How Do Christian Wives and Husbands Navigate Divorce?

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As Christians, we are taught that marriage is forever. Living in a fallen world, sometimes Divorce is the best option for everyone involved. Of course, when we make vows to our spouse in front of God and our loved ones, we aren’t anticipating the end of our marriage. Relationships are hard work. Our Orlando Divorce Attorneys are here to help you navigate the Family Law process in a healthy way.

Perhaps you are a Christian wife or husband who doesn’t want to even consider the possibility of Divorce. After all, The Bible says Divorce is not God’s best. So, you want to reconcile the marriage and have faith that it can be restored.

However, it takes commitment from both spouses to maintain a successful marriage. Is your husband or wife willing to make an intentional effort to improve your relationship? Where is your husband or wife spiritually? If both of you are people of faith and open to exploring reconciliation, this can be brought up in the beginning stages of your case and during the Mediation process.

Part of Florida law requires that all Dissolution of Marriage cases be brought to Mediation prior to going to Court. This means that before you sit in front of a Judge, you can try to resolve specific issues in a neutral setting with your attorney and your spouse’s attorney present, as well as the mediator. Being a believer myself, I am comfortable expressing support of repairing the marriage in circumstances where it is appropriate and safe for all parties and any children involved.

Here at The Marks Law Firm, P.A., we believe in marriage and forgiveness. However, in some cases, Divorce is inescapable.

If you have done everything in your power to save your relationship, even when the Divorce proceeds, there is no condemnation. Your spouse may not be open to counseling or other potential solutions. Remember, we can only control our own responses and decisions. It is not up to us how our spouse behaves in regard to the marriage or Family Law process.

We encourage you to have hope for the future. There is life after Divorce. God does not want us to live in seasons of suffering. He wants us to prosper, offer grace to one another, and treat each day as a gift.

Watch our YouTube video HERE.

Listen to our Podcast HERE.

It is our Mission: “To Honor God and Faithfully Represent our Clients with Great Leadership, Attitude, Excellence and Teamwork.”

To speak with one of our experienced Family Law Attorneys, please call our office at 407-872-3161.

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Communicating with the Neutrals in a Collaborative Case

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Florida’s Collaborative Process is a neutral process where both parties agree on an alternative to litigation. Potential candidates for Collaborative Law include spouses and unmarried parents who have at least some common goals, a genuine desire to protect their minor children from the Divorce process, as well as those who are intentional about being solution-focused.

Who are the Collaborative Neutrals? In a Collaborative setting, two neutrals are present throughout Team meetings with both parties and their Family Law Collaborative Attorneys. The Mental Health Neutral serves as the Facilitator, meaning he or she will in essence run each Collaborative Team Meeting. Both parties will work with the Mental Health Neutral to complete the Parenting Plan. As a Neutral, the Mental Health Professional will consider goals that are in the best interest of the minor children, rather than just the wishes of the Family Law Clients.

Known as a more private approach to Family Law, sensitive financial documents in a Collaborative case do not need to be filed publicly with the Court. Instead, the Financial Neutral will assist both parties in preparing the financial affidavit, mandatory disclosure, equitable distribution worksheet, etc. Examples of qualified and Collaboratively trained Financial Neutrals are Certified Public Accountants, Forensic Accountants, or Business Valuation Experts.

What separates Collaborative Neutrals from the Collaboratively trained Family Law Attorneys?

While Orlando Family Law Attorneys in a Collaborative case are not considered opposing counsel, they are still ethically obligated to advocate for their respective Client and not for the other party. Confidentiality between Clients and their attorneys is still a priority. However, in circumstances where Clients meet with their Mental Health Neutral or Financial Neutral, confidentiality is not required.

