When a divorce is inevitable, you will probably face all sorts of questions, such as “What comes after?” and “What will happen to me?” Questions like these will fill your mind, revolving around your well-being now and your future.
That said, one of the most frequently asked questions after a divorce is, “Who owns what? It can involve anything from the real estate you have and the assets you accumulated together even the pets. Some of these assets you may have owned before the marriage, while others you may have acquired afterwards.
In this article, we will tackle this question, mainly focusing on real estate, and help you understand who should own what after the divorce.
Real Estate and Divorce in Florida
Of all the things you may own, real estate may well be the most valuable asset you have. Ownership of real estate is especially common after marriage, where both partners help to purchase a home together.
Unfortunately, when it comes to divorce, dividing real estate presents a severe challenge. That is because, with a divorce, partners typically will no longer stay together in the same property. However, if both want to hold ownership of the real estate, conflicts and problems will arise.
In Florida, real estate, along with other types of assets (and liabilities), are divided in various ways. The Court can leave both parties as equal owners and equally obligated on the mortgage, or if there are children, the Court can award the custodial parent exclusive use of the home but leave the ownership as joint and equal. The Court will also put many other factors into consideration. For instance, they will review the incomes of both parties, what needs both parties may have, how many children are present in the marriage, and so on. The list can go on and on, depending on the case. Regardless, the court will carefully consider these various aspects to ensure a fair division.
There are some cases where the court, doing their best to create a fair and equal division of post-marital assets, will maintain discretion over what will happen in the end. For example, if you have children, the court would do whatever it takes to ensure your children will enjoy a life of safety and consistency. In such a case, the parent whop has custody of the children gets possession of the home to take care of their kids.
However, such a solution will only be possible if the youngest child has not yet graduated from high school. Beyond this timeframe, the home will likely be sold, and the money earned will be divided between both parents.
That said, selling the property will ultimately depend on both partners and how they come into agreement. For example, if both parties agree to selling the home and dividing the money, that will be the likeliest scenario. Both parties can also agree to give ownership of the house to one parent along with the responsibility to pay the debt on the home.
Conclusion
Divorce can be a trying time for any family. With so many challenges to overcome, one can easily be overwhelmed with the things they have to do, not to mention the emotional hurdles they need to tackle as well.
Division of property and any other assets or liabilities can be extremely complex, taking weeks, months or even years to settle. To ensure that you enjoy a smooth and fair divorce proceeding, we always recommend working with an expert divorce attorney. They will guide you through the different aspects of the divorce to help you understand what is going on, what will happen, and what you can do to reach a fair decision.
We offer attorney services for divorce, criminal, DUI and more. If you are looking for a divorce lawyer in Jacksonville, contact us today.
A divorce is always a troublesome event for any family that has to go through it. While some go through it relatively smoothly, others face trouble—sometimes even facing threats and fights before the divorce is finalized.
If you are thinking about going through a divorce, you may have plenty of questions in your mind. For example, you might be wondering how many assets you will be able to keep, whether it be a fifty-fifty split or whatever it is that is agreed to. This is one of the common questions that is repeatedly asked by individuals facing a divorce—and for a good reason too.
In this article, we will tackle as many questions as possible to help you decide once and for all if you want to go through with a divorce.
1. How long does a divorce take?
There is no set time as to how long a divorce procedure will take to complete. After all, many factors can shorten or lengthen the entire process.
Generally speaking, an uncontested divorce will be completed much faster, finishing in as quickly as three months or less. “Uncontested” means that both parties are quick to agree to circumstances, making the procedure finish quicker. On the other hand, contested divorce takes a lot more time because one or both parties disagree. In this case, it can take several months or even longer, depending on how long it takes for the parties to finally resolve the divorce.
2. How many assets am I entitled to?
In many cases, assets and liabilities will be divided equally to you and your former spouse. However, there are still factors that can change this number. For example, only marital property, which are assets accumulated during the marriage, will be distributed. Pre-marital items, assets accumulated before marriage, will be generally awarded to their respective owners.
