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