According to the Florida Supreme Court, all Family Law Attorneys must provide Collaborative Law as an option to all prospective Family Law Clients as an alternative to the traditional litigation model. However, not all Family Law Attorneys in Florida are Collaboratively trained. Our Team at The Marks Law Firm, P.A. – Family Law & Divorce Attorneys is dedicated to navigating the Divorce process in a way that honors everyone involved and we believe that Collaborative Law offers our Clients an opportunity to resolve their case in a way that is peaceful and amicable. All of our Family Law Attorneys are Collaboratively trained and are here to help you.

If you have questions regarding communicating with the neutrals in a Collaborative case, or would like to speak with one of our Orlando Family Law Attorneys about the Collaborative Process, please call our office at (407) 872-3161.

Watch our YouTube Video HERE.

Listen to our Podcast HERE.

It is our Mission: “To Honor God and Faithfully Represent our Clients with Great Leadership, Attitude, Excellence and Teamwork.”

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Collaborative Law: A Brief History and Overview

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Florida’s Collaborative Law Process Act came to be in 2016, but the original concept for Collaborative Law came from Minnesota by an Attorney named Stuart Webb in 1990. He realized the importance of personal relationships in the legal process. Attorney Webb believed the litigation process could be harmful to spouses and families.

Did you know, our very own Attorney Matt Capstraw contributed to the Collaborative Law Process Act in Florida? For more on his involvement, check out Attorney Capstraw’s profile HERE.

According to Florida Statute 61, the purpose of Collaborative Law in Florida is “to preserve the integrity of marriage and to safeguard meaningful family relationships, promote the amicable settlement of disputes that arise between parties to a marriage, and mitigate the potential harm to the spouses and their children caused by the process of legal dissolution of marriage.”

While traditional litigation and mediation involve two Family Law Attorneys who act as opposing counsel in a Divorce, the Collaborative Process utilizes a Team to help resolve the case in a peaceful and productive manner. Benefits of the Collaborative Law Process include but are not limited to: Goal centered and solution-oriented meetings as well as the opportunity to protect minor children from the Divorce process.

Who makes up a Collaborative Team?

Family Law Attorneys: Unlike the litigation or mediation processes, in a Collaborative divorce, the Orlando Family Law Attorneys work together in order to assist both spouses reach an amicable and peaceful resolution.

Mental Health Counselor: In a Collaborative setting, the Mental Health Neutral serves as the facilitator. He or she will facilitate the Collaborative meetings and make sure common goals of both spouses remain top of mind among the Team during the case.

Financial Professional: To preserve the privacy of the spouses and their family, the Financial Neutral maintains the financial affidavits of both parties, rather than the parties filing the document as part of public records. Any amounts relating to Alimony are also kept private in a Collaborative case.

In some cases, especially in situations where the parties are in need of additional assistance, the Collaborative Team is able to bring in Allied Professionals as well.

Potential Allied Professionals

Realtors: Collaboratively trained Real Estate professionals are able to assist in the valuation of the marital home, determine potential rental costs, etc.

Florida Ethics Rules require all Divorce Attorneys to present Collaborative Law as an option to potential Family Law Clients during the initial consultation. However, not all Family Law Attorneys have Collaborative experience or training.

All of our Orlando Lawyers at The Marks Law Firm, P.A. – Family Law & Divorce Attorneys are Collaboratively trained and are active members of The Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida. Our Team recognizes the true value of this process.

Watch our YouTube Video HERE.

Listen to our Podcast HERE.

It is our Mission: “To Honor God and Faithfully Represent our Clients with Great Leadership, Attitude, Excellence and Teamwork.”

To learn more about the Collaborative Process, call our office at (407) 872-3161.

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What Happens When a Christian Husband Wants a Divorce?

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In marriage, sometimes we go through difficult seasons. Life as Christians does not mean that we won’t experience trials or endure challenges. Perhaps you have been trying to work on your relationship for months or even years. Even still, you have reached a breaking point and feel like you don’t love your wife anymore. Divorce is on your mind. Our Team at The Marks Law Firm, P.A. – Family Law & Divorce Attorneys Orlando can help you through the process.

