Thursday, May 01, 2008

Avoid These 4 Mistakes in Your Florida Divorce

Florida divorce procedures can be like navigating a maze at a time when you're already feeling confused. If you are representing yourself in a Florida divorce, avoid these four common mistakes.

  • Asking your friends for legal advice. Unless you are friends with a Florida divorce attorney, avoid asking them for legal advice. You will get different advice and end up taking a poll. It will make you crazy. If you are representing yourself, get expert advice when you need it, but to do this right, you need to learn about Florida divorce law.
  • Incomplete Financial Affidavit. This is the most important document of your case if you have any property, debt or children. Take the time to get accurate information. Use at the past 12 months of household bills. Call the companies if you don’t have the information. Get current values for all accounts at the date of filing the petition for dissolution of marriage.
  • Not customizing the Florida divorce forms. Your case is unique. The official online forms do not always permit you to add sufficient information to get what you want. If you want to ask that property be sold over your spouse’s objection, you need to include all the requirements for a partition action. The form permits only 5 additional lines of information for “other relief.” This is not enough space to meet the requirements for the relief you want in your Florida divorce.
  • Not Seeking Expert Help. There are times when it just makes sense to get some expert help with your case. If you have complicated or unique finances, you may need an accountant. If you have complicated property issues or non-marital assets, you may want to talk to an attorney about legal treatment of the property or to an accountant about valuation issues. There are just times when it makes sense to seek expert advice in your Florida divorce.