4 People to Consult During Florida Divorce Proceedings

Divorce can be a very lonely event. You’ve separated from your partner, and while you may have emotional support from family and friends, it can be hard to reach out to loved ones and ask them to get involved in matters like property distribution or the legal process of divorce. Family members close to both you and your ex might not want to choose sides, or they just may lack the knowledge to give you the best financial or legal advice.

This doesn’t mean you have to go through a divorce alone, though. Enlisting the help of professionals can be a worthy investment, and make the process of divorce go by much more smoothly. You need a divorce “team.”

Who Should Be on Your Divorce “Team”

Here are four people you should have on your speed dial throughout the divorce process:

Therapist – Saying divorce is stressful is an understatement. For many people, it can be downright traumatic. Up to 40% of people who go through a divorce experience some type of anxiety or depression. These symptoms can have a major impact on your ability to sleep, think, or calmly proceed through the divorce process.

If you are not currently seeing a therapist, now is a good time to find one in your area and give them a call. Talking through your divorce and learning how to handle stress during this time can benefit you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Having a good grip on your emotions may also help you in court or in negotiations – keeping your cool will send a positive message to judges about your ability to raise your children and handle your finances.

Mediator – Mediation can sound a lot like therapy to those who are unfamiliar with the process. While therapy helps you work through emotional issues, mediation aims for more concrete results.

Mediators help two parties make decisions and compromises by offering advice and perspective from a confidential and nonbiased third party. In divorces, mediators can be hired to help you and your ex come to mutual decisions about issues like alimony or parenting time.

Mediation can serve as an alternative to divorce court, or a mediator can be brought in as part of the process, working in conjunction with a traditional divorce lawyer.

Financial Consultant – Going through divorce proceedings means splitting up the assets you and your ex share. Before this can happen, you both have to agree upon what assets were obtained during the marriage, which were gifts to one party, and what else is rightfully yours or your ex’s.

This can be incredibly difficult to figure out if you don’t keep track of your individual assets, or if you have combined everything since your marriage. That’s where a financial consultant becomes useful.

By going though the history of your finances (including collecting records of what you currently have) and helping you plan for the future, a financial consultant will help you figure out how much you should ask for when you are going through divorce proceedings. Florida distributes assets based on equitable distribution of property – the state wants to make property distribution as fair as possible.

Family Lawyer – Anyone going through a divorce needs an experienced lawyer by their side, especially if you and your ex do not agree on everything. If things get heated between you and your ex, it is possible to communicate through your lawyer and gain assistance with negotiations.

Lawyers can help to educate you about your rights during a divorce proceeding, as well as how the state of Florida guides judges through making decisions about issues like property distribution and child support. Each state has different rules when it comes to divorce, and these rules may change over the years. Let a lawyer do all the fine-print-reading for you.

Additionally, if your ex gets violent or threatens to take assets that are rightfully yours, a lawyer can also help you through the process of getting a restraining order. A separate court case may be necessary to convince a judge that your ex must stay away from you, your children, or your money.

In some cases, a lawyer may also be useful after divorce proceedings are completed. For example, alimony and child support plans may need to be modified.

Low-Cost Family Lawyers Are Available in Florida

It is common for people to be hesitant to call a divorce lawyer, especially if they are not in the best place financially. Neglecting an attorney, however, is a mistake that can cost you big time. Moreover, there are numerous high-quality, low-cost lawyers out there who can help.

Get in touch with one of our Florida family lawyers today. A consultation will help to set your mind at ease and learn more about the possible outcomes of your divorce.