3. How will child support be calculated?
Many factors will be considered when calculating child support from both parents. This can include the individuals’ income, health insurance and day care costs, and how many overnights a parent spends with the children. There is no fixed number, so expect to run through plenty of calculations to find the right number.
4. How long can the children stay with either parent?
In many cases, the time spent with both parents can be equal, meaning fifty-fifty. However, various factors will be considered to play a role in how long a child will stay with either parent. Some factors brought by the law or even the judge’s discretion can affect the outcome of the case.
Conclusion
Divorce is time-consuming, expensive, and draining for anyone and everyone that is affected by it. It is something that, unfortunately, happens too often.
If you are dealing with a toxic relationship, a divorce might be the answer to your problem. That being said, do take the time and effort to fix things up first, whether to talk things out with your spouse or find help. If nothing improves, we hope we have answered the questions above to help you finally decide whether you want to go through with a divorce.
The Dorsey Law Firm offers top Jacksonville family law attorneys to help individuals gain a fair and just divorce trial that benefits both them and their spouses. If you are looking for professional and reliable lawyers to help you through with your divorce, contact us today!
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to leave a lasting impact on people’s lives worldwide, affecting employment, finances, health, and even legal cases. Divorce proceedings, in particular, have taken a back seat, as the nature of these were considered as non-urgent—meaning many of such cases were deemed to wait till the pandemic eased up.
With things moving towards normalcy, newly divorced couples are now finding a way to fit the entire situation to make ends meet. However, separated couples figuring out how to pay for child support and alimony are struggling because of the onslaught of the coronavirus. Adding to that are their other financial problems, like paying for their insurance, loans, rent, and other dues.
Luckily, if you’re living in Florida, you may request a motion for temporary relief based on your financial condition. Keep reading below to find out more about it.
Types Of Motions For Temporary Relief
For people who are going through a divorce, either party may file a motion for temporary relief to obtain child support, alimony, visitation and attorney’s fees until the proceedings are settled. The Court can file the following temporary motions:
Motion For Temporary Child Custody
A motion for child custody grants you the power to gain temporary custody or visitation given your situation during your divorce settlement.
Motion For Temporary Child Support
You can file for a motion for child support to aid your child’s finances temporarily and pay for their basic needs and expenses.
Motion For Temporary Alimony
You can seek to obtain a motion for alimony to cover your alimony payments. The court has the power to grant you temporary relief if you are in a challenging financial situation.
Motion For A Restraining Order
A motion is granted by the court to prevent your ex-spouse from coming close to you, mainly if they are abusing you. Due to their aggressive and unnecessary behavior, you can get a motion for a restraining order.
Motion To Remove Children
If your ex-spouse is threatening you regarding taking away your children, you can ask for a motion to stop them from doing what they want without your consent.
Motion For Exclusive Use Of Marital Home
A motion for the exclusive use of your marital home grants you the legal authority to stay and live in your home while the divorce case is on-going.
Motion To Freeze Assets
You can acquire a motion to stop your ex-spouse from taking over any marital asset and prevent them from either selling them off or keeping them for their own benefit. These include bank accounts and investments.
Motion For Attorney’s Fees and Costs
Filing For A Motion For Temporary Relief
To be granted a motion for temporary relief, you must follow some specific procedures.
To start with, our law firm will need to accomplish a motion describing your situation and why you should be given temporary relief. It will be necessary for you to includ all private information regarding your finances and fill out a financial affidavit. You will also need to give the other party your monetary documents to indicate you’re telling the truth.
We will accomplish a proof of service document. We will submit this together with the rest of the evidence that proves you provided the motion for temporary relief to the other involved party. Doing all the necessary steps will improve your chances of obtaining a motion for temporary relief.
Conclusion
If you qualify for any of the types of motions for temporary relief listed above, then we can file for a motion and wait for the court to grant you temporary relief. Such motions will help you during one of the most challenging moments of your life and guide you in going through your divorce proceedings in peace.
