Agreements to Settle Prior and Subsequent to Getting a Divorce
The first steps to obtaining a divorce are: Finding the right legal documentation, getting a divorce lawyer or a family law attorney serving in Fort Myers (or, not hiring a lawyer), having your divorce papers entered into the court record, and getting a divorce attorney. You can also use the same steps to apply for child custody and visitation rights. In any case, there are steps in divorce that you and your spouse must take before beginning the actual divorce process, and these are discussed below.
First, finding the right legal documents (Severability Agreement, Domestic Partnership Agreement, etc.) to start the divorce process is very important. These documents tell you what you can do legally once your divorce has begun. They outline how long you have to complete the divorce process; how many steps you will have to go through before you finalize the divorce, and what is expected of you and your spouse during the divorce process, including child custody and visitation. Also, divorce attorneys will explain what is involved in filing the divorce, having your divorce filed, getting a divorce judgment entered, and what type of financial information you should provide when applying for your divorce.
Second, you will need to have a divorce lawyer to file your divorce decree. A divorce lawyer will help you fill out the divorce paperwork and file it with the courts. Once you file the divorce decree, you will be able to officially separate from your spouse. Your divorce lawyer will also inform you as to what steps you need to take to change your title (property, name, or jointly held mortgages) so that your debts are cleared. Divorce mediation is sometimes used by spouses who want to amicably divide their property. Usually a divorce mediation lasts about two weeks and involves a neutral third party that helps you to settle your disputes.
Third, the divorce process will start with an evaluation of your case by your lawyer. He or she will determine whether there are grounds for divorce, and he or she will guide you through the legal steps that you need to take. The next step is filing a petition for divorce, which you will need to do personally or through your lawyer. Filing the petition for divorce can be a very stressful process, so make sure that you do not rush through it. Make sure that you have researched local divorce laws thoroughly, and that you have a solid understanding of how the court system works so that you know what to expect when your divorce case goes to court.
Fourth, after the filing of the divorce petition, there will be a series of administrative steps that you will need to take. First, you will be required to attend to child custody, visitation, and any other matter that are important to you, and this will usually happen within 90 days. Next, you will have to decide if you want to have a lawyer represent yourself in the divorce proceeding, and you will have to abide by your lawyer’s orders regarding any filings, pleas, etc. Finally, you will be required to provide the courts with all necessary information, including proof of income and assets, and you will have to abide by any agreements reached between you and your spouse. There is really nothing that anyone can do during these steps, but your divorce will be final once it is filed.
When it comes to dealing with divorce, it is a good idea to have an understanding of each of these steps. It can seem confusing, but knowing the different steps will help you make the process go much more smoothly. Divorce lawyers are well-trained in these issues, and they are experienced with everything from simple divorce settlements to complex divorce proceedings. This knowledge ensures that your divorce proceeding will go as smoothly as possible, and that you can focus on putting your finances in order and forgetting about your marriage. It is also helpful to understand that there are no quick and easy divorces, and that you may face many months or even years before you can fully move on and heal from your divorce.