Tampa Family Law Law Blog

When people in Florida make the decision to end their marriage, it is usually a well-thought-out choice. However, there are still many factors that may be overlooked. Experts say there are several things that one can do in order to be properly prepared before filing for divorce.

Creating an inventory of one's finances is a great starting point, including a list of all assets and accounts. Having documentation for each portion of a financial portfolio is essential, and any documents that pertain to an estate plan need to be included as well. Some examples are bank statements, property inventory, credit card statements, premarital agreements or copies of an existing will. It can be extremely helpful to organize all documentation so that it is easy to locate any that are needed. They can be grouped into different categories, making them easy to access at a moment's notice.

There are a great deal of issues to contend with during divorce proceedings. The division of property, splitting assets or determining child custody and support are all common concerns for those who are navigating a divorce here in Florida. However, there are some more difficult decisions that will need to be made that many people might not even consider. One such issue is what to do with wedding and engagement rings after a marriage has ended. Experts have different opinions on how to tackle this problem.

One expert recommends consulting the other spouse before making any decisions. An offer to return the ring could be made, particularly by an ex-wife since engagement rings traditionally given to women often have a high monetary value. Though they are generally considered a gift, the sentimental value and potential for them to be worth quite a bit of money means wedding rings are very different than more common, less expensive gifts. However, this may not be the best idea in all scenarios, especially if there is reason for one spouse to have minimal contact with the other.

People who have been through a divorce know just how detailed the process can be. There are many factors that they likely didn't consider beforehand, but it can be a valuable learning experience. For those in Florida who decide to get married a second time, they may wonder how best to protect themselves and their assets should their second marriage dissolve. Experts say that creating a comprehensive prenuptial agreement is a good choice for anyone, not just those who are wealthy.

Most people who marry for a second time do so at a later point in life. This can being special concerns such as how to handle retirement accounts or who will cover certain expenses. All of these choices and more can be specifically designated in a prenuptial agreement. The agreement can also outline how assets will be handled if a divorce happens, which can be particularly useful if one spouse has entered the marriage with little to no property.

Parenting is difficult enough even in the best of circumstances. If a divorce is part of the picture, it can amplify any negativity. Even so, divorcing is sometimes the best choice for parents here in Florida and around the country. When one parent owes child support to the other, it sometimes results in disagreements over what the paying parent owes to the receiving parent. This is the case for an out-of-state lawmaker, whose ex-wife claims that he owes her several thousand dollars in overdue child support payments.

The man in this case is a state representative who is the Chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. In very simple terms, he is responsible for the management of his state's budget. He and his ex-wife divorced in 2013, and she now says that he owes her over $25,000. The amount is comprised of both child support payments and half of his children's medical expenses.