As most people are aware, divorce can be a messy and complex process. From dividing property to deciding custody matters, divorce affects every aspect of a person’s life. However, even though every divorce has its own quirks and considerations, every divorce must follow the same general process.
Filing for Divorce
Just as with any other lawsuit, a person must first file a petition with the court in order to begin the proceedings. In Florida, an individual must file a “petition for dissolution of marriage” form with the appropriate court. This petition allows the person filing the petition (petitioner) to bring forth any matter he or she may want the court to address, including property division, spousal support, child support, and child custody. Interestingly enough, because child custody matters are regulated by separate rules, a petitioner with minor children from the marriage must also file a completed Uniform Child Custody, Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) affidavit, stating that Florida has jurisdiction over the minor child.
Pre-trial Matters
Once a petition for divorce has been filed with the court, a copy of the petition must then be sent to the opposing party (respondent). Typically, a respondent will have 20 days to respond to a petition for divorce. If the spouse fails to make a response within the prescribed time limit, then the spouse may lose the right to argue his side of the case in the proceedings.
Financial Disclosure
In addition to serving the respondent with the petition, another pre-trial obligation parties to a divorce have involves financial disclosure. In Florida, parties will generally have 45 days to from the date the petition is filed to send a financial disclosure to the opposing party. This disclosure is essentially a signed affidavit that lists financial information, including, but not limited to:
-income;
-personal tax returns;
-business tax returns;
-bank account information;
-retirement plans;
-personal debt; and
-any spousal or child support orders a party is already directed to pay.
Temporary Orders
While the divorce process does have a huge effect on a person’s life, the needs and responsibilities of the parties continue. In some cases, parties may have needs that must be met before the court can even make a decision. In these situations, a party may request a temporary emergency court order. Through a temporary order, parties can address such issues as restraints on who controls and has access to property, who has custody over the children during proceedings, and whether a party can visit the opposing party.
Discovery
Just as with any other case, obtaining evidence is a crucial part of establishing, or defending against a claim. The discovery process takes place before the trial actually begins, and allows parties to not only gather facts about the case, but to also estimate the opposing party’s position. There are several tools that can be employed during the discovery process, some of which include depositions, interrogatories, and document requests.
Depositions
While each party will have the opportunity to obtain witness statements during the trial, depositions allow parties to obtain out-of-court witness statements made under oath. During the typical deposition, several parties will be present, including the party filing for a deposition, the witness, a court stenographer, and opposing counsel. While parties can obtain a wealth of information from depositions, a party can also build up a great deal of fees or costs through the deposition process.
Interrogatories
While depositions are in-person interviews with a witness or the opposing party, interrogatories are much more static. An interrogatory is a written question made to the other party. While interrogatories are an affordable and simple way to get the opposing party to obtain information, they typically do not provide too many answers, since each party is allowed only a limited number of interrogatories.
Document Requests
Each party will generally have their own set of financial and medical documents that could have some bearing on the case. Fortunately, parties are allowed to request specific documents from opposing parties in order to better support their own case. While there are documents that can be protected under certain privileges, the majority of documents, such as bank records or tax papers, will be discoverable through the court.
Settlement
While it is the court’s final decision that makes a divorce official, parties are always free to agree on their own regarding the specifics of the divorce. While an out of court agreement may not be the most feasible solution in some situations, it does carry the advantage of allowing parties to work together during the divorce. While the court does consider such matters as the value of property or the income of the parties when dividing marital property, it will not consider other aspects of property, such as sentimental value. For example, while many people may consider a pet, such as a dog or cat, to be part of the family, in the eyes of the court, the pet is just another piece of property to be divided.
Generally, before the trial begins, courts will require that the parties meet with a mediator in order to attempt to settle the case out of court. If a settlement cannot be reached by the end of this period, however, then the trial will begin.
Trial
During a trial, parties are allowed to present their own side of the matter, and may present their evidence and put forward their witnesses in order to support a case. Once a divorce case has reached this point, then it is up to the judge to rule on the petition, which includes considerations such as, how to divide property, how to decide which parent a child stays with, and whether a party will have to make support payments.