What Are My Rights in a Florida Divorce?

Counsel from a Knowledgeable Tampa Divorce Lawyer

Divorce is a legal process of dissolving the marriage contract between two people and dividing all their common affairs. You should understand your rights before you begin the divorce process. Under Florida law, if you or your spouse has lived in the state for at least six months, you can file for divorce locally. Some individuals represent themselves in the proceedings, but a large number exercise their right to hire an attorney to advise them and speak on their behalf in divorce mediation, divorce litigation and any other negotiations. This choice has the potential of sparing the person a large amount of the friction that often occurs in face-to-face meetings between divorcing spouses.

Fighting to Protect Your Rights

Whether mother or father, every parent has equal rights under the law to seek goals concerning appropriate visitation, child custody and others. The court takes into account a wide variety of information on both parents such as financial income and well-being, emotional stability, lifestyle and others to make the best possible decision for any and all children involved. If you have an existing child custody or support agreement, you do have the right to contest that agreement in a modification. Non-custodial parents have the right to contest a relocation request by the custodial parent. All parents have rights when it concerns decisions that will affect the life of their child.

Legal Protection of Your Rights

The court will attempt a fair and equitable property division, with respect to non-martial assets and liabilities. You can make an argument to the judge that you deserve to be awarded a greater share of the marital property, based on a set of criteria that are laid out by law. You can also make a request for spousal support, if you feel you are entitled to financial contribution after the marriage. Another right you can exercise is to challenge any plan of child custody that is proposed by your ex-spouse or by the judge. If you feel that the plan would unfairly restrict your access to the children, you may be able to persuade the court that you deserve to be awarded custody or even that the other parent is unfit to care for the children. A Tampa divorce lawyer from our firm can answer all your questions about divorce and help you assert your rights to make sure that you achieve a fair settlement that you can live with into the future.

Divorce Attorney in Tampa, FL

In every aspect of your divorce, the court will rule in the direction of an equitable settlement between you and your former spouse. You have the right at any time in the process to argue in your own favor, in order to sway the opinion of the judge. You will need skilled representation to make a convincing case that what you want, regarding any point of contention.