Being a Christian husband, you take what the bible says seriously. Feelings of guilt, loss, and regret may arise as you are a believer. As a Family Law Attorney who believes in marriage, I often ask my Clients if there is anything they can do to save their relationship with their spouse. Our Central Florida Divorce Attorneys encourage reconciliation in situations where it is possible, appropriate, and safe for both parties.

To get to place where the marriage can be restored, you may want to consider counseling with a Christian therapist, who has a biblical worldview. Ephesians 5:25 says “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Being willing to sacrifice and compromise will help you make your wife and children a priority.

If you have done everything in your power to move forward as a couple and divorce still seems like the best option, think about how you want to proceed with your case. There are other options than traditional litigation. Florida requires all Family Law Clients be informed of the mediation process as well as Collaborative Law.

When two spouses would like navigate divorce in a way that is amicable, voluntary, confidential, and outside of Court, Collaborative Law is encouraged. During Collaborative Team Meetings, you sit in the same room with your wife and your Collaborative Team–which includes the attorneys, mental health neutral, financial neutral, and in some cases, allied professionals (such as realtors.) Everyone works together toward a resolution through goal setting. The process is peaceful, and often protects the wellbeing of the minor children.

Watch our YouTube Video HERE.

Listen to our Podcast HERE.

It is our Mission: “To Honor God and Faithfully Represent our Clients with Great Leadership, Attitude, Excellence and Teamwork.”

For more information on the collaborative process, call our office at (407) 872-3161. Our Collaboratively trained attorneys would be happy to assist you.

Common Misconceptions of Divorce

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In our society today, it can sometimes be difficult to avoid the influence of media and television. While we know that many real-life circumstances are portrayed with exaggeration and embellishment, the lines between reality and fantasy are often blurred. The divorce process is regularly explored in film, sitcoms, and even reality television. However, have you ever wondered just how much of what we see on television is an accurate representation of family law?

Below are a few common misconceptions of the divorce process.

All cases require both parties to attend court proceedings: This statement is false. In the state of Florida, mediation is a required part of the divorce process. What does this mean? Spouses (and their attorneys, if legal representation has been retained) meet with a neutral professional in an effort to resolve the case. During mediation, each spouse has the opportunity to make decisions and have a direct impact on the outcome of their case. Rather than rely on a Judge to come to a final ruling, mediation allows couples to explore solutions that work best for everyone involved.

Child custody arrangements only revolve around an every other weekend schedule: On television, we see this custody arrangement displayed more often than not. Timesharing, formerly known as Child Custody is more complex and personal than an every other weekend schedule. In some divorce cases, one parent may have the children during the week, while the other is awarded weekends, or there may be a 50/50 timesharing schedule, or something in between. Each family dynamic is unique, and timesharing is determined by taking many factors into consideration such as work schedules, living arrangements, etc. Before initiating a divorce, you may want to communicate any expectations regarding timesharing with your spouse.

Once you begin the steps to initiate your divorce, reconciliation is no longer an option: While some attorneys may not support the opportunity to reconcile with your spouse, our Team at The Marks Law Firm, P.A. encourages reconciliation when appropriate. We gladly refer our Clients to trusted marriage counselors and other professionals who would positively impact the marriage. Our experienced family law attorneys are committed to serving Clients in a way that honors God and what is best for the family. Several of our Former Clients have withdrawn their divorce petitions in favor of reconciliation.

It is our Mission: “To Honor God and Faithfully Represent our Clients with Great Leadership, Attitude, Excellence and Teamwork.”

To speak with one of our attorneys about the steps in the divorce process, contact us to schedule a consultation today.

 

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Three Things You Should Know Before Filing for Divorce

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While in many cases, divorce allows former spouses to move forward from conflict, reevaluate priorities, and learn to co-parent efficiently, the early stages of separation can be challenging. If you or someone you know is considering divorce, we encourage you to become more familiar with the process.

