When a couple chooses to get divorced, they can save money and decrease stress by opting for an uncontested divorce. However, specific requirements must be met before a judge will grant this type of divorce in Tampa.
One party must fill out the correct forms, file them with the county clerk, pay a filing fee, and have them properly served.
Hire a Lawyer
Choosing an uncontested divorce Tampa has several benefits. It allows spouses to avoid the costly and contested process, save on legal fees, and minimize the amount of private information that becomes public record.
Having an experienced attorney during a divorce is crucial to handling everything correctly. The spouses must agree on all aspects of the divorce, including legal custody, visitation, child support, property division, alimony, and healthcare insurance.
It is expected to have disagreements on some of these issues, but they must be resolved in a way that satisfies the court’s requirements. Please do so to avoid the case becoming contested and significantly increasing the legal fees. Additionally, a contested case often results in a lifetime of grudge matches.
Serve Your Spouse
Even if you and your spouse agree on all issues related to divorce and are filing for an uncontested divorce, it’s crucial to understand that you must still follow the process of putting those agreements into writing and attending a court hearing. The Judge needs to be informed of your case’s critical aspects.
It includes the length of your marriage, which has repercussions in many core areas, such as alimony eligibility. Additionally, if you do not have constructive service from your spouse, it may take months to track down where they live and get them served with divorce papers. It can be time-consuming and costly. That is why it is vital to hire a knowledgeable Tampa divorce attorney.
Schedule a Hearing
Divorce is often expensive and stressful. Hiring an attorney familiar with Florida law can make the process much easier and faster.
If you are worried about being able to afford your divorce lawyer, there are ways to get the funds you need. Some examples include selling jewelry, using credit cards that have high limits, taking money from retirement accounts, and other creative methods.
If your spouse is hiding assets or refusing to cooperate, legal tools are available to help. One of the most critical tools is requesting service through a private process server that can provide specialized instructions and may have more flexibility in finding your spouse. It will help ensure that your spouse receives the divorce papers and knows when their response is due.
Set Aside Money for Legal Fees
The more contested issues in your divorce, the longer the case will take and the more it will cost. That is why it is essential to talk with an experienced Tampa divorce attorney and create a case strategy that will be cost-effective and efficient.
An uncontested divorce costs less than a contested one since it involves fewer proceedings and less information is publicized. However, it is still costly, and you should set aside money for your legal fees before starting the process.
Whether you choose a divorce lawyer who charges by the hour or a firm offering flat fees, you must pay a retainer when you hire them. A retainer is like an engagement fee and covers your family law attorney’s time on your case.
Set Aside Time for Court
Most people in the early stages of filing for divorce have little idea of what to expect. When this happens, many do internet research to learn more about the process. Unfortunately, this often leads to reading horror stories about divorce cases.
While these stories are usually worse than reality, they can still leave some people feeling overwhelmed about the process. Additionally, this kind of research can often lead to an inaccurate perception of how long a case will take. Numerous issues can bog down a divorce case and make it last longer than necessary. One such issue is complex issues relating to the length of a marriage, as this can have significant repercussions on alimony.
