Tampa Florida Family Law Blog

Anyone in Florida who has ever gone through a divorce probably knows that there isn't exactly a right time to begin the process. In many cases, the divorce simply occurs whenever it becomes obviously that the marriage in question cannot be saved, and that the spouses would be better off without each other. However, a recent report noted a trend that, based on some statistical studies, seems to have merit: divorce filings oftentimes spike in January.

The report noted that in certain states, including Florida, the month-to-month comparison between divorce filings in December and January does indeed show an increase in the number of divorce filings in the first month of the year. There could be any number of reasons why states throughout the country see this increase in January. The recent article noted that, for some people, the start of the new year is a time when they reflect and believe that they will be better off with a new start, and that includes with their relationship.

Couples who have minor children and who are going through a divorce have many different concerns as the case proceeds through the family law court system. Both soon-to-be ex-spouses may be worried about how long the divorce case might take -- which is usually longer when children are involved. They may also both be worried about the costs involved in the divorce. But, primarily, the parents, despite their own disagreements, usually want what is best for the children. The problem is, the parents oftentimes do not agree on what that is.

Visitation issues, in particular, can be difficult to address. Unless the divorcing spouses work out some type of arrangement on their own that they both feel is mutually beneficial, it will be up to the family court judge to decide child custody and visitation issues. While joint custody is the preference, that is not always possible. Sometimes, one parent will get primary custody and the other will get visitation rights.

Child custody is one of the most difficult aspects of a divorce. It is not easy for two Florida parents to agree on what is best for their children, especially when they are already dealing with the complex emotions that come with the end of a marriage. The holidays can exacerbate these feelings and make it even more difficult to make things work for the sake of the children.

If you are going through a divorce, you may want to give careful consideration to how holiday visitation will work after the process is final. It is beneficial to include this in your custody order, as these details can help you avoid conflict in the future. There are several ways you can ease the stress of this time of year and give your children the ability to enjoy continuity of lifestyle. 

A divorce can be one of the most impactful events in a Floridian's life. There is no denying the complete change that can go into effect for a man or woman who is ending a marriage to go on with their separate life, sometimes, after years of being married. As important as a divorce case is, it is important to avoid mistakes.

A recent news article pointed out some mistakes that men, in particular, make when it comes to divorce cases, but some of the mistakes noted in the article should equally be avoided by women as well. One of the primary mistakes the article points to are the discussions -- and promises -- made between the soon-to-be ex-spouses, both before and during the actual legal proceedings of the divorce case. If, for example, one said they were going to give some asset to the spouse, the promisor better believe they will be held to that promise in the courtroom.