Before filing for divorce, you should be aware of the following:

1. Options that would meet your specific needs: Do you have minor children? Have you heard about parenting plans? Are you familiar with collaborative divorce? Did you know that mediation is generally required in the state of Florida? These are all questions to ask yourself before pursuing the divorce process.

For parents with children, it is important to consider how to navigate co-parenting successfully. The two of you should be on the same page regarding important timelines and the overall needs of your family. Children often have full schedules including school engagements, after school activities, etc. Also, it is important to make sure birthdays and holidays are accounted for in your conversations and development of a parenting plan. Perhaps you and your former spouse have a general idea of how many overnight visits each of you would like with the children. Discussing such details in the beginning of the divorce process may alleviate tension as you move forward.

In order to avoid court fees and increased wait times to appear in front of a judge, mediation is an imperative step in Florida divorce proceedings. Unlike a full trial, meditation is typically resolved with attorneys and an impartial (third-party) mediator. This route allows former spouses to directly contribute to solutions that will impact the outcome of their case.

As suggested by its name, collaborative divorce involves an environment where both parties work together with trained professionals to come to a resolution in the best interest of the family as a whole. When couples choose collaborative divorce, they work with an entire team including the attorneys on both sides, a mediator, financial professional and mental health counselor.

2. Potential timelines for a resolution: According to DivorceNet, on average a divorce case can take 6 months + to complete. Timelines are often determined by how long it takes for parties to agree on child support payments, custody (timesharing), visitation, division of property and debts, and alimony. Cases where former couples can come to an agreement rather quickly may be resolved in a matter of weeks.

3. Associated costs: In addition to initial consultation fees, many attorneys have specific hourly rates depending on certifications, years of experience, educational background, etc. When you are searching for an attorney to represent you in your divorce, you may want to ask about the costs that will accumulate throughout your case.

Should you be interested in discussing further details of divorce or dissolution of marriage, contact us today.

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8 Concerns for People Facing a High Net Worth Divorce

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If you own significant assets, generate substantial income, and are facing divorce, the following article could salvage a large portion of your net worth.

In divorce, the more you make, the more you have at stake. Unless you have an ironclad prenuptial agreement, up to 50% of any net worth accumulated during your marriage could belong to your spouse – and maybe more.
The following eight tips will help you understand how to protect yourself through the divorce process.

1. Use valuation specialists if necessary. If you own a business, your business could be an asset subject to division upon divorce. This means you will have to determine the value, which likely includes the blood, sweat, and tears (aka goodwill) you’ve poured into it over time. Never enter into settlement negotiations for divorce without first knowing the actual value of assets like a business, professional practice or real estate.

2. Consider a forensic accountant. In many cases, spouses comingle funds or assets, which can give those assets a mixed characterization and make pinpointing the source difficult. Using a forensic account to trace funds and assets may be necessary.

3. Evaluate the strength of your prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. If you plan to handle your divorce as outlined in a prenuptial agreement, be sure it is well-drafted. If you’ve failed to disclose any assets or failed to have your prenuptial agreement executed under the proper conditions, your prenuptial agreement could be invalidated along with its terms.

4. Consider the tax consequences of your divorce. Transferring assets by way of divorce almost always involves significant tax consequences for high net worth individuals. Your divorce attorney should collaborate with your accountant to ensure any asset transfers as a result of your divorce are structured to mitigate as much tax liability as possible.

5. Understand your potential alimony obligation. If you generate substantially more income than your spouse, and your spouse needs financial support, you could end up with a significant alimony obligation. Alimony payments have tax implications for both the receiving and paying spouse so you want to be sure you can negotiation an alimony agreement that will be favorable to your overall financial picture.

6. Understand the implications of marital waste. Since your marriage has been on the rocks, is your spouse suddenly spending more? Is your spouse funneling marital assets into accounts for which you don’t have access?

