TAMPA DIVORCE ATTORNEY
Florida Lawyer for Uncontested Divorce
If you find yourself facing legal questions about becoming divorced from your marital partner, most people don’t know where to start. Divorce can be a daunting task and it is sometimes hard to find the facts you need to make an informed decision. Since there are both financial and personal stakes it is important to understand your legal rights as well as the options Florida law allows regarding family law and divorce.
When a divorce is contested, this means that the parties cannot agree either about getting a divorce, or about the terms of the divorce. A contested divorce can become very complex, with lengthy litigation involved. However, in cases where your marital partner allows this process to be fairly straightforward then the procedure is uncontested. This means that your marital partner and you have agreed on division of property, child custody, child support, time sharing issues, alimony (spousal maintenance), asset division, debt division or even pension benefit division. For all parties involved, this is the easiest or time consuming type of divorce.
KNOW THE LAW, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Florida Divorce Statute and Requirements of Divorce in Florida
There is a requirement that one of the parties must reside in Florida for a minimum of six months before the petition for dissolution is filed. You will need to provide proof of residency. Florida Statute 61.052, the grounds for divorce are:
- The marriage is irretrievably broken, or
- One of the spouses suffers mental incapacity.
While an uncontested divorce does not require a trial, this does not mean that the court is not involved. You must follow all specific legal proceedings with any divorce in Tampa, Florida to determine that a valid divorce decree can be issued. An experienced Tampa divorce lawyer can help ensure you have reviewed every issue, while helping to ensure that your property and rights are protected. A caring family law attorney for your Tampa divorce is only a phone call away. Tampa Divorce Attorney Mark G. Rodriguez is committed to working with you to understand your unique situation, and to help determine the best actions to take. If you are considering a legal separation, divorce, or if you and your spouse have agreed to divorce, contact us today for a free consultation and complete review of your case.
Florida Statute 61.052 – Dissolution of Marriage:
(1) No judgment of dissolution of marriage shall be granted unless one of the following facts appears which shall be pleaded generally: (a) the marriage is irretrievably broken. (b) Mental incapacity of one of the parties. However, no dissolution shall be allowed unless the party alleged to be incapacitated shall have been adjudged incapacitated according to the provisions of s. 744.331 for a preceding period of at least 3 years. Notice of the proceeding for dissolution shall be served upon one of the nearest blood relatives or guardian of the incapacitated person, and the relative or guardian shall be entitled to appear and to be heard upon the issues. If the incapacitated party has a general guardian other than the party bringing the proceeding, the petition and summons shall be served upon the incapacitated party and the guardian; and the guardian shall defend and protect the interests of the incapacitated party. If the incapacitated party has no guardian other than the party bringing the proceeding, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to defend and protect the interests of the incapacitated party. However, in all dissolutions of marriage granted on the basis of incapacity, the court may require the petitioner to pay alimony pursuant to the provisions of s. 61.08.
(2) Based on the evidence at the hearing, which evidence need not be corroborated except to establish that the residence requirements of s. 61.021 are met which may be corroborated by a valid Florida driver's license, a Florida voter's registration card, a valid Florida identification card issued under s. 322.051, or the testimony or affidavit of a third party, the court shall dispose of the petition for dissolution of marriage when the petition is based on the allegation that the marriage is irretrievably broken as follows: (a) If there is no minor child of the marriage and if the responding party does not, by answer to the petition for dissolution, deny that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court shall enter a judgment of dissolution of the marriage if the court finds that the marriage is irretrievably broken. (b) When there is a minor child of the marriage, or when the responding party denies by answer to the petition for dissolution that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court may: 1. Order either or both parties to consult with a marriage counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, minister, priest, rabbi, or any other person deemed qualified by the court and acceptable to the party or parties ordered to seek consultation; or 2. Continue the proceedings for a reasonable length of time not to exceed 3 months, to enable the parties themselves to effect a reconciliation; or 3. Take such other action as may be in the best interest of the parties and the minor child of the marriage. If, at any time, the court finds that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court shall enter a judgment of dissolution of the marriage. If the court finds that the marriage is not irretrievably broken, it shall deny the petition for dissolution of marriage.
(3) During any period of continuance, the court may make appropriate orders for the support and alimony of the parties; the parenting plan, support, maintenance, and education of the minor child of the marriage; attorney's fees; and the preservation of the property of the parties.
(4) A judgment of dissolution of marriage shall result in each spouse having the status of being single and unmarried. No judgment of dissolution of marriage renders the child of the marriage a child born out of wedlock.
(5) The court may enforce an ante nuptial agreement to arbitrate a dispute in accordance with the law and tradition chosen by the parties.
(6) Any injunction for protection against domestic violence arising out of the dissolution of marriage proceeding shall be issued as a separate order in compliance with chapter 741 and shall not be included in the judgment of dissolution of marriage.
(7) In the initial pleading for dissolution of marriage as a separate attachment to the pleading, each party is required to provide his or her social security number and the full names and social security numbers of each of the minor children of the marriage.
(8) Pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, each party is required to provide his or her social security number in accordance with this section. Each party is also required to provide the full name, date of birth, and social security number for each minor child of the marriage. Disclosure of social security numbers obtained through this requirement shall be limited to the purpose of administration of the Title IV-D program for child support enforcement.
History.--s. 7, ch. 71-241; s. 26, ch. 73-333; s. 38, ch. 81-259; s. 1, ch. 86-150; s. 114, ch. 86-220; s. 1, ch. 89-61; s. 107, ch. 89-96; s. 1, ch. 91-246; s. 2, ch. 93-188; s. 4, ch. 96-183; s. 1, ch. 96-392; s. 2, ch. 97-170; s. 3, ch. 97-242; s. 12, ch. 98-403; s. 1, ch. 99-375; s. 3, ch. 2008-61.