| What does marriage really mean? Is it also a legal | | | | a party denies that the marriage is "irretrievably |
| relationship? What are the consequences of marriage | | | | broken" then the court may order counseling and the |
| and divorce? How will it change your life? What does | | | | proceedings may be delayed up to (3) months for |
| the dissolution of marriage mean and what is involved | | | | possible reconciliation. Most courts where children are |
| in the proceeding? | | | | involved require parenting classes. Divorce proceedings |
| Getting married isn't just living together until death or | | | | are public proceedings and are available for review at |
| divorce. When you marry you enter into a legal | | | | the courthouse. |
| relationship with many consequences on your | | | | The court begins the process of division by first setting |
| ownership of money, your possessions, your children | | | | aside "non marital" which were owned prior to |
| and ultimately how you relate. Persons getting married | | | | marriage or inherited or properties agreed to in a |
| should research information about what marriage really | | | | written agreement between both parties as non |
| means and what impact it can have on your future. | | | | marital. Assets and liabilities will be distributed equally or |
| For those considering marriage there are pre-marital | | | | not, based on equitable factors; for example a career. |
| classes. A "prenuptial agreement" can determine the | | | | The court may award some assets to each party and |
| economic issues if one dies or the marriage is | | | | balance the difference through a cash payment. |
| dissolved. If there isn't a written or verbal agreement | | | | A trial judge may enter orders while the divorce action |
| referencing assets and liabilities; the court will have a | | | | is pending dealing with support, maintenance, |
| trial to determine who gets what and who will pay | | | | possession, where any children may live, and the time |
| what. If a party owes a debt prior to the marriage and | | | | spent with each parent, and also, attorney fees and |
| that debt still exists at the time of the divorce that | | | | costs. |
| party will still be responsible for that debt unless other | | | | A final judgment from the court must be obtained to |
| agreed to arrangements were made. | | | | dissolve the marriage. Matters of property, support and |
| Once a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in | | | | child-related issues will be determined. |
| Florida, then legal service is required of the other | | | | In summary, getting married is a legal relationship which |
| person. That party must file a written answer. Financial | | | | has bearing on many factors including your future and |
| information to and from his or her spouse is required. | | | | how you relate to each other. There are premarital |
| Most courts where children are involved require | | | | classes to research information on what marriage can |
| parenting classes. In Florida there are (2) legally | | | | mean for you. Consider a "prenuptial agreement" to |
| acceptable reasons for divorce. They are: if a party is | | | | determine the economic issues if one dies or the |
| declared legally incompetent for over (3) years or the | | | | marriage ends. Is your marriage "irretrievably broken" |
| marriage is "irretrievably broken" This means there is | | | | or will counsel help? |
| nothing that the court can do. If there are children and | | | | |