Lakeland Divorce Lawyer

Divorce can be a difficult experience, affecting everything from your monthly income and property rights to your relationship with your children and perspective on the future. When you are going through such an emotionally trying time, you need a legal advocate you can trust to give you unbiased information about your legal rights and options.

A Lakeland divorce lawyer from the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers can meet with you to discuss your specific situation and objectives. Contact us today at (407) 420-2311 to schedule a free case evaluation in Lakeland, Florida.

Why Should I Choose the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers for Help With a Divorce in Lakeland, FL?

Why Should I Choose the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers for Help With a Divorce in Lakeland, FL?

At Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers, our lawyers have over 15 years of combined legal experience, so we know what to expect and how to build a strong case strategy aimed at achieving your objectives. Unlike many firms in Lakeland, FL, we provide free case evaluations so we can explain the law to you and how it might impact you.

We know that making the decision to get divorced is a major one, and we won’t pressure you to take action you’re not ready for. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a caring and compassionate Lakeland divorce attorney.

A spouse can seek to legally dissolve their marriage if they can prove that the marriage is irretrievably broken or one of the spouses is mentally incapacitated. Irretrievably broken means that the marriage is beyond repair. To obtain a divorce based on mental incapacity, it must be shown that a court has determined the spouse to be mentally incapacitated for at least three years before the divorce petition is filed.

Residency Requirement

Florida law requires that at least one spouse be a resident of the state for at least six months before filing the petition. The party petitioning for divorce must prove residency to the court, such as by showing a valid Florida driver’s license, voter registration card, or other accepted methods.

While every divorce is different, the major legal issues that are involved in divorces in Lakeland typically include:

  • Property division: Florida uses an equitable distribution model for property division in the event of divorce, which tries to fairly, but not necessarily equally, divide marital property between the spouses.
  • Alimony: Alimony is not automatic in Florida divorce cases. The spouse wanting it must show that they need it and the other spouse can afford to pay it. There are different types of alimony, depending on the situation.
  • Child custody: Child custody deals with the right to have your child live with you, as well as who can make important decisions regarding your child.
  • Child support: Each spouse is expected to contribute to their child’s financial needs. Child support is a monetary payment from one parent to another parent to help meet these needs.

Our legal team can help you with all of these legal issues.

Types of Divorce in Lakeland, Florida

The three primary forms of divorce in Lakeland include:

  • Contested divorce: A contested divorce arises when the spouses do not agree with one of the major legal issues discussed above, such as child custody or property division. If the couple cannot reach a settlement before the trial, the court decides.
  • Uncontested divorce: In an uncontested divorce, the couple is able to reach an amicable decision regarding the major legal issues discussed above.
  • Collaborative divorce: A collaborative divorce starts as a contested divorce, but the parties work together, along with their lawyers and other professionals, to reach a fair divorce agreement. 

Our divorce lawyers have experience handling all types of divorces and can help guide you through yours.

The legal process to get divorced in Florida will depend on the type of divorce you’re getting, but the general process includes:

  • Preparing a formal complaint 
  • Filing the complaint in the proper court, along with other required legal paperwork
  • Serving your spouse with the formal documents
  • Providing a mandatory financial disclosure to your spouse and the court
  • Participating in settlement negotiations
  • Reaching a divorce settlement or decision in court
  • Receiving the divorce decree

It’s critical that you have an experienced divorce attorney who can help walk you through the legal process of obtaining a divorce.

If you’re considering divorce, contact the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton, Divorce Lawyers. We offer customized legal services that are tailored to your particular situation. Our Lakeland divorce lawyers can explain more about how we can help when you call to schedule your free case evaluation.