As matrimonial attorneys, my colleagues and I deal with the community’s least happy people on a day-to-day basis. There is really no part of divorce litigation which one can describe as a fun experience.
Months or years of unhappiness culminate with a decision to admit failure to achieve one of life’s most heartfelt endeavors, a happy marriage, surrounded by successful children and loving friends.
Those of you who are involved in the process, or plan to become involved in the process over the next few months, know that the trip will not be
Micheal Gora
easy or inexpensive. However, I know that there is life after divorce, after enjoying 33 years of a loving second marriage. To make the most out of your divorce I suggest you take the following recommendations:
1. Before starting, learn as much as you can about Florida divorce law. There are hundreds of online sources. Reading Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes provides a meaningful beginning. If you can read a newspaper, you can learn a lot by taking an hour or two to read the basic provisions about alimony, child support, parenting plans, divorce mediation, and distribution of property. Knowing as much as you can about the process will prevent you from having unrealistic expectations. Look into Maryland divorce laws 2023 if you are planning to file for divorce. This way, you’ll know what to expect on the whole process.
2. Retain an appropriate attorney for your case. Choose an experienced divorce lawyer, but one you can afford. Rates go from $250 an hour to over $500 an hour. You are usually better off with an attorney who specializes only in matrimonial law, in the county where you live. He or she will know the judges, and the judges will know them. While it is a good idea to ask your friends of their experiences with their attorney, but realize that their case may be vastly different from your case, and that they may have been disappointed because they had unrealistic expectations. Hiring a Board Certified Florida Matrimonial Attorney will usually insure that your counselor is knowledgeable and prepared to help you. You can find many Board Certified Matrimonial attorneys in Palm Beach County on the website of The Florida Bar.
3. Do not involve your children in your divorce case, or use access to your children as a bargaining chip. There are few cases in which the reason for a divorce is totally the fault of one of the two adults involved. There are no cases in which your children caused the divorce. Bringing your arrows against your husband or wife to the children will hurt them more than it will help you. If a judge finds out you have been enlisting your children on your side you will lose your credibility in court. If the judge does not like you, you will lose.
4. Follow advice from DuPage County damily law attorney, while you continue to work together. It would be foolish to pay a professional, and then to ignore his or her advice. You cannot hope for a good result if you resist helping your attorney prepare your case. Expect to have a lot of homework to prepare and turn over to your counsel during the discovery phases of the case. You will need to use basic math skills to help to complete your financial affidavit, upon which alimony claims are based. You must communicate with your divorce lawyer, answering his or her questions, and providing insight about your spouse’s business and personal spending habits. You and your divorce lawyer Maryland must become the better team.
5. Understand that while there are a number of issues that can require litigation in every divorce case, not all are equally important in every case. Most cases eventually settle as negotiations often result in compromise. The intent of the Florida divorce law statute is to produce a result which is fair to both husband and wife. Do not forget, there is life after divorce.
Michael H. Gora has been certified by the Board of Specialization of The Florida Bar as a specialist in family and matrimonial law and practices law in Boca Raton as a partner in Shapiro Blasi Wasserman and Gora, P.A. Mr. Gora may be reached at mhgora@sbwlawfirm.com or (561)477-7800.