It is not uncommon for high net worth individuals to experience this type of behavior from their spouse, or even be tempted to do the same. Thankfully, the law doesn’t allow the waste of marital resources to go unaccounted for, and with the proper guidance of a family law attorney you can take appropriate steps to prevent the unnecessary loss of assets and income.

7. Consider the cost of attorney’s fees (for you and your spouse). If your spouse has little to no income, and your income is substantial, you can expect to pay some amount of their attorney’s fees if you are the spouse seeking the divorce. Treat your divorce like a business decision. Plan how much you are willing to spend to get a reasonable divorce settlement and stick to that decision. Your net worth will thank you.

8. Calculate the cost of your divorce. Would you spend $20 on a $21 dispute? Of course not. Know the value of your fight. Do you want to spend tens of thousands of dollar (or more) on a dispute you could settle for the same amount? You’ll end up spending double what you’d pay, just to fight over the value. While it may be difficult to put your emotions aside and compromise, considering settlement could save you tens of thousands of dollars.

To learn more about how you can reduce the risk of diminishing your net worth as a result of divorce, click here to request a consultation or call 407-872-3161 to speak with one of our Orlando Divorce Attorneys today.

Attention Florida Business Owners Facing Divorce

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If you are a business owner, and you are considering divorce, read this first.

Under to Florida Statute 61.075, property owned by you and your spouse falls in one of two categories: marital or nonmarital.

Specifically, marital property typically includes:

  • Assets and liabilities accrued during your marriage, whether accrued individually or jointly.
  • The enhancement of value and appreciation of nonmarital assets as a result of either spouse during the marriage or from the investment of marital funds or other forms of marital assets, or both.
  • Gifts given between spouses during the marriage.
  • All vested and nonvested benefits, rights, and funds earned during the marriage in retirement, pension, profit-sharing, annuity, deferred compensation, and insurance plans and programs.
  • All real property held by spouses as tenants by the entireties, whether acquired before or during the marriage is considered a marital asset.
  • All personal property titled jointly by spouses as tenants by the entireties, whether acquired before or during the marriage, is considered a marital asset.

The Statute also states that nonmarital property includes:

  • Assets and liabilities accrued by either spouse before the marriage, along with assets and liabilities accrued in exchange for those assets and liabilities.
  • Assets acquired separately by either spouse by gift (not between spouses or to the spouses as a couple, but as individuals), bequest, devise, or descent, and assets accrued in exchange for those assets.
  • All income earned from nonmarital assets during the marriage unless the income was treated, used, or relied upon by the spouses as a marital asset.
  • Assets and liabilities excluded from marital assets and liabilities by valid written agreement of the spouses, and assets or liabilities accrued in exchange for those assets and liabilities.
  • Any liability incurred by forgery or unauthorized signature of one spouse signing the name of the other spouse. That liability shall be a nonmarital liability of the spouse committing the forgery or having attached the unauthorized signature alone.

So what does that mean if you start or acquire a business while married?

Does your spouse have an interest?

What if you owned the business before you got married, does your spouse have an interest then?

The answer could be yes in all cases.

Let us explain.

As the factors outlined above suggest, if you started your business during your marriage, your spouse could have a marital interest in your business because all assets and liabilities accrued during your marriage are usually deemed marital.

But, your spouse could also have an interest in your business if your nonmarital business asset was converted into a marital interest because funds (or some other asset) earned by either spouse during the marriage was used to enhance or increase the value of the business.

Essentially, if you own a business and your wife contributed to the growth of your business financially or enhanced the value of the business in some other way, she could have an interest in your business upon divorce.

Determining whether or not a nonmarital business asset has become a marital asset requires a detailed and expert legal analysis. In fact, an experienced family law attorney should recruit the expertise of a business valuation expert or CPA to determine the value of the business for the purpose of divorce.

