Divorce is a highly stressful, life-changing event that affects all family members. The spouses and their children are financially, psychologically, emotionally, and physically vulnerable during this time. It is one of the most challenging seasons in a person’s life. At Downer Law, in DeLand, FL, we recognize and empathize with the turmoil and conflict involved in a marital breakup. We strive to ease the strain by providing personal and unparalleled service to every client.
Asset and Debt Division
Spousal Support
Child support
Custody and Visitation
Personal Property Division
Division of Marital Residence
Alimony
Tax Exemption Credit
When both parties contemplating divorce agree on the above matters, a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, also known as an uncontested divorce, is appropriate. Uncontested divorces are the most suitable and least costly way to terminate a marriage.
There are no minor or dependent children
Both parties agree with the division of assets and debts
At least one of the parties has resided in Florida for the past six months
The marriage is irretrievably broken.
An uncontested divorce can quickly become contested if a conflict arises. Contested divorces are common due to the complexities of the lifestyles of families today. High-conflict divorces are fundamentally adversarial. When there is a history of domestic violence, a spouse may seek an injunction or “protective” order against the opposing spouse. It is necessary for their safety and the children’s well-being. Domestic abuse will factor into the custody and visitation schedule in the parenting plan. A contested divorce begins when one party files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
As experienced family law attorneys, Downer Law can investigate hidden assets and under-reported incomes of the opposing spouse. For high-asset marriages, the valuation of assets and debts is critical in settling a divorce. As needed, we have resources such as property appraisers and forensic accountants. While a divorce is pending, we can seek temporary orders from the court for spousal support, child support, custody, and visitation. Temporary support will help the lower-earning spouse to remain financially stable until the divorce is finalized.
Alimony is also known as spousal support or maintenance. It is a court-ordered payment made by one spouse to another during divorce or after receiving a final divorce decree. Generally, the lower-income earner is entitled to financial support from the higher-income earner to rebuild their lives. The purpose of alimony is to ensure that a spouse can maintain their lifestyle without requiring financial assistance from the state. Either spouse can request alimony, and the court will evaluate the need and the opposing spouse’s ability to pay. In all alimony cases, the support is terminated if the paying spouse dies, or the alimony recipient remarries.
Temporary Alimony
Bridge-the-Gap
Rehabilitative Alimony
Durational Alimony