Are you looking for an experienced family lawyer in Jacksonville to help manage your divorce? The Dorsey Law Firm is committed to providing our clients with legal assistance regarding family law, criminal law, and personal injury. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment!
Looking to start the divorce process? You came to the right place. We’re here to help!
When going through a divorce, it’s in your best interest to work with a professional Jacksonville divorce attorney who can give you legal advice and who knows exactly how the divorce process in Florida works.
Florida is a no-fault divorce state; so that means there are no grounds for divorce such as adultery, abandonment, or other traditional grounds for divorce. All that is necessary is to prove that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Under some circumstances, the court will stay the divorce pending marriage counseling.
To start a divorce in Jacksonville, Florida, one of the parties to a divorce must show proof of Florida residency for at least six months prior to filing the petition for dissolution of marriage. Normally, residency can be proven by using a Florida driver’s license showing the date of issue at least six months before the date the petition for dissolution of marriage was filed.
To begin a divorce proceeding, you must file the court forms pertaining to your situation. You can file for a petition for a dissolution of marriage to say your marriage is “irretrievably broken,” which means you cannot work out your problems or live together anymore.
Here are some basic steps of filing for divorce in Jacksonville:
Follow the rules when filing for divorce. The Duval County Clerk of Court requests you include your name, address, email, and telephone number on all filed documents. Make sure certain forms are complete and correct. Sign the forms and get them notarized, when applicable.
Determine if you’re filing for a simple or regular divorce in Duval County.
In a simple divorce, both parties agree on all issues and give up certain legal rights under the regular divorce process. For a simple divorce, you cannot have children 18 and over, you cannot be pregnant, one party has lived in Florida for the past six months, both parties agree to the division or property and debts, both parties sign the joint petition, both parties pay the filing fee.
In a regular divorce, the parties must proceed with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
File the appropriate forms with the court. Choose the correct petition form depending on your situation. The petition form options include:
Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage (Form 12.901(a))
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (Form 12.901(b)(1))
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Property but No Dependent or Minor Child(ren) (Form 12.901(b)(2))
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with No Dependent or Minor Child(ren) or Property (Form 12.901(b)(3))
When the couple has children under 18, one of the additional forms they must file is a Parenting Plan. Different parenting plans include:
Supervised/Safety-Focused Parenting Plan (Form 12.995(b))
Relocation/Long Distance Parenting Plan (Form 12.995(c))
Pay the filing fees.
Serve your spouse and comply with requirements like mediation or a parent education course, if required and applicable.
Appear before the judge. The judge will sign the petition for divorce if the parties have reached a resolution. If a resolution isn’t met, they will have a trial before a judge who decides on all issues including allocation of assets and debts, custody, parenting time, etc.
Looking for a Divorce Lawyer in Jacksonville?
If you want to claim alimony, have children, or property, you should seek the help of a Jacksonville divorce attorney. With all these variables, a divorce can become complicated and it’s best you work with someone who knows the law.
These steps listed above are informational and this content legal advice. To get legal advice, reach out to an experienced family law attorney.
William J. Dorsey is a divorce attorney and understands each divorce case is unique. Give us a call and we can help you through the entire divorce process. He will happily go over in detail the divorce process and steps with you.
As a Jacksonville divorce attorney, with more than 35 years of experience in the state of Florida, Dorsey knows Florida divorce law and how to apply it to get his clients the best possible outcome. He guides his clients through the entire process.
If you are considering divorce, our team would be happy to help you learn more about the divorce process in Florida. By hiring a divorce attorney, you’re laying the groundwork for a better result, especially if your divorce is complicated.
William J. Dorsey founded the Dorsey Law Firm in 1975 and has practiced family law and tried numerous trials throughout Florida in state and federal courts. To request your in-person consultation at The Dorsey Law Firm’s Jacksonville Law Office or if you have any questions, call 904-346-3883 or click ourJacksonville Divorce Attorney page for more information.
Divorce is one of the most life-alternating changes a person can go through. From your daily routine to finances, a recently divorced person will have to learn a new normal.
