Family Law in St. Cloud: Important Things to Know About Divorce

Family legal matters tend to be some of the most highly contested and stressful cases because there is so much at stake. This field of law covers a wide range of topics, including things like divorce, child custody, and adoption. Below, we will learn a bit more about these areas of law, why you should work with an attorney specializing in family law in St. Cloud, and how to find one that will work well for your needs.

What You Should Know About Divorce

Divorce is unfortunately common, and it happens to a lot of couples. Even though you don’t get married with the intention of getting a divorce, you can’t predict what the future will bring. Below are some of the things you should know regarding divorce in the state.

To be eligible to file for divorce, you or your partner need to have lived in the state for at least six months before filing. The only exception to this would be if you are a member of the military and you live in Florida but are stationed outside of the state. The divorce paperwork needs to be filed in the county of residence of either of the spouses.

Florida, like many other states, offers no-fault divorce. This means that you don’t need to provide any reason for the divorce other than that the relationship is over.

What Is Alimony?

When getting divorced, it may be possible that one of the parties is entitled to alimony, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, the alimony might be rehabilitative. This means that it is temporary and is only used to help the person get back on their feet when they are going through a divorce. It could be beneficial for someone who did not work while they were married, for example.

There is also the option of permanent alimony. This is not as common, but it may be ordered by the court. It could also be put into an agreement between the spouses. For example, one spouse might agree to provide their ex with a certain amount of alimony for several months, years, or permanently. There may be other stipulations in the agreement, as well, such as what will end the alimony. The recipient getting remarried is a common trigger for stopping alimony, for example.

Judges have a lot of discretion when it comes to awarding alimony. If you believe you may be entitled to alimony, or that you may have to pay alimony, you will want to speak with your attorney.

Are Modifications Possible?

In some cases, after a divorce has been finalized, circumstances will change. You might find that health issues or financial capability changes, which means the current child support payments, alimony, or parenting plans may not work well any longer. In those cases, you can’t simply decide to pay less or not at all. You need to have a modification to the agreement.

Either party can apply to the court for a modification order that better represents the current circumstances. Talk with an attorney about the proper way to approach these situations.

You Should Work with an Attorney

Although there might be the temptation to attempt to DIY your divorce cases, this tends to be a bad idea for many reasons. For starters, you do not have the knowledge of the law on your side if you aren’t an attorney. Although you can research and look up a lot of information, you don’t understand how all of it works in a practical sense in the courts. There is a chance you could fill out paperwork incorrectly, turn paperwork in late—or not at all—and cause a host of other problems.

To reduce the risk of easily avoidable issues with your case, you should always work with an expert. Choose an attorney who has experience with cases like yours.

Of course, one of the main reasons you will want to work with a St. Cloud family law attorney is the peace of mind you will have. Going through these types of legal cases is often frustrating and frightening.

If you are trying to handle things on your own, you will often be worried you’ve done something wrong or that you have made a mistake. When you have an attorney handling your case, they can help to put you at ease.

Find a Great Family Law Attorney for Your Case

Knowing that you should work with an attorney rather than trying to handle these cases on your own is one thing. You also need to find attorneys who have the knowledge, experience, and empathy to help with your family law cases. One of the best ways to find a compatible attorney is by getting in touch with Orlando Law Group. Call (407) 512-4394 today to learn more.