In our Florida family law practice, we take family law cases personally. When it comes to representing you and your family there is nothing more important than ensuring you are protected in all circumstances. Many times, especially in family law cases, our clients do not know where to start. We are here to help and provide expert guidance on a wide range of Florida family law issues.
Often, many of the questions we are asked surround the divorce process. These include, but are not limited to, how do I know I need a divorce? When do I start? What will be the impact of these proceedings? What do I need to know first? We also have clients who want to know the difference between traditional divorce and collaborative divorce. Let us provide you with an overview of this information right here in our blog.
To begin, traditional divorce involves the statutes and regulations governing the process of dissolving a marriage or a civil union. The laws in Florida generally cover the important topics for the couple such as property division, spousal support, child custody and support, as well as the reasons, or grounds, for divorce.
It is important to point out that divorce can be granted on the basis of “no-fault” of either party. This means neither spouse has to prove the other did something wrong in order to obtain a divorce. There may still be legal requirements to be met, however, before a divorce can be granted.
By contrast, collaborative divorce involves the divorcing couple working together. This can, and should, include their own experienced Florida family law attorneys reaching a mutually acceptable settlement of all issues related to their divorce. The main goal of collaborative divorce is to avoid the need for court intervention and to minimize the emotional and financial costs of divorce.
In most collaborative divorce cases, each spouse has their own Florida family law attorney who is trained in the collaborative process. The spouses and their attorneys sign a participation agreement, which sets out the terms and conditions of the process. The agreement typically provides that the spouses will work together in good faith to reach a settlement, they will be open and honest in their communications, and they will disclose all relevant information to each other. In addition to their attorneys, the spouses may also work with other professionals, such as divorce coaches, financial specialists, and child specialists.
If the spouses are unable to reach a settlement through the collaborative process, they may still pursue traditional litigation. The collaborative process, however, is designed to encourage cooperation and compromise. In this proceeding, clients may be able to reach a successful resolution without going to court.
We know this blog may raise more questions than it answers. In your first meeting with our firm, we can cover this information and so much more. At the Law Offices of Suzanne St. Luce, P.A., our staff is qualified to offer a wide range of legal services. Our attorney has over 20 years of experience and we want to help you with your case. We take all cases… Personally. Please contact us for questions related to your specific situation.