Consumer and Family Law

"No Fault Divorce" or Dissolution of Marriage

North Port lawyer, James Keim, offers uncontested dissolution of marriage legal representation for a single flat rate fee that includes the filing fee. Please call to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation to learn about the process of obtaining a Florida no-fault divorce known as “dissolution of marriage.”

The process of separating from a spouse and moving on with life should not be further complicated by expensive attorney fees and long, drawn out legal battles. If you and your spouse agree that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” and can come to common terms on the division of assets and child custody and visitation issues, then an uncontested dissolution of marriage may be right for you. I provide basic uncontested dissolution of marriage legal services for a simple flat rate fee that includes the filing fee. Please feel free to call North Port divorce lawyer, James Keim, at (941) 426-7900 to schedule an appointment and discuss the process of dissolution of marriage during a free, confidential consultation.

At your free initial consultation, you will learn about the dissolution of marriage process in Florida. It is important to note that, in providing legal representation in uncontested dissolution of marriage cases, the law firm may only represent either the husband or the wife but not both. This is true, and this ethical rule must be followed by the attorney and law firm, even if the husband and wife agree on every aspect of the divorce. The spouse who is not being represented by the law firm will be asked by the attorney to sign an acknowledgement and waiver stating that he or she understands that the law firm does not represent him or her, and that he or she has the right to seek independent advice from another attorney of their own choosing if he or she so desires.

Preparation of the Petition, Financial Affidavits and Marital Property Settlement Agreement

Once the petitioning husband or wife has retained the law firm and paid the flat rate fee for legal services, they will complete a questionnaire that permits the attorney to prepare the petition for dissolution of marriage, financial affidavits, marital property settlement agreement and other necessary documents for the handling and filing of the case.

The Final Hearing

Once your case is filed with the Clerk of Court, a hearing will be scheduled before a judge. At this hearing, you and / or your spouse will be required to produce identification that establishes proof of Florida residency of at least one of the parties to the marriage (normally a driver’s license) and will be asked a series of questions by the judge. One of these questions is whether you agree that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Under Florida law, the judge will not grant a dissolution of marriage unless the marriage is irretrievably broken (or a determination is made that one of the parties to the marriage is mentally incapacitated).

Entry of Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage

Following the hearing, the judge will enter a judgment of dissolution of marriage, officially ending your marriage in the eyes of the law, and each spouse will be considered single and unmarried at that point in time.

 

To discuss divorce or dissolution of marriage and learn more about your options, please feel free to call North Port divorce lawyer James Keim

for a free initial consultation (941) 426-7900