Name: What is a Legal Separation?
Uploaded: 2020-08-04
Duration: 1 min 20 s

Divorce

What is a Legal Separation?
- Firm Name: Sessums Law Group, P.A.
  
  Duration: 01:20
  
  Date: 2020-08-04
  
  Legal separation is a specific status similar to divorce, for couples who don’t plan to resume their marital relationship but aren’t ready to dissolve their marriage. The only difference between legal separation and divorce is that legally separated parties aren’t free to remarry. A Tampa family law attorney can explain how Florida treats legal separation and help you determine if it might be a reasonable alternative to divorce. For more information and assistance in the legal separation process, contact Sessums Law Group.

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Will I Have to Pay Alimony in My Divorce?
- In Florida, judges calculate alimony using formulas based on earnings, living expenses, assets, and debts. But a judge can also consider the length of the marriage, the age of each spouse, each spouse’s earning capacity, and whether the supported spouse is caring for young children. If you have specific questions about your potential obligation to pay alimony, an experienced Tampa family law attorney in your area can provide answers.
How Much Alimony Will I Get in My Divorce?
- Most courts decide whether to order alimony payments — and in what amount — based on a formula set by state law. These formulas take a variety of factors into consideration. You and your spouse can also negotiate an alimony settlement and ask the court to approve it. An experienced Tampa family law attorney can help you understand the alimony process.
How is Property Divided in Divorce?
- Generally, spouses are allowed to keep their separate property ― assets they owned before the marriage and gifts or inheritance they received before, during, or after the marriage. Property acquired during the marriage — such as income, savings, retirement accounts, stocks, bonds, cars, homes, and furnishings — is considered shared property, and divided between the spouses. If you have questions about property division in Florida, a local Tampa divorce attorney can provide specific guidance.
Do Contested Divorces Cost More Than Uncontested Divorces?
- It is difficult to predict how much your divorce will cost, because so much depends on the particular facts, but the overriding factor is whether your divorce is contested or uncontested. The cost of a contested divorce can escalate quickly, so it’s important to work closely with your Tampa divorce attorney to reduce expenses where you can. For more information on how the divorce attorneys of Sessums Law Group, P.A. can assist you during the divorce process, visit our Divorce page.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Divorce?
- The total cost of a divorce depends on the complexity of the case and whether the spouses can work together. Attorney rates depend on experience level and the market for legal services in your area. To reduce costs, spouses can try mediation, which is often less expensive. A local Tampa divorce attorney can explain the specific costs for your particular case. For more information on how the divorce attorneys of Sessums Law Group, P.A. can assist you during the divorce process, visit our Divorce page.
Does My Spouse Have to Agree to the Divorce?
- Married couples can disagree on anything and everything, including whether they should get a divorce. Once, a spouse’s objection made obtaining a divorce difficult or impossible, but today it’s much easier to dissolve your marriage without your spouse’s consent, by filing a “no-fault” divorce. If you’re considering divorce, a local Tampa divorce attorney at Sessums Law Group, P.A. can help you understand all of your options.
What Do I Need to Start the Divorce Process?
- The process for starting a divorce varies by Florida law and residency requirements. You might also need to live apart from your spouse for a certain time before filing. Visit your county courthouse or download a divorce petition from your court’s website. Once you’ve filled it out, you’ll need funds for the filing fee and service of process. If you have questions about how to file your petition, a local Tampa divorce attorney at Sessums Law Group, P.A. can help.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce?
- The divorce process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years, depending on Florida’s laws and your specific circumstances. Divorces with complex estates or challenging custody issues generally take longer than cases with few assets and no children. A local Tampa divorce attorney at Sessums Law Group, P.A. can help you understand the likely timeline for your particular case. For more information on how the divorce attorneys of Sessums Law Group, P.A. can guide you through the divorce process, read our page about Understanding Florida Divorce Law and Procedures.
How Do I File For Divorce?
- In Florida, you begin by completing a divorce “petition” or “complaint” where you provide basic information and indicate how you want the court to decide child custody, child support, property division and alimony. You should make two copies of your petition and file it in the court of the county where you or your spouse lives. If you’re considering divorce, a Tampa divorce attorney can explain your options. For more information on how the divorce attorneys of Sessums Law Group, P.A. can assist you in filing for divorce, read about The Process of Filing for a Divorce in Florida.

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