Divorce can be stressful, and emotional. Many divorced couples go through a grieving process, and healing from it can be painful and take time. Divorce can feel like sadness, disappointment, anger, pain, and failure.
During and after a divorce, it’s important to address the emotional and mental impacts one is going through. In order to work through and recover from a divorce, one must deal with their emotions and thoughts head on to fully move on and be happy again.
A life change (that you didn’t ask for or expected) can hurt your heart and head, and it should be dealt with like you’d treat any other physical pain. You must work on your emotions every day to get results.
Here are some tips that can help you recover from a divorce:
Admit that you are hurting. Once you admit this to yourself, you can start the process of healing as you are not in denial anymore. You will now be able to open up and express your feelings in this post-divorce journey. It’s OK to not be OK.
Feel all your feelings. You must go through and experience all your feelings to cope in healthy ways.
Take care of yourself. You are important and deserve to be cared for. If you develop a simple routine, you will start to feel better and be more motivated in life.
Do things you love. Now that you are on your own, do the things you’ve always wanted to do that you never had time for or that your ex-spouse never wanted to do. You will find joy/peace in experiencing things and activities that interest you.
Create a good support system. Whether it’s family members, friends, or a therapist, surround yourself with people who will truly support you during this time. Keep around quality people who make you feel good and offer quality help and advice.
Get professional help. There is no shame in talking to a life coach or therapist to help you grieve, move on, and grow. We all need help sometimes and a therapist is a great tool to help you look at your life and work on goals.
Focus on personal growth. Like stated before, now is a great time to do the things you love. It’s also a great time to learn a new hobby or skills and find ways to improve yourself. By focusing on personal growth, you will learn about yourself and what type of partner you should look for in the future.
Give yourself time to grieve. Spend enough time grieving so you can get to a healthy spot where you can be your best self. Grieving is a helpful process as it helps you work through a lot of things. Try not to rush into a new relationship or fall back into bad habits right away as this won’t heal the problem but just mask it.
Be thankful. During and post a divorce, you may find it hard to be grateful for things in life; however, you have so much to be thankful for like accomplishments, children, etc. Try to focus on the positives and good things in your life and the opportunities that are ahead.
Need a Divorce Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL?
Working your way through a divorce and moving on is a process. Be kind, compassionate and gentle to yourself. Divorce may be the end of a relationship, but it is the beginning of a new chapter in your life. It’s time for you to choose to move forward and stop living in the past.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help after your divorce, whether from a friend, family member, therapist, fellow divorced people, or a divorce attorney.
If you are going through a divorce and need legal help, talk to an experienced family law attorney.
William J. Dorsey is a divorce attorney and understands each divorce case is unique. Give us a call and we can help you through the entire divorce process.
As a Jacksonville divorce attorney, with more than 35 years of experience in the state of Florida, Dorsey knows Florida divorce law and how to apply it to get his clients the best possible outcome. He guides his clients through the entire process.
If you are considering divorce, our team would be happy to help you learn more about the divorce process in Florida. By hiring a divorce attorney, you’re laying the groundwork for a better result, especially if your divorce is complicated.
William J. Dorsey founded the Dorsey Law Firm in 1975 and has practiced family law and tried numerous trials throughout Florida in state and federal courts.
To request your in-person consultation at The Dorsey Law Firm’s Jacksonville Law Office or if you have any questions, call 904-346-3883 or click ourJacksonville Divorce Attorney page for more information.
If you’re getting divorced in Florida, alimony is likely to be involved or brought up in the process. Alimony is court-ordered payments awarded to one spouse through a divorce agreement. In each state, alimony may be determined and paid differently. In the state of Florida, alimony is determined by what the need is and the ability for the other party (spouse) to pay a certain amount.
As of January 1, 2019, alimony is no longer tax-deductible to the person paying the alimony and taxable as income to the recipient in Florida. The individual paying the alimony will no longer receive an off-the-top deduction and alimony will become much more expensive for the individual. In addition, alimony will no longer be counted as income to the person receiving the alimony.
