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Guiding Clients through the Challenges of Divorce

Divorce is often accompanied by heightened emotions and complex legal decisions that can affect the future of both spouses and other members of the family. Many challenging issues may need to be addressed, such as alimony, the equitable distribution of property, child support, and parenting plans/custody.

The experienced legal team at the Law Offices of Alison M. Lopes is here to help you make the right decisions for your family. If you are contemplating or in the process of a divorce in Florida, let us guide you by offering a thorough explanation of your options and creative solutions to complex problems. We are sensitive to the legal issues that arise in divorce proceedings. Our goal is to protect our client’s property, assets, and interests in divorce.

The Process of Filing for Divorce

To initiate a divorce in Florida, one of two spouses must have resided in the state for a minimum of six months before filing the petition with the court. The party filing for divorce can file in the county where both parties last lived together as husband and wife as long as one party still lives in that county. Upon filing a Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage, you will need to serve the petition to the other party. Once the petition is served, the other person will have 20 days to respond.
An uncontested divorce is appropriate when both parties are in agreement about all the terms of the divorce. When the parties cannot agree on the divorce terms, it is considered a contested divorce, and the court orders the couple to attend mediation. Mediation is the process of having an impartial third party intervene to resolve the pending issues. Hence, the divorcing spouses reach a final agreement. If this process is unsuccessful, the parties will have to go to trial. The legal team at the Law Offices of Alison M. Lopes is knowledgeable about uncontested and contested divorce challenges.

Alimony, Child Support, and the Equitable Distribution of Property

In Florida, both parties must submit a financial affidavit to disclose all of their assets and debts. This document is critical to ensure a fair, equitable distribution of property and determine alimony and child support needs. A financial affidavit includes:

  • personal income
  • real estate
  • bank account statements
  • pension and retirement accounts
  • life insurance policies
  • outstanding loans
  • other financial assets and liabilities

Domestic Violence Injunctions

Any person that believes he or she is in imminent danger, or is the victim of domestic abuse (as defined in Florida Statute 741.30), can file a petition for an injunction through the Florida court system. An injunction is better known as a restraining order. Domestic violence is the act of being threatened, harassed, stalked, physically harmed, or the destroying of personal property by a member of the household or a person with whom you have a child in common.

An injunction can grant the abused certain rights, such as temporary child support and custody and having the abuser leave the home. Attorney Alison Lopes represents clients at injunction hearings requesting an injunction or defending against an injunction.

Seasoned and Effective Legal Representation

At the Law Offices of Alison M. Lopes, we know the pain and emotions that accompany divorce. With each client, we establish a close working relationship, emphasizing compassion and commitment. Our legal team is here to help you rebuild your life. Our goal is to make the process of contested or uncontested divorce as quick and painless as possible. Call today for a consultation.

Family Law

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