Embarking on a divorce is rarely easy, even when both parties agree on the terms. When you go through a divorce, there are several factors to consider. Some of the most important ones are children, finances, who will live in the house, and what happens to the pets. For example, a common concern people have is that moving out of their house means abandoning their rights to the house.
What Happens During the Initial Consultation
The initial consultation is where you will discuss the facts of your case with an attorney. Some information you will need to bring to the consultation includes:
- The date the marriage was made legally official
- How many years you and your spouse have been married
- The dates of birth and social security numbers of you, your spouse and your children
What to Consider with Children
One major aspect of divorce is deciding what happens with any children involved. The attorney may ask who takes care of the children, how you are currently timesharing with the children, and whether you have discussed future timesharing plans. There are also financial aspects to consider:
- Do the children attend private school? If so, do you want them to continue in private school? Can you afford private school after the divorce?
- Who pays for the children’s health care insurance?
- Are the children in day care? If so, who pays for it?
Reviewing Your Career and Background
The next step will be looking into your careers and background. The attorney will ask how much you and your spouse make. If one of you is unemployed, the attorney will ask what jobs you have had in the last five years and how much you made. They will also want to know your education history.
Discussing Each Spouse’s Finances
Next, you will discuss finances. Your attorney will want to know if you had assets and debts prior to the marriage. They may ask if you inherited anything during the marriage or received any gifts during the marriage and how those assets are currently titled. The more information and documentation you have ahead of time, the better.
Going Over Your Assets
The next step is a deeper dive into assets. The attorney will ask about the value of your house and whether there are mortgages or equity lines of credit on the house. Then, they will ask about assets and debts, which may include the following:
- Credit card debt
- Car loans
- Personal Loans
- Investments
- Cash
The following statutes may come up in conversation: Florida Statute 61.075 on Equitable Distribution, 61.08 on Alimony, 61.16 on Attorney’s Fees, and 61.13 on Best Interest of the Child.
This is an idea of what you can expect during your initial consultation with an attorney regarding a divorce in the Orlando area. If you have more questions regarding a Marital and Family Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney client privilege.