According to the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers, alimony takes 30% of the payer’s gross annual income minus 20% of the payee’s gross annual income to estimate the alimony. The paying spouse‘s total income including alimony is not to exceed 40% of the combined gross income of the parties.
In the state of Florida, the most important consideration with alimony is that the court will look if the spouse requesting alimony has a need and then determine if the other spouse has the ability to pay all or part of that need. Overall, there is no one formula for alimony in Florida, so the court also takes into consideration the following:
The length of the marriage.
The standard of living set by the marriage, or how each spouse is used to living.
Each spouse’s age will be taken into consideration.
The income of both parties.
The contributions of each spouse to the marriage through caring for children, household, schooling, work, etc.
The financial resources that each spouse may have available to them.
In Florida, there are a few types of alimony that can be awarded. You will want to discuss each of the following types of alimony with your divorce attorney:
Temporary Alimony
Bridge-The-Gap Alimony
Durational Alimony
Rehabilitative Alimony
Permanent Alimony
Need a Divorce Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL?
It is critical to contact a divorce/family law attorney to evaluate your divorce case and help you figure out how to proceed with alimony.
If you think you should receive alimony or that you may have to pay it, your best bet is to meet with a divorce attorney and share your specific situation and set of circumstances. The decision of your alimony is dependent on many factors.
William J. Dorsey is a divorce attorney and understands each divorce case is unique. Give us a call and we can help you determine if alimony.
As a Jacksonville divorce attorney with more than 35 years of experience in the state of Florida, Dorsey knows Florida divorce law and how to apply it to get his clients the best possible outcome. He guides his clients through the entire process.
If you are considering divorce, our team would be happy to help you learn more about the divorce process in Florida. By hiring a divorce attorney, you’re laying the groundwork for a better result, especially if your divorce is complicated.
William J. Dorsey founded the Dorsey Law Firm in 1975 and has practiced family law and tried numerous trials throughout Florida in state and federal courts.
To request your in-person consultation at The Dorsey Law Firm’s Jacksonville Law Office or if you have any questions, call 904-346-3883 or click ourJacksonville Divorce Attorney page for more information.
We often hear the question, “Can the Divorce Process Be Streamlined?” To answer this question, yes — you can have a more streamlined, simplified divorce. In fact, a streamlined divorce can bring a couple less stress.
For a divorce to run more quickly and smoothly, both parties need to devote time and energy to the process. Many important things can be decided/settled before a case is even filed. However, simplified divorces are not for everyone. A streamlined divorce is great when both parties are amicable with one another and are able to work together to make the best decisions for themselves, family, finances, assets, etc. In a streamlined divorce process, the divorce will be done legally, fairly, quickly, and with little to no complications.
One great way to streamline the divorce process is to avoid courts altogether and opt for mediation. In divorce mediation, each side can control the timetable, work with their own schedules, and not have to deal with crowded courts. For the most part, during mediation, people can make their own decisions about property, children, assets and more. Overall, mediation is less expensive, more flexible, less time consuming, and often achieves a better result for both parties.
However, mediation isn’t always best for a streamlined divorce. Mediation is best for couples who are not in full agreement with each other and need the help of a neutral, third party to reach an agreement. With a truly streamlined divorce, the two parties usually agree but want the necessary legal assistance.
Need a Divorce Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL?
If you think a streamlined divorce or mediation may be right for you, your best bet is to meet with a divorce attorney to share your specific situation and set of circumstances.
The decision of whether you need a mediator or divorce attorney is dependent on your financial situation, relationship with your partner, and whether or not you have children. There are many processes and out-of-court options that will work for people who want a cheaper, quicker divorce process. Our attorneys at Dorsey Law Firm can help you decide what will work best for you.
William J. Dorsey is a divorce attorney and understands each divorce case is unique. Give us a call and we can help you determine if you need mediation or if your case needs to go to trial.
As a Jacksonville divorce attorney with more than 35 years of experience in the state of Florida, Mr. Dorsey knows Florida divorce law and how to apply it to get his clients for the best possible outcome. He guides his clients through the entire process.
