St. Petersburg Area Divorce Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Pinellas County

I’m getting a divorce.  Do I really need a lawyer?

It is possible to get a divorce without an attorney, but it can be very difficult to navigate the Florida legal system if you are unfamiliar with the forms, laws, requirements and other stumbling blocks that you might run in to.  We have worked with divorce law for years, and we know what to do to help you get your divorce as quickly and smoothly as possible.  No matter what the ramifications are or how complex your circumstances are, we offer competent and knowledgeable legal assistance.

What is collaborative divorce?

A relatively new way of handling divorce has been established with collaborative law.  In this type of divorce, each spouse has his or her own attorney and you and your attorneys work together outside of the courtroom to achieve an amicable and friendly agreement on all aspects of your marriage dissolution, including alimony, child support, child custody and property division.  This type of divorce is for people who want to have a cooperative divorce with less emotional trauma in a cost-effective and timely manner.

What is a contested divorce?

When you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement on one or more aspects of your divorce, you can be considered to be “contesting” the point.  If you and your spouse are unable to reach an accord, you will most likely take the matter to court and have a judge resolve the issue or issues.  A contested divorce generally takes longer and costs more than an uncontested divorce.

What is an uncontested divorce?

If you and your spouse can agree completely on all the various parts of your divorce and you are able to come to that agreement on your own, you can easily achieve an uncontested divorce (sometimes called “flat fee” because attorneys help you with this service for a low, flat rate).  This type of divorce can be finalized in as little as 20 days.  If you don’t want to go through expensive litigation and you can come to an accord with your spouse, this might be the right option for you and your family.

Is Florida a fault or no-fault state?

Florida is a no-fault divorce state, which means that you do not have to prove any spousal wrongdoing in order to get a divorce.

How much child support can I expect after our divorce is final?

Every case is different, and there is no pat answer that any attorney can give you without understanding your unique perspective and circumstances.  Our St. Petersburg area child support lawyers have over 50 years combined experience, and we have dealt with countless divorces involving minor children in which child support and child custody is a main issue.

Do you offer any free support for your clients?

Every client who is interested in receiving our free service can take advantage of it.  You can sign up for a free meeting with a mental health professional or with a financial planner.  Classes are scheduled and you can sign up for the next possible opening.  Speak with your lawyer at Givens Divorce Law Group to get more information about this service that we offer to all clients.

Contact a St, Petersburg Area Divorce Attorney at Givens Divorce Law Group to discuss your divorce in Florida.