How to File for Divorce in Naples, Florida

How to file for divorce in Naples Florida

Divorce is so much more than just a difficult emotional decision. It is also a difficult legal and financial decision that can have an impact on various aspects of your life. The decisions you make during your divorce can affect how your assets and debts will be divided, where your children will live, your retirement plan and your savings and investments. If you are thinking about filing for divorce in Naples, Florida, you may want to speak to a divorce law firm like Long & Associates, P.A. today.  Our divorce law firm can evaluate your situation, help you understand your legal options and rights, and assist you in developing the best strategy moving forward. The decisions you make during your divorce in Florida can impact your family for years to come.  Getting proper legal counsel before you agree to a divorce settlement or before you finalize your divorce may be wise.

Regular vs. Simplified Dissolution of Marriage in Florida

In Florida, there are two ways you can file for divorce: by using Florida’s regular dissolution of marriage process or by using the simplified dissolution of marriage process. Dissolution of marriage is the term used by the courts to describe divorce. Couples who agree about all aspects of their divorce and those who do not have children may be able to use the simplified dissolution of marriage process. While it is possible to file for a simplified dissolution of marriage without the assistance of a lawyer or attorney, before you choose this option, it may still be wise to speak to a Family Law Attorney. Couples who file for a simplified dissolution of marriage process in Florida surrender certain rights, including the right to cross-examine witnesses and the right to receive disclosures about each married party’s assets, liabilities and finances. If you are a high-net worth individual or if you have substantial property, debts, or assets, a simplified divorce may not be the best option for you.

Who can file for a simplified divorce? According to the Florida Bar, couples can file for a simplified divorce if both parties agree to proceed with the simplified divorce, if there are no minor or dependent children in the marriage, if neither party is pregnant, if both parties agree about how to divide their assets and debts, if neither party wants alimony, and if both parties agree that the marriage is over.  In order to file for a simplified dissolution of marriage, one party must have resided in Florida for at least six (6) months prior to filing for divorce in order to meet Florida’s residency requirements.

However, if you and your partner have children, if you have significant assets or debts and need to make decisions about how these assets will be divided, or if you need assistance with the divorce process, a regular dissolution of marriage may be best suited for you. During the regular dissolution of marriage process, both parties are required to make financial disclosures.  If you plan to seek alimony, the regular dissolution of marriage process should also be used. Finally, with the regular dissolution of marriage process, both parties can go to court to resolve their differences about how to divide assets, property, and debt.

Divorce can have major implications for your financial life. Even if you think that you and your partner agree about how to divide assets and even if you qualify for a simplified divorce in Florida, it is highly recommended that both parties seek legal counsel before finalizing their divorce or even before filing.  Do you have questions about whether a simplified or regular dissolution of marriage procedure is right for you?  Do you have questions about how to divide assets and debts during your divorce, and your legal rights regarding these matters?   If so, reach out to Long & Associates, P.A., a divorce law firm in Naples, Florida today. Our attorneys can review your situation, help you understand your legal rights and options under the law, and assist you with the next steps. You are not alone. Long & Associates, P.A. may be able to help you.

Other Factors That May Need to Be Considered in Your Florida Divorce

If you and your partner have children, you’ll need to make decisions about where the children will reside and how major decisions for the children will be made. It will need to be determined whether one parent will have the majority of the parenting time or you will have equal parenting time.  There are also decisions about child support and related support issues such as extracurricular activities that need to be resolved.  Some of the most challenging aspects of any divorce can be those that involve parenting time and support.  This is why it is important to have a divorce and child custody lawyer on your side, helping you understand the law and your rights under the law. Long & Associates, P.A. is a divorce law firm in Naples, Florida that works closely with individuals during this understandably difficult time to help them get the best possible divorce settlement permitted under the law. Reach out to Long & Associates today or connect with Long & Associates, P.A.  to schedule an appointment with one of the Family Law

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