No one says “I do” with the intention of divorcing down the road. Divorce can happen to anyone for any number of reasons. Sometimes two people know it’s over long before divorce proceedings are initiated. Other times, one party may be blind-sided. No matter what the internal struggles in the relationship, there are some definite do’s and don’ts in a divorce that applies to men and women. Continue reading
Divorces can be nasty. Feelings of sadness, depression, anger, and frustration may be heightened among families. You may be concerned about your future. How will you begin a new life without your life partner? Where did you go wrong? Why is this happening to you?
Children may feel confused and lonely. And to make matters worse, you may be in a position to lose valuable assets that you have worked tirelessly for before and during your marriage. This stressful moment in your life does not have to be handled alone. Allow an experienced business and divorce attorney to protect your property and assets during this stressful time.
When two people wed, they often make vows to live, love and protect one another. What is not always explicitly stated during these festive ceremonies is the concept “what is mine is yours.” In other words, marriage often involves sharing and mutual ownership of financial assets and responsibilities (i.e. paying taxes). During a divorce, assets are measured and often distributed among both spouses. There are, however, technicalities to this rule.
Prenuptial agreements make divorces much easier. These contracts are drafted and signed before a couple weds. They specify the assets that are owned by each spouse and how these assets will be distributed in the event that the marriage fails. In most cases, prenuptial agreements leave each spouse with what they had before they married. Once both spouses sign the agreement, the contract becomes legally binding. The rights and responsibilities outlined in the contract guide the divorce process.
For people who do not have prenuptial contracts to protect their financial assets and liabilities, family courts will weigh non-marital property and marital property.
Here is where it becomes tricky.
If you are going through or considering a divorce, you should contact a trustworthy business and divorce attorney who will help you identify what you feel you are entitled to and collect information on:
This will make your divorce process less tedious later down the road.
Divorces can be messy but they do not have to be. Whether you feel that you are not gaining the compensation that you deserve after years of investing in a person and/or business, or whether you believe that you are significantly losing your hard-earned assets and property, a reliable business and divorce attorney can help.
At the Law Office of Theodore H. Enfield, we are proud to serve South Florida, including the areas surrounding Hollywood. We are well-versed in family law and divorce law. For over 35 years, we have been advocating for equal distribution of marital assets, debts, and property. We will protect your interests during this significant time in your life.
Let us help you.
In a proceeding for legal separation in Florida, the court may grant alimony to either party. Before you sign any documents or make a verbal agreement to your partner, consult an experienced alimony lawyer. Theodore Enfield has more than 35 years of experience in family law and divorce issues, including spousal support (alimony), and understands the many facets of creating and modifying spousal support agreements.
Ask a Spousal Support Lawyer What You Need To Know Before You Divorce
If you are going through a divorce, consult with a spousal support attorney before signing any papers. You may be responsible for paying alimony, or you may be eligible to receive alimony. A qualified spousal support lawyer like Theodore Enfield can help guide you through the many steps of getting a divorce and calculating the correct amount of alimony.
Spousal support refers to payments made to a spouse in order to help him/her achieve financial independence and stability after a divorce or legal separation.
Alimony is a court provision that requires a spouse to make payments to the other spouse after a divorce or legal separation.
In many states, spousal support and alimony are used interchangeably. However, alimony is commonly used in court systems. Both are meant to protect the financial well-being of spouses after the dissolution of marriages. To learn more about alimony and child support, you should contact an alimony lawyer at the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield.
There are many factors that family judges take into consideration when determining the amount of alimony payments and whether alimony is necessary. In the state of Florida, the court considers:
In other words, family courts aim to ensure that each spouse is able to return to a lifestyle of financial stability that is similar to the economic state before the divorce. If the alimony award is unable to meet such standards, the court will entertain other ways to distribute assets equally.
In Florida, there are different types of alimony that the courts may grant depending on your situation.
Bridge the gap alimony provides transitional assistance from being married to being single. The length of an award may not exceed two years. It is not modifiable in the amount of duration.
Rehabilitative alimony is awarded to assist a party in establishing the capacity for self-support through the redevelopment of previous skills or credentials or the acquisition of education training or work experience necessary to develop appropriate employment skills or credentials. There must be a specific and deferred rehabilitation plan.
The purpose of durational alimony is to provide the party with economical assistance for a set period of time following a marriage of a short or moderate duration or following a marriage of long duration if there is no ongoing need for permanent support. The length of durational alimony may not exceed the length of the marriage.
As soon as you are aware that you will be getting a divorce, you should contact an experienced family law attorney in Hollywood immediately. Divorces are often accompanied by emotional distress which contributes to lengthy, even difficult divorce proceedings. For couples who earn significantly different amounts of income and play different roles within the household, alimony and/or spousal support may be necessary. However, many spouses do not believe in alimony and thus, present evidence and other useful information to deter family courts from requiring alimony payments. Because of these reasons, it is absolutely pertinent that you contact a Hollywood divorce lawyer to assist you with the overall process of requesting alimony.
For help in determining which type of alimony fits your unique situation, contact our Hollywood office where an experienced divorce attorney at the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield in Hollywood, FL can assist you
