Family Law & Divorce
“Dissolution of Marriage" is the Florida legal term for a divorce. Florida is a “no-fault” state, meaning that, under Florida divorce laws, you do not need to prove cause or “fault” to obtain a divorce. A court can issue a divorce judgment if a spouse swears under oath in court that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”
Our divorce layers handle two types of divorces: Uncontested Dissolution of Marriage and Contested Dissolution of Marriage. An uncontested dissolution of marriage occurs when you or your spouse agree on all the issues concerning your divorce. The uncontested divorce process usually takes less time to complete and is less expensive since you and your spouse have already agreed to all the terms.
If you and your spouse do not agree on all of the terms of your divorce, you must proceed with a contested divorce case. Many times the issues are still resolved, short of an actual trial, through mediation and later approved by the judge. If the conflict is not handled prior to trial, the case will go to trial and be resolved by a judge. A trial involves witness testimony from both parties as well as exhibits, documents, and other evidence.
Seeking early advice of a qualified Florida divorce attorney is essential to protecting your legal rights. Many times an experienced Florida divorce lawyer can help you settle the outstanding issues without the need for mediation or a divorce trial.
Our Pensacola divorce attorneys can help you with issues such as: alimony, property distribution, child custody, child support, visitation rights, relocation of the children, the marital home, debt division, domestic violence, and more. To ensure your legal rights are protected, it is important to seek legal counsel from a qualified attorney who is familiar with Florida divorce laws.
Florida is an “equitable distribution” state, which assumes that all property be distributed fairly among the spouses. However, equitable does not always mean equal. During the divorce process, a court will look at a number of factors before making any decisions regarding property distribution, spousal support, or child support. The relevant factors may include, but are not limited to: the length of the marriage, the contribution by each spouse to the marriage, including the care and education of the children, the economic situation of the parties, what is in the best interest for the children, and more.
If you are in contemplating a divorce, it is important to seek the assistance of a qualified Florida divorce attorney. Divorces can be a very stressful matter with your future and children's future at stake. An experienced Florida divorce attorney can help you understand Florida divorce laws, draft your paperwork, provide legal advice, and help protect your rights. Whibbs & Stone is currently handling family law cases in Pensacola, Florida and Esambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties. Our experienced family law attorneys are licensed to practice in all Florida State courts. We are conveniently located a block North of Joe Patti's Seafood.
Contact us today to speak to a family law attorney about your divorce or other family law matters.
