My Spouse Just Asked for a Divorce
Finding out that your spouse wants a divorce can come as a shock. Even if you were having trouble in your relationship, you may have thought it was something you both were dealing with or trying to work through. While you may be reeling emotionally from the news, there are practical matters to consider. The following outlines some of the first steps you need to take if your spouse and information on what you can expect during these proceedings.
First Steps When Faced With an Impending Divorce
According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), close to one million couples end up getting divorced each year in the United States. While most people are aware of how common divorce is, it can still come as a shock when it happens to you and your marriage.
You and your spouse may have obvious problems, such as constant fighting and issues concerning abuse or adultery, addiction, and other behaviors, or you may have slowly been growing apart for a matter of years. Regardless of the reasons and your personal reaction to the news, there are some important steps you will want to take if your spouse announces that getting a divorce is their intention:
- Consult with an experienced divorce attorney. This is something you should do immediately. Regardless of whether your spouse follows through on their threat, you need to make sure your legal rights are protected.
- Get statements for funds in financial accounts. It is not uncommon for a spouse to attempt to drain assets once they decide the marriage is over.
- Decide whether you want to be the one to leave. If your intent for the future would be to remain in the home, your best course of action is to stay put.
- Make an inventory of all property and assets you and your spouse possess. This will prove crucial in ensuring you get a fair settlement.
Important Issues to Resolve in Fort Lauderdale Divorce Proceedings
There are two basic types of divorce: uncontested cases are those in which both parties agree to the terms and can be resolved in as little as a few months. In a contested case, there may be major issues to negotiate, which can make the divorce process more time consuming and costly. Under the Florida Statutes, there are important issues which must be resolved in either situation before a final divorce order can be issued. These include:
- Equitable division of marital property, assets, and debts;
- Determinations regarding spousal support and alimony;
- Child time sharing arrangements, if there are children of the marriage;
- Determinations regarding any child support that will need to be paid.
Reach Out to Us Today for Assistance
It may come as a shock if your spouse asks for a divorce. It is important to act quickly, though, as decisions made during this time can impact you for years to come. To protect yourself, get Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney Vanessa L. Prieto on your side. Contact our office today to request a confidential consultation.
Resource:
cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/marriage-divorce.htm
https://www.vanessaprietolaw.com/legal-documents-needed-in-a-florida-divorce/
