Brandon Divorce Lawyer > Brandon Divorce

Brandon Divorce Attorney

Divorce is simply a fact of life these days. People marry with the best of intentions, but many partners come to find they are incompatible after months or years of living together as a married couple. There is no longer any social stigma attached to divorce, and if the marriage isn’t working out and can’t be saved, dissolving the marriage is not only an option, but it’s probably the right thing to do. Brandon divorce attorney Stephanie Koether of Koether Law, P.A., can advise you, assist you, and represent you in your Hillsborough County divorce proceeding. From negotiating a marital settlement agreement to resolving issues through mediation or litigation, Koether Law is by your side with advice and representation tailored to your personal needs. Call our office in Brandon if you are considering divorce or if you’ve been served with a summons and complaint.

How Divorce Works in Florida

The technical term for divorce in Florida is “dissolution of marriage.” Florida has abolished “fault” grounds for divorce such as adultery, abuse or abandonment and only recognizes no-fault divorce. Either party can file for divorce provided they can demonstrate that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” This is usually not a difficult burden to meet.

To file for divorce in Florida, either party must have been a resident of the state for at least six months before filing the petition for dissolution. The petition can be filed in the county where the couple last lived together or where either party is currently residing. The petition is the legal document filed with the court that shows you meet the residency requirement and that the marriage is broken. It will also include what you are asking the court to do besides grant the divorce in regards to issues such as custody, support or property division.

The spouse filing the petition arranges to have a copy served on the other spouse who then has 20 days to file an answer or counter-petition detailing what that spouse wants to get from the divorce. If the responding spouse fails to answer, the filing spouse can get a default judgment in his or her favor.

Next, each party is required to make financial disclosures to the other party within 45 days to assist in ironing out matters such as the division of property or the payment of alimony. If the couple has minor children, they will need to come up with a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule as well.

If the parties can agree on issues such as the distribution of marital property, custody, and support, they can submit their agreements to the judge who will review them and incorporate them into the divorce. If the parties don’t agree, the judge will order them into mediation. At mediation, a trained neutral third party will help them iron out their differences and come to agreement wherever possible.

If mediation does not resolve all outstanding issues, the parties will proceed toward a courtroom hearing. At trial, each party will be able to introduce evidence, examine and cross-examine witnesses, and make legal arguments to the judge regarding how the court should rule.

How Koether Law Can Help

In the final judgment of divorce, besides dissolving the marriage, the judge will issue enforceable court orders regarding the division of marital property, alimony, child custody and child support. These orders can last for years and can only be modified or terminated by going back to court and proving a change in circumstances that would justify a modification. Therefore, it is important to get the right orders in place from the start that meet your needs and your children’s needs without unfairly disadvantaging you. Koether Law, P.A., is your advisor, advocate and representative in this process. Whether negotiating a settlement, mediating a dispute, or litigating at trial, our Brandon divorce lawyer has the knowledge and skills necessary to see that you get a fair shake in all matters related to your divorce and that your needs and goals are met.

Koether Law helps individuals in Brandon with all types of divorces, from simple to complex. We assist clients with uncontested divorces, including simplified dissolution where applicable, as well as complex high-asset and high-conflict divorce cases. Our goal is to solve problems, not make your divorce any more difficult or complicated than it needs to be. Above all else, however, we take a personal interest in your case and strive to provide you with the utmost personal attention, so that we fully understand your needs and are always acting in your best interests.

Get the Support You Need With Your Brandon Divorce

For help with divorce in Brandon, whether you are considering filing a divorce petition or have been served with divorce papers from your spouse, call Koether Law, P.A. at 813-347-8193 for a no-cost consultation. Call today to find out how we can help you move forward to a new and better phase in your life.

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