If you are considering divorce, our team would be happy to help you learn more about the divorce process in Florida. By hiring a divorce attorney, you’re laying the groundwork for a better result, especially if your divorce is complicated.
William J. Dorsey founded the Dorsey Law Firm in 1975 and has practiced family law and tried numerous trials throughout Florida in state and federal courts.
To request your in-person consultation at The Dorsey Law Firm’s Jacksonville law office or if you have any questions, call 904-346-3883 or click ourJacksonville Divorce Attorney page for more information.
Divorce is a stressful, life-alternating event, but it can be even more so once finances are involved. When money and assets are involved in a divorce, a divorce becomes more complicated. Each party will hire a divorce attorney to help with the legal system. However, it is also important to work with and hire a financial expert like an advisor or analyst to guide you through the divorce process, as well.
Most divorce attorneys do not have financial or tax expertise. If you have a lot of assets, bank accounts, stocks, and other finances at play in your marriage, you want some more expert help on your team.
A divorce lawyer can create plans to figure out finances and assets, but they cannot always protect a person’s finances or know what’s best for you financially, as much as a financial advisor does.
A divorce lawyer is well versed in family law in your city and state, but their education did not include financial planning. The average divorce lawyer does not have the background or training to give financial advice to their clients. They cannot help you calculate and plan your long-term financial needs when it comes to college funds, trusts, retirement money, etc.
It is in each party’s best interest to get his or her own certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) to work with them to create the best financial plan based on the divorce process and situation, so there will be no major upsets or surprises. Don’t wait until after the divorce process to figure out your finances. If you come up with a financial plan at the start, your lawyer will be able to fight for a better deal for you.
A CDFA can make sense of splitting the assets and finances in a way a divorce lawyer cannot. Some situations that may seem like a “fair” split to the attorneys and clients, might not be. Many financial situations (assets, insurance payments, tax debt, etc.) can be complex, and a CDFA can account for all these complexities and possibilities.
On your divorce team, the divorce lawyer represents you (the client), educates you on the legal process, and files documents with the court. The CDFA can create a budget and plan for you during and after the divorce process, and educate you on financial information, assets, and taxes. They cannot give legal advice and do not replace your lawyer. The CDFA can help you make informed decisions. Based on your financial decisions, your divorce lawyer can help you negotiate better during divorce settlement.
For the best financial outcome, it is best to work with both a divorce attorney and a CDFA during and after the divorce. You want to have a full picture of your financial situation for the present and future. Not all couples need a CDFA, but if your finances are complicated, it’s in your best interest to make sure you pay or receive what you deserve.
Need a Divorce Attorney in Jacksonville, FL?
At the Dorsey Law Firm, we will work with you and a CDFA to help you get the best possible outcome in your divorce.
William J. Dorsey is a divorce attorney and understands each divorce case is unique. Give us a call and we can help you. We believe it is absolutely necessary to be aggressive in representing our clients.
As a Jacksonville divorce attorney, with more than 35 years of experience in the state of Florida, Dorsey knows Florida divorce law and how to apply it to get his clients the best possible outcome. He guides his clients through the entire process.
If you are considering divorce, our team would be happy to help you learn more about the divorce process in Florida. By hiring a divorce attorney, you’re laying the groundwork for a better result, especially if your divorce is complicated.
William J. Dorsey founded the Dorsey Law Firm in 1975 and has practiced family law and tried numerous trials throughout Florida in state and federal courts.
To request your in-person consultation at The Dorsey Law Firm’s Jacksonville Law Office or if you have any questions, call 904-346-3883or click our Jacksonville Divorce Attorney page.
Divorce can be an emotional, stressful time in a couple’s life. During a divorce, there’s a lot to handle, consider, and settle including finances, assets, child support and custody, etc. Each person involved wants the best possible outcome for themselves. With that said, you want to work with a lawyer who is experienced in family law and who has your best interests in mind.
Every divorce is unique and you should choose a divorce attorney that best suits your personal needs and situation. It may take you some time to find the right family law lawyer because you want to find a person who has a strong knowledge of the law, cares about your case, and is within your budget.
