Tampa Contested Divorce Lawyer
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A contested divorce takes place when the parties do not agree on the terms of the divorce.
While contested divorces are often more costly and lengthy than uncontested divorces, they are sometimes in the best interest of one or both parties.
A contested divorce often proceeds as follows:
- The petitioner files the Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage with the appropriate Florida court
- The respondent is notified of the Petition and is given time to respond
- If the couple does not agree on one or more aspects of the divorce, mediation may be required
- The couple may meet with a mediator in order to reach a compromise
- If middle ground is reached through the process of mediation, the mediator may help the couple file for an uncontested divorce
- If the couple cannot reach middle ground even through mediation, a trial will be scheduled
- Multiple hearings may be required for separate issues such as alimony, child custody, and property division
If you are considering getting a divorce, it is critical to speak with a Florida divorce attorney as soon as possible.
Equitable Distribution in Florida
In Florida, state law requires the equitable distribution of property and assets in a divorce.
While many people assume that this means that property and assets must be divided equally, this is not necessarily true. Florida law only requires that property and assets be divided fairly.
How property is divided is based largely on how much each spouse contributed to the marriage. A judge may choose to award the spouse that contributed more to the marriage, either financially or through homemaking, with certain property or assets.
For example, equal distribution of assets may require the marriage home to be sold and the resulting funds to be split equally between both spouses.
However, with equitable distribution, a judge may choose to award the marital home to the homemaker in order to provide the children with a stable home environment, while awarding the other spouse property or assets of equal or fair value.
If you and your spouse do not agree on certain points of your divorce, it may be beneficial to proceed to divorce litigation.
Only an experienced divorce lawyer can help you determine whether pursuing litigation is in your best interests.
Contact Tampa Family & Divorce Lawyer Mindi Lasley Today For More Information
If you are considering getting a divorce or are in the middle of divorce proceedings, it is critical that you are adequately represented by a Florida divorce attorney.
Without high-quality legal guidance, you stand to incur significant losses throughout the process of your divorce.
Mindi Lasley is a divorce attorney with the expertise and resources to provide you with step-by-step legal representation in order for you to obtain the best possible results from your case.
Divorce attorney Lasley is committed to offering each of her clients with comprehensive legal support, and she will always let you know where you stand. She will inform you of what your legal options are and how best to move forward to protect your rights and best interests.
Contact Tampa Family & Divorce Lawyer Mindi Lasley today for a consultation to discuss your case by calling (813) 873-9047. We are available now to speak with you regarding your legal needs.