subject: What You Need To Establish When Filing For a Divorce In Florida [print this page] What You Need To Establish When Filing For a Divorce In Florida
While going through a divorce is regularly a strenuous and demanding time the requirements to petition for a divorce in Florida are minimal. Customarily, there are only three prerequisites a spouse must comply with to file for a divorce petition. Florida divorce law requires the petitioner to demonstrate that at least one party to the divorce is a Florida resident. The petitioner will also be required to appear in court, and testify the marriage is irretrievably broken. Generally, a Tampa divorce attorney is employed by the party petitioning for the divorce to file the petition with the Florida family law court on their behalf. The Tampa divorce attorney can file the petition and navigate the divorce through the Florida family law court system.
In order to be classified as a Florida resident the spouse must be a resident for the six-month period immediately preceding the filing of the divorce petition. A Tampa divorce lawyer can show the petitioner is a resident by either showing a valid Florida license, Florida ID, or Florida voter registration card to the Florida family law court. If neither of these documents are available the Tampa divorce attorney could satisfy the residency condition by supplying the Florida family law court with an affidavit from a corroborating witness; or testimony from a third party.
If the Tampa divorce lawyer satisfies the residency requirements the spouse must then testify that the marriage is irretrievably broken. In other words, the marriage cannot be saved by marriage counseling or any other means. Unlike other states, Florida has no requirement to establish there was adultery or violence. Lastly, Florida divorce law requires the petitioning party to appear in court for the final divorce hearing.
Regardless whether or not you can fulfill the requirements to file for a divorce you should speak with an skilled Tampa divorce lawyer before submitting the petition. Often the other spouse will seek property distribution, alimony and other concessions you may not assent to. The Tampa divorce lawyers at Florida Law Group can file the petition on your behalf and negotiate with the other party to try and reach an arrangement you can be happy with.