To start the divorce lawyer search, research. Start a list of the best family lawyers in your price range. Ask friends and family for referrals based on their own personal experiences. In your research, pay attention to lawyers’ ratings, fees, years of practice, what they practice, and if there is any misconduct.
As a family law firm in Jacksonville with over 35 years of experience, we wanted to share with you some other ways to help you choose the right divorce attorney. You will be investing a lot of money in this lawyer who will help define your future, so you want to make sure you’re hiring the right person for the job.
Temperament – Look for a divorce lawyer who doesn’t mock or mimic your emotions.
Likeability – Look for a divorce lawyer who is easy to talk to, who listens to you, understands you, and who makes everything easy to understand.
Honesty – You want a lawyer who tells you the truth about the situation and potential outcomes. You don’t want a person who makes false promises that will not benefit or help you.
Respect – If an attorney isn’t respectful to his or her team, other divorce attorneys, or even you, this is a red flag they are not the right person to rely on. You want an attorney who makes time for you, who is concerned about you, who doesn’t ignore or bully you.
Approachability – Meet with the attorneys you’ve researched to ask any questions. You want to be educated on the divorce process, as well as the attorney’s background and expertise. There are no dumb questions. If this attorney isn’t answering your questions or answering them to your liking, you probably shouldn’t move forward with them.
Reviews – See what others have to say about the attorney. Look for others who had similar cases and learn about the results they received.
It’s important you find a divorce lawyer you are comfortable with and confident in. Aim to hire the lawyer who has a solid background, years of experience, who practices the divorce process you’re interested in, fits your budget, and works with you respectfully and amicably.
Choosing a divorce attorney is an important decision and step in the divorce process, and if you follow the above steps, you will have an easier time finding the right person who has your best interests at heart.
Need a Divorce Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL?
If you’re looking for a divorce attorney, Dorsey Law Firm provides legal advice and representation to clients through practices of divorce, short term and emergency situations, such as injunctions against domestic violence to process a final divorce and post judgment modifications of support and custody. We attempt to negotiate settlements, but are not afraid to take a case to trial or to appeal if necessary.
William J. Dorsey is a divorce attorney and understands each divorce case is unique. Give us a call and we can help you determine if you need mediation or if your case needs to go to trial.
As a Jacksonville divorce attorney, with more than 35 years of experience in the state of Florida, Dorsey knows Florida divorce law and how to apply it to get his clients the best possible outcome. He guides his clients through the entire process.
If you are considering divorce, our team would be happy to help you learn more about the divorce process in Florida. By hiring a divorce attorney, you’re laying the groundwork for a better result, especially if your divorce is complicated.
William J. Dorsey founded the Dorsey Law Firm in 1975 and has practiced family law and tried numerous trials throughout Florida in state and federal courts.
To request your consultation with The Dorsey Law Firm’s Jacksonville Law Office or if you have any questions, call 904-346-3883or click our Jacksonville Divorce Attorney page.
For divorced parents and separated families, co-parenting can be tough throughout the year. Now with the world going through the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this brings its own challenges and stressors for families who are following child custody agreements.
As schools and daycares close and “stay at home” orders extended, it’s important that both parents come together to make a plan based on the best interests for their children. It can be a complicated time to co-parent, but it’s not impossible. For example, if one parent is an essential worker exposed to many people or potentially the virus, it’s a smart decision for the children to live with the other parent temporarily full time.
For many parents, it can be very hard to not see their children when they usually could. To create some normalcy for both the parent and child, it’s a good idea to talk on the phone or video chat often. The other parent can also come by and “visit” in a social distancing sort of way and see and talk to the children from a safe distance.
These are uncertain, unprecedented, and stressful times for most people throughout the world and parents need to work well together to help their children get through this time without creating any additional stress or worry — this is a time for parents to put differences aside and figure out what is best for the child(ren) until this pandemic has come to pass.
