On Trial for Divorce in Fort Lauderdale Florida

Whether or not you are in Fort Lauderdale, or any other city in Florida, the state does not permit jury trials for divorce under any circumstances, but never the less, you can go to trial before a judge in divorce cases. If you have gone to trial for a divorce, you have certainly in what divorce attorneys call a contested case. Contested cases can be very nasty ordeals for all concerned, including the divorce lawyers. In a divorce trial, not only can you experience the humiliation of exposing the reasons for a failed marriage to the public, a stigma might be attached to the participants who may endure a lifetime of shame for their failure to live up to societal expectations.

Whether or not these perceptions are real, before entering a contested marital divorce, you may want to ask yourself a couple of simple questions. First of all, is there any way for reconciliation between you and your spouse? Floridians, as a general rule, value hard work and commitment, two traits essential in making a marriage contract work, but in 2002, 54 percent of marriages ended in divorce. The divorce rate did not seem to change regardless of religious or non-religious affiliations. Therefore, since Floridians across the board share these of hard work and commitment including those that live in Fort Lauderdale, doesn’t it stand to reason that if at all possible, you should try to reconcile before acquiescing to divorce first ?

Secondly, if your answer to the first question is honestly “no,” then you may want to ask yourself, is there any way you can get out of a bad marriage without a lot of public fervor? Obviously, there are reasons some people should not stay married, the threat of imminent harm being chief amongst them. So, if you have come to the place where you have decided there is no other alternative to divorce, there are two ways you can get a divorce in Fort Lauderdale- Fault (Contested) or No-Fault (Uncontested or Non-Contested).

The No-Fault process can be as simple as filling out a Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage and Marital Settlement Agreement, legal documents easily obtained, and filing them with the Circuit Court within the County of Jurisdiction. Florida permits No-Fault divorce when the husband and wife both agree they are incompatible and the marriage is irretrievably broken. Providing you and your spouse can amiably agree on the terms of the divorce about your finances, assets, and children, the process is relatively simple, inexpensive, and can take as little as 30 days. In the event you are divorcing because your spouse has put you at imminent harm, a No-Fault divorce is probably not practical, but if there are other reasons you seek a dissolution of marriage, doesn’t it stand to reason, you should try and obtain a No-Fault divorce?

There are many reasons two people who have been married a while may not be able to amiably and maturely come to terms involving finances, assets, and children. In the event this happens, and it often does, there exists a real possibility for a contested divorce. When it does happen, you can present your case before a judge. In any case, it may be wise to be legally represented. In addition to the No-Fault reasons for divorce, Florida permits Fault divorce on grounds that both parties can substantiate. The reason has to be stated in the Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage as the reason the petitioner is wanting to end the marriage. Many times, these stated reasons for divorce are value based, and in a state where the results of a divorce are public record, the participants are open to public scrutiny and sometimes ridicule. Therefore, in a contested trial, the legal outcome is of utmost importance, and you may want to consider consulting with a divorce attorney.

Regardless of the decision concerning divorce you may have to make, there are divorce lawyers in Fort Lauderdale who can help you when it comes to divorce law. So, if you are considering a divorce, please contact us at www.divorceattorneyhome.com, and we will help you find the divorce attorney in your area that is more than willing to help you make the legal decisions that are right for you.