If you’re not sure where you stand, seek quality legal counsel to provide you guidance.

To learn more about whether or not your spouse could have a marital interest in your business, click here to request a consultation or call 407-872-3161 to speak with one of our Orlando Divorce Attorneys today.

 

How do I Protect My Assets in a Divorce?

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Divorce requires a division of assets acquired during the marriage, so you can’t keep every asset you own out of your spouse’s hands. Knowing that, is there any way to protect your assets in Divorce?

Obtain a Prenuptial Agreement

A prenuptial agreement is an agreement between future spouses that sets forth the rights and obligations of each spouse upon divorce, death, and even during the marriage. In your prenuptial agreement make sure you designate your business as non-marital property. If you’re currently married, you may be able to achieve the same result by obtaining a post-nuptial agreement.

A postnuptial agreement is an agreement drafted after marriage but serves the same purpose as a prenuptial agreement. Having said that, if you’re currently contemplating divorce, a postnuptial agreement will likely not be very useful to you. Once a divorce is imminent a postnuptial agreement becomes a separation agreement, which doesn’t mean you’re business will be protected.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are very specific documents that require experienced legal insight when drafting. Simply missing one essential element in drafting and executing a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can render the entire thing void – and for you useless.

Consider a claim for an unequal distribution

Florida is an equitable distribution state which, based on some factors requires spouses to divide their assets “fairly.”

However, where one spouse rightly deserves total ownership of a business that is subject to division in divorce, the court must consider whether it is actually more equitable to allow one spouse to retain a “business, corporation, or professional practice, intact and free from any claim or interference by the other [spouse].”

If your business is at risk in your divorce, this could be one way to protect it. Be sure to speak with an experienced family law attorney to determine whether or not unequal distribution applies to your case.

Reconcile with Your Spouse

Now, don’t get this wrong. We are not suggesting you stay married just to protect your business. But maybe the challenges you’re facing as a result of your prospective divorce can serve as a catalyst for evaluating whether or not you want to sever the very things you and your spouse have built together?

Perhaps your marriage is salvageable?

Perhaps with the right help it could thrive?

Reconciliation isn’t always an option, but you should be sure it isn’t before you pursue the path of divorce. As strange as it that sounds coming from divorce lawyers – take our word for it.

To learn more about how you can protect your business if you’re facing divorce, click here to request a consultation or call 407-872-3161 to speak with one of our Orlando Divorce Attorneys today.

Does it Matter if My spouse had an Affair in a Florida Divorce?

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Most states are “no-fault” divorce states. This traditional grounds (or reasons) like adultery, cruelty, or abandonment are not required to obtain a divorce. Simply state your reason for divorce and the court will accept it.

That doesn’t mean, however that bad behavior is without consideration in your divorce.

Under Florida’s Equitable Distribution Statute 61.075, any “marital waste” suffered as a result of your spouse’s behavior (after or within 2 years prior to filing for divorce) can be considered in the distribution of assets in your divorce.

For example, if your spouse spent extreme amounts of money gambling, on drug use, or extramarital affairs a court could consider these facts in distributing your assets and liabilities for the purposes of equitable distribution.

In extreme cases, proven marital waste could lead a judge to order an unequal equitable distribution (meaning you get more than your fair share of distribution). However, you must request unequal distribution based on marital waste to receive it.

So, yes. In some cases, your spouse’s extramarital affair or the waste of marital assets could impact the outcome of your divorce.

For more on how marital waste can impact your divorce and divorce settlement, click here to download our free guide How to Avoid an Unfair Divorce Settlement.

Whether you’re facing a challenging divorce trial or expect a quick divorce settlement, working with an experienced divorce attorney who understands the intricacies of family law is vital to obtain the most favorable outcome possible in divorce.

To determine whether or not your divorce case involves a valid claim for marital waste, click here to request a consultation or call 407-872-3161 to speak with one of our Orlando Divorce Attorneys today.