If neither parent is an essential worker, the parents can choose to stick to the normal co-parenting plan and just take the proper precautions and follow CDC guidelines (washing hands, wearing masks, social distancing, no touching the face, etc.) to stay safe. This way, each parent knows he/she is bringing the children to a safe environment. By keeping a normal, routine, and consistent, schedule, both the parents and children will feel more at ease.
If parents cannot agree on what’s best for the children during this time, legally, the parents need to try to abide by the court order that is currently in place for them that defines their visitation and custody schedule. You can reach out to a mediator by phone who was involved prior about your co-parenting plan to help you reach an agreement.
If the parents cannot agree on something that can pose as a great risk to the child, the parents may be able to get a hearing with the court via video chat. The judge would have to deem the risk very serious for him/her to change the current custody agreement.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its social distancing/quarantine guidelines are temporary. It’s best for everyone if the parents can make decisions that are best for the children’s mental states and safety and rise above their desires and bickering to make a temporary change in the co-parenting plan. Communication between the parents is crucial to navigating co-parenting through this hard time.
Also, both parents should talk to their children about COVD-19 in a way they will understand. Let them know what the risks are and what safety precautions need to be taken to stay safe, so the children will also understand why their schedule has to temporarily change. Be positive, calm and reassuring when you discuss this topic with them as your children will take your lead in how you react to the virus. Both parents should be available and make time to talk to their children when needed or necessary.
If you or your child get sick during this time, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have COVID-19. Many viruses have similar symptoms. Call a healthcare facility and let them know who is sick and what the symptoms are, and the medical professionals will determine if you need to come in and be tested for the virus.
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts have released a set of guidelines for co-parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. Be Healthy – Comply with all CDC, local, and state guidelines. Be a good role model with frequent hand washing, wiping down surfaces, practice social distancing, and stay informed with the facts and avoid rumors.
2. Be Mindful – Remain calm and reassure your child(ren) that life will get back to normal.
3. Be Compliant – Follow the rules of the court orders and custody agreements, as close as possible.
4. Be Creative – Do your best to stay compliant, but change the plan as needed as some parents may have to work more or have lost a job. If one parent now has the children for longer, make sure you give them access to the other parent through video chats or phone calls.
5. Be Transparent – Let the other parent know if you think you or the child(ren) have been exposed to the virus or have been sick. Discuss self-quarantining if you are worried about exposure. Talk about steps to take to protect your child(ren).
6. Be Generous – Try to provide makeup time if one parent is missing out during this time.
7. Be Understanding – These are financially hard times for many. If one parent cannot afford the child support, try to offer what you can during this time. The receiving parent should be accommodating considering these difficult circumstances.
Need a Family Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL?
It’s best for you and the other parent come to an agreement during this time, even if no one is crazy about the plan – it is what is best for the children. If you cannot figure out a new co-parenting plan, reach out to us at the Dorsey Law Firm.
We can create changes in writing to your custody agreement if you’re agreeing to different terms, especially if you think one parent might take advantage of this new plan. We will write up the new plan and include a stipulation that this plan has an end date and it will be filed when the courts are open.
This pandemic will end, and life will return to normal. Try your best to be calm, patient, and understanding during this time.
Many things feel out of control right now. It’s essential to remember that this hardship, no matter how long it lasts, will eventually end.
William J. Dorsey is a family law attorney and understands each divorce has a unique parenting plan. Give us a call and we can help you put together a new, temporary plan, if needed.
As a Jacksonville divorce attorney, with more than 35 years of experience in the state of Florida, Dorsey knows Florida divorce law and how to apply it to get his clients the best possible outcome. He guides his clients through the entire process.
If you are considering a new co-parenting plan, our team would be happy to help you learn more about the process in Florida. By hiring a divorce attorney, you’re laying the groundwork for a better result.
William J. Dorsey founded the Dorsey Law Firm in 1975 and has practiced family law and tried numerous trials throughout Florida in state and federal courts.
To request your consultation with The Dorsey Law Firm’s Jacksonville Law Office or if you have any questions, call 904-346-3883 or click our Jacksonville Divorce Attorney page for more information.
This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
