Common Pitfalls Of Doing-It-Yourself In A Fort Lauderdale Divorce
The ability to tackle do-it-yourself projects is admirable, but some things are better left to professionals. While friends and family may share their experiences and websites offer downloadable forms, a DIY divorce jeopardizes your rights and can cost you significant time and money in the long run.
Our Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer helps clients when DIY divorces go awry. The following are common pitfalls of not getting professional legal help.
Not Knowing Your Rights Or How Florida Laws Apply In Your Fort Lauderdale Divorce Cases
Fort Lauderdale divorce laws are listed under Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes. Legal professionals have extensive experience studying these laws and how they impact clients in different situations. Not knowing your rights or how these laws might apply in your particular case is one of the most common problems with DIY divorce in Fort Lauderdale.
When getting a divorce, your primary objective is getting what you are entitled to in a settlement. To achieve this goal, issues that need to be addressed include:
- Equitable division of marital property: In a Fort Lauderdale divorce, all property and assets accumulated during the marriage are divided on an equitable, not even, basis. Not getting legal help can result in a reduced settlement, impacting your financial security for a long time afterward.
- Alimony: Otherwise referred to as spousal support, alimony may be available if you make significantly less than your spouse. However, Florida alimony laws underwent dramatic changes over the past few years. Not knowing how current law applies can impact your rights to these payments.
- Child time-sharing and support: One of the most sensitive issues in Fort Lauderdale divorce concerns the care of children. Representing yourself when creating a parenting plan can cost you time with your child while miscalculating amounts owed deprives them of needed support.
Mistakes That Can Delay Getting A Final Order
There is no legal requirement for a lawyer to represent you in a Fort Lauderdale divorce. The Broward County Family Court even offers DIY instructions on its website but strongly encourages having a legal professional on your side to protect your rights.
The paperwork required for getting a divorce and the process of filing it through the local court is confusing for most people. Problems that can arise that may delay the process while costing you time and money include:
- Not completing the appropriate legal forms;
- Not filing them with the court properly;
- Failing to provide all required information and supporting documentation;
- Failing to serve divorce documents as required by law and missing hearings or other legal deadlines.
Get Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer On Your Side
DIY divorce might seem like a quick and inexpensive option for ending your marriage, but it can cost you both time and money in the long run. To protect your rights throughout these proceedings and get the total amount in a divorce settlement, get Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Vanessa L. Prieto on your side. To discuss your case, contact our office and request a consultation today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/0061.html
flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2023/html/2984
browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family
