Divorce in Jacksonville Florida

Jacksonville FL Divorce Lawyers

Traditionally, the legal process of divorce could often times provide an incentive for one or both of the parties involved to place blame, and this could  fan the flames of contention and ill will in many cases. This was due to the legal ground of divorce alleging fault, which when proven, could impact the decision making of the court in terms of matters like child custody and subsequent support payments and potential alimony or spousal support. Many states still use this system, but the state of Florida has adopted a no-fault approach to divorce proceedings. In fact, the term “divorce” is not used at all. The proceeding that is typically known as divorce is called “dissolution of marriage” in the Sunshine State, and the only ground for divorce other than mental incapacity is the contention that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”

One thing worth emphasizing is that filing for a dissolution of marriage in the state of Florida should be viewed as an absolute last resort. Most couples recognize this and take pause before making a snap decision, cognizant of the fact that there are a number of people who will be impacted by the matter, especially any children involved. Extended family members and grandparents also feel the affects of a dissolution, and most married couples rely on the shared contributions of both partners to maintain the lifestyles that they enjoy. A dissolution of marriage may fix some problems on the one hand, but cause others at the same time, so every aspect of the matter should be given very careful consideration.

That having been said, filing a dissolution of marriage petition may be the best course of action for some people after they have done everything possible to try to salvage their marriage. And when the former couple involved is willing to work together to arrange terms that are in the best interest of all concerned, the matter can be resolved with minimal stress and no hard feeling. Of course this is the preferred outcome, but in cases when no common ground can be found, the matter will rest in the hands of the legal system.

If you are interested in filing for a divorce, or dissolution of marriage as it is called in the state, contact a Jacksonville FL divorce attorney for a free consultation.