Unfortunately, not all marriages last forever. If you live in Tampa and you are at the stage where you need to take legal action to protect yourself, your family, and your finances, then you should secure a reputable Tampa divorce attorney with proven family law expertise. You need to be assured that your attorney can provide your family with the best possible outcome in your divorce.

Florida is a “no-fault” state, which essentially means that neither party has to prove fault to file for divorce. The only filing requirement is that you must have been a Florida resident for a minimum of six months and the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Though the filing requirements are easily met, there are some complexities in many divorces that need to be handled by an experienced Tampa divorce attorney.

Things to Consider

All families and all divorces have differences. Because circumstances are different, there is no one-size-fits-all divorce. That is why you need an experienced lawyer to guide you in a way to get the best results.

Division of Property

When a couple decides to divorce, they must agree on an equitable division of assets. If this is not the case, the court must intervene and divide the property equitably. Normally, that means the property is divided 50/50. However, there could be reasons that this cannot happen. This is when an experienced divorce attorney can step in and help with negotiations.

Alimony

If there is a large disparity in the financial resources between the two parties, alimony or spousal support may be sought. The award is based on one spouse’s ability to pay and the need of the other spouse. This award is separate from child support.  

Child Custody 

If dependent children are involved, child custody, now referred to as time-sharing, must be determined. Both parents should have time allowed with the children, unless, of course, it is not in the best interest of the child. This must be determined by a judge, who could award sole custody to only one parent. Child custody is an area where divorce attorneys excel and will help to settle the custody of dependent children in their best interest.

There are two types of custody: Legal and Physical. Legal custody has nothing to do with where the child resides. It is awarded to the parent who is responsible for making the legal decisions for the child’s welfare. Physical custody gives the parent the right to take care of the child on a daily basis and live with them. Typically, one parent is named primary and the other secondary. Custody rights are outlined in the parenting plan which is drawn up and submitted to the court for approval.  

What to Look for In a Tampa Divorce Attorney

When choosing a Tampa divorce attorney, you want to look for an attorney who specializes in divorce, child custody, and the division of assets. You want someone whose expertise will allow you to get the best results for you and your family. And you want someone with a great reputation, is active in the community and has won awards and accolades in their field. 

Look for attorneys:

• Who were chosen 2020 Best Divorce Lawyers in Tampa
• Who were identified as 2020 Best Child Support Lawyers in Tampa
• Who have a Rising Stars rating on SuperLawyers.com

 Are accredited by:

• BBB
• ABA

Are associates of:

• LEAD Counsel LC Rated
• Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys    

Key Takeaway

Going through a divorce can be stressful. You want to be assured that you are getting the best possible outcome for you and your family. Choose a Tampa Divorce attorney who specializes in divorce and family law, has the knowledge and experience to get you the best results, and can answer all your questions.