What to Discuss With Your Divorce Lawyer

You’ve decided that your marriage is no longer worth saving and divorce is the only answer.  This is undoubtedly a sad but common situation. After all, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce.

In any case, this may be your first divorce. As a result, you may be overwhelmed or simply not very knowledgeable about the process. How do you proceed? What matters need to be discussed?

While your lawyer will guide you through the process and help you understand the topics that will need to be ironed out during the divorce process, be prepared to discuss the topics outlined below.

Property Division

Property division is the biggest issue in a divorce. This is especially true if the couple is wealthy or there are significant assets involved. Who gets the marital home? How are the cars to be divided? How will money be split up? A lot of the answers depend on what type of state you are in. There are community property and equitable distribution states. Florida is an equitable distribution state, which means property is divided fairly between the parties. This often means a 50/50 split, but could be 60/40, 70/30 or some other split based on the contributions of each party.

Child Support/Custody

Child custody and support are two topics you’ll want to discuss with your lawyer if you have children. These two topics are related, since the custodial parent is usually the one who receives child support from the other parent. This financial support, however, is for the child’s expenses, not for the parent to spend as they please. There are specific guidelines for calculating child support, and it is based on the state in which you live as well as the non-custodial parent’s income.

However, the amount of support is also based on the child’s needs. For example, children with medical issues or those who participate in extracurricular activities will require more money to support.

In terms of custody, there are two main types: physical and legal. Physical refers to where the children live, while legal custody is the ability to make decisions for the child relating to health, education, religion and other aspects. Joint custody means that both parents have an active role in their child’s life. In certain cases, a judge may award sole custody.

Alimony

Florida offers various forms of alimony for one party in a divorce. Depending on your financial situation, you may be eligible to receive alimony from your ex-spouse.  Your standard of living, length of marriage, education level, ability to support yourself and other factors will be taken into consideration. In some cases, long-term or even permanent alimony may be available.

Seek Legal Help

Divorces involve many aspects, so it’s important to have everything covered when ending a marriage. Having the right lawyer on your side can ensure that everything goes smoothly and you get a favorable outcome.

You don’t have to deal with a divorce on your own. Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can help you resolve all your divorce-related matters.  Call 954-764-4330 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation today.

Resource:

huffpost.com/entry/5-topics-you-need-to-disc_b_12686692

https://www.ejj-law.com/bezos-divorce-final-both-jeff-and-mackenzie-rank-among-richest/