Fort Lauderdale

Divorce Attorney

Coming to the realization that your marriage is no longer viable is a challenging decision to reach no matter how long you’ve been married. When the time comes to file for divorce, The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A. can help you with the entire process, including the division of property, alimony, child support, and many other aspects of divorce in Florida. Call our office today to schedule a consultation so you can begin the process and move on with your life.

How to Tell Your Spouse You Want a Divorce

Once you determine that it’s time to file for divorce, the next hardest part of the process is telling your spouse that you want to file for divorce. This can be a very difficult conversation to have with your spouse no matter how open you’ve been with them throughout your relationship.

When you want to have a conversation with your spouse, make sure you have plenty of time when doing so. Do not rush off to work after telling your spouse that you want a divorce. Even if your relationship has struggled of late, you still need to offer your spouse some compassion when having this conversation.

Florida is a No-Fault Divorce State

Florida operates as a no-fault divorce state, which means that you do not have to provide any reason for filing except that the marriage is irretrievably broken. In simpler terms, you have to show that the marriage is broken and cannot be repaired. Other grounds for divorce in Florida include a spouse being mentally incapacitated for a period of three years.

Eligibility for Filing for Divorce in Florida

In order to file for divorce in Florida, one of the spouses must have lived in the state for at least six months prior to filing the paperwork with the court. An exception to this requirement is if you are a member of the military who lives in Florida but is stationed somewhere outside of the state at the time you file the paperwork. When you file the paperwork for divorce, you must do so in the county where you reside.

Submit a Financial Affidavit

Within 45 days of filing for divorce in Florida, you are required to submit a financial affidavit. This document must be signed by you and include the following financial information:

• Income
• Assets
• Debts
• Tax returns
• Bank statements
• Credit card statements
• Personal financial statements

Do I Qualify for a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage?

If you wish to resolve your divorce using the simplified dissolution of marriage in Florida, you must meet the following requirements:

• Both spouses agree to this process
• Neither one of you have minor or dependent children (this includes any child under age 18 you have adopted)
• Neither one of you is pregnant
• At least one of you has lived in Florida for six months
• Both of you agree about dividing all debt and property
• Neither one of you is looking for alimony
• Both of you agree that the marriage is not salvageable

Divorce The Smart Way

If you are facing divorce, you need a Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney who can help you make smart decisions about your future. Your life will inevitably change, but there are ways to make the divorce process as smooth, efficient, and cost-effective as possible.

At The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., I handle family law matters in divorce court. For legal services regarding divorce, child support, alimony, or a related matter, contact my law office.