St. Augustine Divorce Lawyer

Trust Griffin Family Law, PLLC When You Need a St. Augustine Divorce Lawyer Who Will Fight for You

You should be able to turn to an accomplished lawyer for guidance and support when dealing with a challenging situation in your marriage or family that has led to divorce. Griffin Family Law, PLLC’s staff will be there for you every step of the way to guide you through the legal procedure.

Contact a St. Augustine divorce lawyer at Griffin Family Law, PLLC to arrange a consultation if you live in St. Augustine and need a reliable family law counsel. We can assess the relevant facts in your case together and start down the path to a just and fair conclusion. Our office number is 904-980-8043, and you can also contact us via our contact page.

Filing for Divorce in St. Augustine, Florida

When there are children, pets, or other contentious assets like a home or car involved, getting a divorce is sometimes one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. This stress can also get worse if friends or relatives don’t support your decision. However, you must act in your own best interests, which occasionally entails leaving a failing marriage.

Divorce is referred to as a dissolution of marriage in Florida. This will end the marriage for any married couple and distribute their assets and debts. The question of alimony may arise if one spouse cannot support themselves. If there are children, the issues of child custody and maintenance will be decided.

You or your spouse must have resided in Florida for at least six months in order to petition for divorce there. If your spouse lives in Florida, you should file your case in the county’s Circuit Court. File in your county if your spouse does not reside in Florida.

The Simplified Dissolution Procedure available in Florida can be finished in as little as three weeks. If there are no minors or dependent children involved, if you and your spouse agree on how to divide your assets and debts, and if you and your spouse both sign the required court documents and appear at the final court hearing, you may qualify for the simplified procedure.

Either a Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage or a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage may be filed in the Circuit Court as a first step. You and your spouse will be required to appear in court for a hearing under the streamlined process. To ensure that you understand and agree to everything, the judge will ask you a few questions before entering a Final Judgment Dissolving Marriage.

There is also the idea of “grounds” to consider. Having grounds allows you to dissolve your marriage and end your union lawfully. There are no-fault grounds for dissolution in Florida. Either the Respondent must be deemed mentally incompetent or the marriage between the parties must be irretrievably shattered, according to the Petition. In Florida, these are the only reasons for dissolution.

There are other additional aspects of Florida divorce law that come into play, including property and asset division, alimony, child custody, and child support. Your best option is to contact a St. Augustine divorce lawyer who can examine your particular situation and guide you through the divorce filing procedure.

FAQs About Filing for Divorce in Saint Augustine, Florida

In Florida, who may petition for divorce?

You must substantiate your Florida residency if you wish to get a divorce. In the six months immediately preceding the filing of your divorce proceedings, either you or your spouse had to have resided in the state.

What reasons exist under Florida law for divorce?

You must have a valid reason for leaving your marriage before you can petition for divorce. Florida is a no-fault state, meaning you cannot get a divorce because of your spouse’s immoral behavior, such as infidelity or cruelty.

Does Florida require separation before filing for divorce?

No. Before filing for a dissolution of marriage in Florida or receiving their final divorce decree, couples are not required to live apart. Of course, a lot of couples going through a divorce decide to split up before the divorce is final. You might want to think about whether it would be in your best interests to leave the family home while going through a divorce if you were considering this choice.

Does it matter whose name is on a property’s title when distributing assets in a divorce?

Whether your name appears on the property’s title is not a factor in determining whether an asset qualifies as marital property for the purposes of property distribution. But it could be important to assess if a non-marital asset has changed from being separate to being marital.

How expensive is filing for divorce in Florida?

You will typically have to pay a filing fee when you submit your dissolution petition to begin the divorce procedure. In Florida, these fees vary from county to county, although they often cost $400 or less. You might request a waiver of the filing fee and other court charges if your income is extremely low. The price of divorce will vary depending on the particulars of your case in addition to court costs.

In Florida, how is child support determined?

The state of Florida’s court may require either of the parents to contribute money toward the maintenance of the couple’s minor children. The state of Florida has established standards for calculating child support. The guidelines are based on several factors, including the parents’ income. The cost of the children’s health insurance, daycare or after-school costs, and the price of private education are other components of child support. You can estimate these charges with the aid of a lawyer.

What is fair distribution?

The division of the parties’ assets and liabilities is known as equitable distribution. When your marriage is dissolved, marital property will be fairly distributed between you and your spouse. A disproportionate distribution that favors one party over the other may be fairer in some situations. Instead of being a joint owner of all the assets after your divorce, equitable distribution will leave you with a post-divorce estate that is comparable in value to your spouse’s.

What is marital property?

Any asset earned or debt incurred during a marriage, either individually by one spouse or jointly by both, usually up to the day the divorce petition is filed, is referred to as marital property. This includes, but is not limited to, houses, land, businesses, retirement accounts, stocks, stock options, bonds, notes payable, trusts or partnerships, automobiles, gifts, collections, etc. This also includes assets held in trusts or partnerships.

What should I do to prepare for my divorce?

We advise you to acquire records about your marital assets, debts, and income, especially the latest three years’ worth of tax returns, to be ready for a Florida divorce. Obtain copies of all relevant documents that detail assets, costs, and the flow of income over the previous year, including bank statements, canceled checks, investment account statements, credit card statements, loan applications, and more. Your chances of keeping the expense of the divorce low and hastening the resolution of your divorce increase the more precise financial information and supporting evidence you can give your lawyer.

Turn to a St. Augustine Divorce Lawyer That Can Support You and Offer Counsel During This Difficult Time

Divorce is often the most trying situation a family will ever face. Griffin Family Law, PLLC has assisted families going through the divorce process from many socioeconomic, cultural, and racial backgrounds.

Our dedication to making your family law procedure as easy and pleasant as possible while assisting you in making the best decisions for your family’s future is what motivates us. You should hire a divorce lawyer who recognizes your family’s values and requirements. Our family law attorneys in St. Augustine are committed to protecting your family as if it were their own. This enables us to design a successful solution for you.

Griffin Family Law, PLLC’s staff is dedicated to offering knowledgeable legal counsel to St. Augustine citizens. Our lawyer can help you with any issue relating to your family law case because they have experience in all areas of family law. Our family law attorneys can assist you in your case whether you are beginning legal action or need assistance with a Florida family court hearing that is currently underway.

Our St. Augustine family law practice also provides nothing less than devoted and outstanding legal guidance. Our skilled lawyer will defend your rights as well as the rights of your family. Our divorce attorneys thus present well-considered, practical options. Additionally, we act in your best interests and resolve your divorce in the best way possible.

Get in touch with a St. Augustine divorce lawyer from the Griffin Family Law, PLLC team by calling 904-980-8043 or by filling out a request for a free consultation.