, the skill of
your divorce lawyer, and more.
How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?
According to forbes.com, the average cost of divorce in the United
States is around $15,000, most of which is allocated to legal fees. Keep in
mind that this is just the average. After all, the American Psychological
Association confirms that virtually 50 percent of marriages in our country result
in divorce. Some couples pay as little as $1,000, while others have paid
millions. Attorney fees play a large part in how much you pay for a divorce,
but they are not all the same. Divorce lawyers can charge anywhere from $75 an
hour to $500 an hour. On average, you can expect a divorce lawyer to charge
around $250 an hour, but this varies among law firms, and from state to state.
Who Has to Pay Alimony After a Divorce?
Who pays the alimony depends on certain factors, which can vary
from state to state. Most often, the spouse who earned the most money through
the duration of the marriage is the person ordered to pay alimony. However,
other factors, such as the spouses’ primary roles during the marriage, the
number of dependents shared, and spousal collaboration, can also affect alimony
orders. There are three common types of alimony that can be awarded by a court
order in the process or conclusion of a divorce: temporary alimony,
rehabilitative alimony, and permanent alimony.
Who Gets Custody of the Children After a Divorce?
Who gets child custody, and the limits set forth for
visitation, all depends on the presiding judge, the state laws governing
divorce and child custody, and several other influential factors. One of the
most influential factors used by the family court system to assign custody of
children after a divorce is the determination of the primary caretaker. A
primary care-taker is the parent who customarily tends to certain basic needs
of the children, such as bathing and grooming, meal prepping and cooking, driving,
health care decision-making, basic skills teaching, educating and helping with
homework, and planning and participating in recreational activities.
Is Divorce the Right Choice For My Family?
If you are married and reconsidering your relationship, but are not ready to file for divorce, you may still have other legal options. Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice from a seasoned Orlando marriage lawyer. Our Florida family law office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking. And for your added convenience, office visits are not required for initial consultations! You can choose to have your first appointment over the phone or even video conference, if needed.
